ARISE Programme

Merchant West; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Merchant West is launching the ARISE Programme across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. It offers a full-time, permanent rotational path through lending, credit, operations, legal and compliance, leading to a Portfolio Manager role in the product area you choose.

No prior work experience required; the curriculum focuses on hands-on learning, client engagement, and cross-functional collaboration, preparing you for a career in finance and sales within Merchant West.

Qualifications

• Interest in Sales: demonstrated enthusiasm for selling financial products and client-facing roles.
• Passion for Finance: interest in financial services and sales in this sector.
• Communication Skills: excellent verbal and written communication to build relationships.
• Analytical Abilities: strong ability to interpret financial data and market trends.
• Adaptability: quick learner of new processes and products.
• Team Player: collaborative mindset working with internal teams.
• Attention to Detail: high accuracy in all tasks.
• Eagerness to Learn: willingness to grow in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive Business Growth: expand business, profitability, and client relationships through proactive development and cross-selling.
• Explore New Opportunities: pursue new business prospects in your product area.
• Build and Maintain a Strong Pipeline: sustain a dynamic pipeline of clients and deals.
• Capitalise on Market Trends: analyse market dynamics to seize opportunities.
• Tailor Financial Solutions: assess client needs and propose customised solutions.
• Collaborate for Success: work with internal teams to craft deals.
• Negotiate Effectively: negotiate terms advantageous for clients and Merchant West.
• Evaluate Deal Viability: assess financial feasibility and impact.
• Ensure Efficient Execution: oversee execution of new business transactions.
• Strengthen Client Relationships: nurture connections to uncover more needs and promote products.
• Quality Lead Management: deliver high-quality leads to other units.

Skills

Sales interest

Finance passion

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Adaptability

Teamwork

Detail oriented

Willingness to learn

Education

Bachelor’s degree in commerce, with a preference for Accounting, Economics, or Finance

Job description

About the role:

We’re looking for 10 ambitious individuals who are ready to take the first step in their careers by joining our ARISE Programme — an exciting full-time, permanent opportunity across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban designed to accelerate your career at Merchant West!

This rotational journey will give you hands‑on experience across our Lending businesses, equipping you with essential skills in credit analysis, operations, legal, compliance and ultimately sales. You’ll gain invaluable insights, setting the stage for you to become a top‑tier Portfolio Manager within one of our dynamic lending solutions. By the end of the programme, you’ll step into a full‑time Portfolio Manager role, specialising in the product area that fuels your passion and aligns with your strengths. If you’re ready to kickstart a rewarding career with us, this is your opportunity!

Responsibilities:

• Drive Business Growth: Play a crucial role in expanding our business, enhancing profitability, and building robust client relationships through proactive new business development, meticulous financial analysis, and strategic cross‑selling
• Explore New Opportunities: Identify and pursue fresh business prospects within your chosen product area
• Build and Maintain a Strong Pipeline: Develop and sustain a dynamic pipeline of potential clients and deals, ensuring a steady flow of opportunities
• Capitalise on Market Trends: Analyse market dynamics to seize emerging opportunities and stay ahead of the curve
• Tailor Financial Solutions: Conduct in‑depth assessments of client needs and propose customised financial solutions that align with their goals
• Collaborate for Success: Work closely with internal teams to craft deals that meet both client needs and company objectives
• Negotiate Effectively: Engage in negotiations to secure terms and conditions that are advantageous for both clients and Merchant West
• Evaluate Deal Viability: Assess the financial feasibility of proposed deals and their potential impact on overall profitability
• Ensure Efficient Execution: Oversee the smooth and timely execution of new business transactions from start to finish
• Strengthen Client Relationships: Cultivate strong connections with existing clients to uncover additional business needs and promote complementary products and services from the Merchant West Group
• Quality Lead Management: Focus on delivering high‑quality leads to other business units within the Merchant West Group, prioritising quality over quantity

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in commerce, with a preference for Accounting, Economics, or Finance

Experience:

• No prior work experience required – we’re looking for motivated individuals eager to learn and grow within a dynamic environment
• Clear criminal and credit record

Skills:

• Interest in Sales: Demonstrated enthusiasm for selling financial products and engaging in client‑facing roles
• Passion for Finance: A strong interest in financial services and a drive to develop a career in sales within this sector
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain client relationships
• Analytical Abilities: Strong analytical skills to understand and interpret financial data and market trends
• Adaptability: Ability to quickly learn and adapt to new processes and financial products
• Team Player: Collaborative mindset with a readiness to work closely with internal teams and stakeholders
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in all tasks and responsibilities
• Eagerness to Learn: Demonstrated willingness and eagerness to continuously learn and grow in a fast‑paced environment