Area Manager : Alternative Distribution (Free State)

Sanlam Group; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company within the financial services sector seeks an Area Manager for Alternative Distribution in Bloemfontein. The successful candidate will oversee multiple branches, drive operational efficiency, and implement innovative business strategies. This role requires strong leadership skills, a solid financial acumen, and a proven track record in sales and branch management.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a relevant sales or management role.
• FAIS Accredited Long-term Insurance (Funeral) and Lending required.
• Strong track record in branch distribution roles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple branches, ensuring operational efficiency and strategy alignment.
• Drive business innovation and build relationships with stakeholders.
• Manage performance and compliance within the designated area.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Operational Excellence

Business Innovation

Financial Acumen

Education

Business-related degree or diploma

Grade 12 / Matric

Job description

Job title : Area Manager : Alternative Distribution (Free State)

Job Location : Free State, Bloemfontein Deadline : July 20, 2025 Quick Recommended Links

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What will you do?

• The purpose of an Area Manager is to oversee and manage multiple branches within a specific geographic region, ensuring operational efficiency, performance, and strategic alignment with organizational goals through business insurance and lending
• Contribute to the implementation of geographical Alternative Distribution channel’s retail branch strategy
• Demonstrate inspirational leadership to support and manage Branch Managers
• Drive business innovation through partnerships with identified partners within the group.
• Support the implementation of the Area strategic plan for Alternative Distribution Channel
• Represent the ambassadorial ‘face of the Area’ in terms of community events and sales campaigns
• Embrace collaboration and synergy between all channels across segments in the designated geographical area to drive sales and market share growth
• Accountable for achievement of the Area’s profitability (VNB and expense management) for the province
• Ensure adherence to compliance and risk management for the designated area
• Ensure operational excellence within the designated area
• Support the development of talent, and drive transformation agenda.

Strategic Leadership :

• Form part of the Provincial Mancom that takes collective accountability for the decision making and leadership of the Area
• Analyse market changes, competitors, risks, opportunities and threats and create contingency plans for these in order to protect and grow market share
• Be overall accountable for the profitability and success of the designated area with respect to strategic attainment of business plans, decision making, operations, sales, compliance and customer service
• Understand the overarching Alternative Distribution channel’s retail branch strategy and vision in order to co-create (with the Branch Managers and Area Manco) and aligned national distribution strategy that incorporates all channels across the different segments

Operational Leadership :

• Provide feedback to the Provincial General Manager on the implementation of the strategic direction for the geographical area of the business unit
• Provide regular operational direction to align with strategic objectives of the Channel.
• Monitor and track branches’ operational plans
• Ensure the effective implementation of all company policies
• Follow through and provide feedback on adverse audit findings and the implementation thereof.
• Be the face of the Area (Cross Channel), an ambassador for clients, stakeholders and intermediaries in the province (relationship building, events, recognition conferences, networking, opening doors, influencing etc.)
• Positioning of Sanlam as a brand and business on provincial level in the market with key public and private market stakeholders
• Engage with industry bodies (i.e. business and community forums)
• Develop and maintain provincial business partnerships within the financial services community (including competitor liaison when required)
• Host events and functions that drive recognition
• Forge close relationships and influence with Product Houses and key HO functions on behalf of the province in order

What will make you successful in this role?

• Drive change and business innovation within the province
• Drive and support the Alternative Distribution retail branch strategy
• Act as sponsor for all major internal change initiatives (i.e. restructuring) within the area’s communication / visibility, change management and support activities
• Identify areas within the provincial operation that need to be made more effective, cost efficient or client centred; and create actions and projects to improve these through innovation
• Create a culture of innovation within the province
• Encourage and reward staff for business innovation ideas that save costs, increase value add or make processes more effective

Build and Develop Relationships, Networks and New Markets :

• Partner with the Provincial General Manager to attend and host selected client engagement opportunities (i.e. golf days, wine tasting etc.,) in order to market Sanlam
• Personally undertake to engage with and contact / network with such ‘high value’ clients / companies in support of marketing initiatives
• Look for opportunities to penetrate less utilized market segments within the region. Formulate creative value propositions and strategies to gain access to, and contract clients / leads working in these markets
• Network, build partnerships and contract internally with different Product Providers, SPF Distribution and other key stakeholders to enable the execution and support of the geographical area’s strategy
• Provide support to the Branches in implementing the service and sales strategy for all walk-in clients.
• Provide regular feedback to the Provincial General Manager.
• Play an active role in providing input to the development and implementation of Client Satisfaction tools / indices.

People Management :

Recruitment and Selection :

• Ensure that high potential talent is sourced and selected into the area to support the vision and talent succession needs
• Retention of staff as a business imperative

Diversity and Transformation :

• Embrace transformation in the area. Promote and communicate transformation as a key strategy within the area and support initiatives to achieve DTI targets and EE Targets
• Align HR practices and decisions within the area, with respect to recruitment and promotion of staff, to support transformation targets
• Recruit, groom and develop branch consultants and Management into the business for future succession planning

Train, Coach and Mentor Staff :

• Ensure all direct reports have development plans, discussions and are suitably trained for their positions
• Ensure there is ongoing and robust vesting and development of branch consultants within the designated area
• Ensure that direct reports are coached, developed and motivated to become productive and vested as soon as possible
• Act as mentor to key staff within the area

Performance Contracting and Management :

• Undertake effective performance contracting with all direct reports (Scorecards)
• Ensure updated job profiles, competency models and KPA documents for all staff
• Update and manage annual and sick leave
• Undertake staff career development and talent retention strategies

Qualification and Experience :

• Grade 12 / Matric
• A business-related degree or diploma qualification or related field (an advantage)
• FAIS Accredited Long-term Insurance (Funeral) and Lending
• Passed FAIS Regulatory Examination (RE1)
• Continuous Professional Development (CDP) complaint
• Meet al Fit and Proper requirements.
• Meet all the requirements for each Class of Business.
• At least 5 years related experience in the following but not limited : 3 years or more Long-term and or Lending experience in a sales and servicing capacity.
• A strong track record of success with prior experience in a retail branch distribution role

Knowledge and Skills :

• Sound Financial Services experience at a middle management level
• At least 3 years Sales and Distribution exposure
• At least 3 years sound management and leadership experience
• Insurance and Financial Sector Industry
• Comprehensive Long-term and Lending Product Knowledge
• FSCA and Prudential Authority Framework and Requirements
• FAIS and Consumer Acts
• POPIA, AML, KYC to mention a few
• Basic understanding of underwriting discipline
• Insurance and Financial Sector Regulatory bodies
• Ombudsman (Long-term Insurance)
• National Credit Act and Regulatory Authority

Personal Attributes

• Communicates effectively - Contributing independently
• Tech savvy - Contributing independently
• Action orientated - Contributing independently
• Interpersonal savvy - Contributing independently
• Persuades - Contributing independently
• Insurance jobs

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