Assistant Manager – Executive Performance & Reward Services (EPRS)

Apex Group; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Apex Group in Pretoria is seeking an Assistant Manager to support the EPRS division, overseeing portfolios of employee benefit trusts and share plans. You will supervise junior team members and liaise with clients, lawyers, tax advisers and banks to ensure timely, compliant delivery of services.

Your role requires strong governance understanding, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple client needs across jurisdictions in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a portfolio of clients within trust or fiduciary services.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate clearly with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee administration of employee benefit trusts, share plans, nominee arrangements and related entities.
• Coordinate and review client deliverables and regulatory obligations to meet deadlines and service standards.
• Provide day-to-day supervision, coaching and workload allocation to junior staff.
• Act as escalation point for operational/technical matters and liaise with clients and external parties.
• Ensure adherence to Apex policies, procedures, controls and compliance requirements.

Skills

Portfolio management

Team supervision

Regulatory compliance

Client relationship management

English communication

Education

Professional qualification in trust administration

Job description

The Apex Group was established in Bermuda in 2003 and is now one of the world’s largest fund administration and middle office solutions providers.Our business is unique in its ability to reach globally, service locally and provide cross-jurisdictional services. With our clients at the heart of everything we do, our hard-working team has successfully delivered on an unprecedented growth and transformation journey, and we are now represented by over circa 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide.Your career with us should reflect your energy and passion.That’s why, at Apex Group, we will do more than simply ‘empower’ you. We will work to supercharge your unique skills and experience.Take the lead and we’ll give you the support you need to be at the top of your game. And we offer you the freedom to be a positive disrupter and turn big ideas into bold, industry-changing realities.For our business, for clients, and for youAssistant Manager – Executive Performance & Reward Services (EPRS)Role PurposeTo support the management and delivery of a portfolio of clients within the EPRS division, including employee benefit trusts, employee share plans, nominee arrangements and associated corporate structures. The Assistant Manager will take day-to-day ownership of allocated client matters, supervise and review the work of junior team members and act as a key point of contact between the South African administration team, client-facing teams and external stakeholders.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop a detailed understanding of allocated client portfolios, governing documentation, share plans and client-specific requirements;Plan, coordinate and monitor client deliverables, transactions and statutory or regulatory obligations to ensure deadlines and service standards are met;Oversee the administration of employee benefit trusts, share plans, nominee arrangements and associated corporate entities;Coordinate and review share plan activity including share acquisitions and disposals, vestings, option exercises, share transfers, distributions, funding and other corporate actions;Ensure transactions are appropriately supported, authorised and documented in accordance with trust deeds, plan rules, corporate authorities and internal procedures;Review minutes, resolutions, correspondence, transaction documentation, board/trustee packs and other work prepared by administrators and senior administrators;Provide day-to-day supervision, technical guidance and coaching to junior team members, including allocation and monitoring of workloads;Act as an escalation point for routine operational and technical matters, identifying issues requiring referral to Managers, Senior Managers or Directors;Liaise with internal and external stakeholders including clients, lawyers, tax advisers, brokers, custodians, registrars, auditors and bankers;Ensure client records, registers, workflows, diaries and client-specific procedures are maintained accurately and kept up to date;Identify and promptly escalate operational, legal, regulatory or client risks;Ensure adherence to applicable Apex policies, procedures, controls and compliance requirements;Support new business, client onboarding, plan implementations, structural changes and client termination activities; andContribute to process improvements and the development of consistent working practices across the EPRS team.Skills & ExperienceRelevant experience within trust, corporate, fiduciary, employee benefits, share plan or a comparable professional or financial services environment;Experience managing or taking significant responsibility for a portfolio of clients or entities;Experience reviewing work and providing guidance to junior team members;Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines;Excellent attention to detail and high levels of accuracy;Strong written and verbal communication skills in English;Ability to identify issues, exercise appropriate judgement and escalate matters proportionately;Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships across jurisdictions and with external stakeholders;Good understanding of corporate governance and working within governing documentation, delegated authorities and established procedures;Experience of employee benefit trusts, employee share plans, nominee arrangements and/or securities administration would be advantageous; andA relevant professional qualification, or progress towards one, in trust administration, governance, law, accounting or a related discipline would be advantageous.Key CompetenciesStrong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage effectively across teams, jurisdictions and levels of seniority;Proactive and accountable, taking ownership of matters through to completion;Sound judgement and initiative, with a pragmatic and solutions-focused approach to problem solving;Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, client-focused environment;Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills;Confident in supervising, coaching and providing constructive feedback to junior team members, encouraging accountability and development;Adaptable and quick to learn, with the curiosity and capability to develop a strong understanding of the technical requirements of EPRS;Confident in asking questions and constructively challenging where appropriate, with the confidence to communicate concerns and proposed solutions clearly;Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines; andHigh standards of accuracy, attention to detail and quality.Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.