Business Development Assistant

University of Fort Hare; Somerset West; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Fort Hare is seeking a Business Development Assistant in Somerset West to support its International Business Consultants (IBC). This role involves managing CRM systems, maintaining relationships with financial advisers, and preparing reports.

Key responsibilities include coordinating meetings and travel arrangements, providing administrative support, and ensuring effective communication. Candidates should have a diploma or degree in a related field and 2–3 years of relevant experience. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of experience as a Personal Assistant or Executive Assistant in a financial services environment.
• Experience with financial advisers or wealth management firms is highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage CRM systems and ensure accurate account data.
• Support IBCs by coordinating meetings, schedules, and travel arrangements.
• Assist in building and maintaining relationships with IFAs.
• Prepare reports on business flows and account activities.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

CRM proficiency

Verbal communication

Relationship building

Education

Diploma or degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field

Job description

An investments and financial services concern with offices in Somerset West, is seeking to employ a candidate to fill the role of Business Development Assistant. This role provides a critical level of support to the business development activities of the company by supporting the International Business Consultants (IBC) to help them operate more efficiently through either internal liaison with key stakeholders or liaison with external parties such as IFA's and partner firms

Key Duties and Responsibilities

IBC Support

• Constant management of the CRM systems to ensure accounts and contacts are established and correctly loaded, current and accurate
• Ensuring meetings, calls and emails of IBC are stored on the CRM system
• Manage and maintain calendars, scheduling meetings, client reviews, and travel arrangements
• Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, and follow-up actions
• Screen calls, emails, and correspondence, responding where appropriate
• Administering the TOB process for all new IFA relationships and liaise with all relevant par8es including assignment of TOBs to IBC’s when the Business Development Support person is on leave
• Working with Marketing to ensure the allocation of prospects to IBC’s resulting from lead generation initiatives
• Supporting IBC’s at events and networking with IFAs and data collection and follow up
• Assist IBC’s with general support around information requests around products
• Assisting with the preparation of presentations and pitches for prospective IFAs
• Assisting with designing processes or frameworks to make the IBCs more efficient
• Assisting with designing supporting material to assist advisers
• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the IBCs

Relationship Management and Servicing

• Assist in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with IFAs via email, phone, and in-person
• Take responsibility for ensuring IFAs are trained or have access to training on administrative, product and AML matter
• Assist in delivering the IFA service model through in person and online IFA engagement
• Visiting accounts or attending events where needed
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships internally with key decision makers and stakeholders, in particular Client Operations and Client Support and acting as a conduct between the IBC’s and operational side of the business

Reporting

• Take responsibility for reporting and analyses of business flows, account activity including new accounts (TOB), trends, target versus actual levels of business, funding levels and activity both at account level but also for internal reporting on business development activities in the Business Development Team
• Provide regular briefing and reporting on all new TOB and progress in respect of developing these accounts into business generating accounts in the Business Development Team
• Monitor deadlines and ensure deliverables are met timeously

Compentencies

• Strong organisational and time management skills
• High a..en..on to detail and accuracy
• Proficiency in customer relationship management (CRM) software
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with IFAs
• Knowledge of administrative and operational processes
• Strong empathetic disposition to deal with challenging circumstances
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility and adaptability to change
• Accountability of tasks and takes ownership of projects
• High level of integrity and adherence to ethical standards

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field (preferred)
• 2–3 years’ experience as a Personal Assistant, Executive Assistant, or in a financial services environment
• Experience working with financial advisers, wealth management firms, or consulting environments is highly advantageous