Senior Client Investment Specialist

Purpose of the Role:

Lead and support consultant with responsibility for the provision of the full range of investment services to sophisticated clients who require the design and implementation of non-standard and/or complex solutions. Uses a wide breadth and depth of experience and sound judgment to add value through client-focused solutions, working with analysts in client teams to deliver on client projects. Supports analyst development, fosters a collegiate environment, and encourages innovation. Participate in identifying new business opportunities for potential and existing clients. Participates in external marketing initiatives (e.g., industry forums and conferences) and contributes to the development of intellectual capital. Contribute to the profitability of Alexander Forbes by providing a professional, quality service to clients; client satisfaction, retention, and expansion, through coordinating all internal and external contacts; keeping abreast of developments in industry, generating new business for the client portfolio, whilst ensuring at all times that Alexforbes' standards are maintained.

Responsibilities:

• Keep clients updated with developments in investments
• Ensure that the clients' investment strategies remain appropriate for the clients
• Maintaining ongoing relationships with all clients
• Following up on queries and resolving problems for clients
• Daily communication and correspondence with clients, both formal and informal
• Ensuring timeous response to client queries
• Maintaining existing client base
• Liaising with investment managers and other external parties when necessary
• Keeping abreast of all investment developments / self-development
• Managing the entire workflow process within the Investment administration of the portfolios/clients
• Delivering service and commitments to the client
• Building and maintaining a trust relationship with the client
• Remaining client-focused at all times
• Verbal – presentation skills to staff and senior management (trustees on funds),
• Fluent in English, ability to talk about technical subjects in layman's terms.
• Take complex information and simplify it into layman's terms.
• Written – client reports, letters to clients, email communication
• Liaises with other Alexforbes' Lines of Business to deliver a streamlined service to clients.
• Acts as a support consultant on all clients, standing in at meetings where required.
• Participation in new business presentations, assisting with pitches, and/or acting as support for all potential clients.
• Keeping abreast of investment and market-related information to keep clients updated and provide input to team discussions.
• Ad hoc analysis of platform clients (fees, assets under management/administration, investment structures, etc.).
• Plan, prepare, and complete all regular client deliveries.
• Contributes to, profile of Alexforbes Investments as a generator of leading-edge thinking in the institutional investment sector.
• Represents Alexforbes Investments at external seminars and conferences where required.
• Providing investment administration services to a number of clients, cognisant of client profitability.
• Supports senior colleagues on other client relationships.
• Participates in project related work.
• Delivers agreed upon standard and ad-hoc services to clients in a timely manner on an ongoing basis and participates in all query resolutions.
• Maintains asset manager portfolio menu and client register, and client AuM.
• Supports as appropriate in business development and marketing activities, including involvement in new business pitches, presentations, etc.
• Attends and actively participates in client meetings, driving discussion on investment issues.
• Contributes to Alexander Forbes Investments investment thought leadership as a generator of leading edge thinking in the institutional investment consulting sector, both locally and globally.
• Manages the client experience across multiple divisions within the Alexander Forbes Investments' business.
• Encourages innovation and process improvements where possible.

Qualifications:

• Degree qualifications in Finance or a related field, CFA is considered desirable.
• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
• RE 5 (Required)
• 5 – 10 years' experience
• Broad investment management and consulting experience in all areas of investments, and a good understanding of the needs of large institutional investors, including investment management providers.
• Knowledge of and experience in the asset consulting side of a range of clients, specifically retirement funds but also insurance companies, trusts, foundations, etc. an advantage.

Skills & Competencies:

Decision Making:

• Make appropriate and timely decisions

Problem Solving:

• Analyse information and select the best solution from a range of alternative solutions
• Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills
• Attention to detail, peer review processes, and project management skills.
• Capable of handling challenging client situations.

Lead, guide, and support:

• Develop and maintain the desired organisational culture
• Must have a good working knowledge of the business
• The model required leadership behaviour and values
• Strong relationship management, consulting, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Assists with strategic research projects.

Leadership Competencies:

• None required at this point, but must have an ability to follow up, manage up, and motivate other staff to deliver on required output as part of the overall coordination roles played

Strategic Competencies:

• Time management. The role often requires performing multiple tasks/work for various parties simultaneously. The employee needs to manage expectations and delivery timelines.
• Changing operational environment – need to keep up to date and understand the impact on clients.
• Building and maintaining credibility and trust with both internal and external clients
• Information gathering. Much of the project work is associated with issues outside of the usual course of business/product range, and the employee needs to be able to research/learn outside the comfort zone both quickly and competently and adapt this to the problem.

Why Join Alexforbes?

At Alexforbes, we don't just offer jobs - we build careers. Here's what makes us stand out:

Growth & Development:

• Bursary and Leadership Development Programs to help you grow professionally.
• E-Learning Forums and continuous learning opportunities.
• Financial Planning Support tailored for staff.

Rewarding Performance:

• Total Rewards Package: Competitive short- and long-term incentives.
• Power Of One: Monetary recognition for outstanding performance.
• Lead Incentives & Referral Bonuses for helping us grow our talent pool.

Comprehensive Benefits:

• Retirement Fund Contributions starting at 13% of CTC.
• Group Risk Cover: Funeral, Dread Disease, and Life Insurance.
• Medical & Gap Cover: 100% of CTC with Discovery/Bonitas (Mandatory unless you are a dependent).

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible Ways of Work: Hybrid work model to suit your lifestyle.
• Connectivity Benefit: Wi-Fi allowance.
• Employee Wellness & Assistance Programs to support your wellbeing.
• My Savings Account to help you plan for the future.

Join a company that values its people, invests in their growth, and rewards excellence. Be part of a team that's shaping the future of financial services.