Chief Operating Officer

Sanlam; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1 000 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A major financial services provider in Gauteng seeks a seasoned leader to develop a global operational platform, oversee fund establishment, and improve third-party service relationships. Candidates should have a decade of experience in asset management, excellent communication skills, and a strategic mindset. This role emphasizes operational excellence and requires collaboration across multiple teams.

Benefits

Development opportunities

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a senior leadership position within asset management.
• Demonstrable experience in establishing and scaling an asset management platform.
• Proven track record in fund establishment and understanding fund structures and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Build a global operational platform to support growth.
• Oversee establishment of new funds in South Africa and globally.
• Manage relationships with third-party service providers for efficient service.

Skills

Strategic operations planning

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Degree in a relevant field

Job description

Who are we?

Sanlam Investment GroupThe Sanlam Investment Group is uniquely equipped and positioned to deliver on its purpose of empowering generations to be financially confident, secure and prosperous.

Through our vast in‑house expertise and strategic partner networks, we can access all asset classes across the globe, private and public, actively and passively managed, to develop investment solutions that are in our clients' best interests and have a positive impact on society.

Backed by the Sanlam Group's balance sheet, the Sanlam Investment Group has a true competitive advantage in its ability to invest alongside clients, particularly in private markets where impact investing drives the agenda.The Sanlam Investment Group is one of the largest, most diversified financial services and investment firms in Southern Africa with assets under management and administration of more than R2 trillion.

It is a B-BBEE level 1 contributor and one of the largest black‑empowered asset managers on the African continent.Sanlam Alternative Investments (SAI)The purpose Sanlam Alternative Investments (SAI) business is to help build the African continent and make a real sustainable difference in the emerging economies in which we operate in, aligning to the Sanlam Group's mission of financial inclusion.

The SAI business has a broad range of capabilities that include Private Equity, Specialised Finance, Property, Infrastructure and Partnerships.

Sanlam is the biggest non‑banking financial institution on the continent, operating in Africa for over years.

What will you do?

The ideal candidate will be responsible for building out the current platform into a robust, global, and scalable operational platform that can support SAI's ambitious growth strategy and meet the rigorous due diligence standards of global institutional investors, underpinning our commitment to transparency and reliability.

This platform will be critical in enabling SAI's growth trajectory by streamlining core business processes, enhancing data integrity and ensuring seamless integration across all operations.

This role requires a seasoned, dynamic and hands on leader who can drive change, standardise processes, and build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Operations
• Operational Platform Development – Design and implement best‑in‑class, globally ready operational platform that can meet the stringent requirements of institutional investor operational due diligence.
• Fund Establishment and Management – Oversee the establishment of new funds, both in South Africa and globally. Requires a strong understanding of various fund structures, regulatory and compliance requirements of targeted fund jurisdictions.
• Service Provider Management – Manage and optimise relationships with key third‑party service providers, including fund administrators, external legal counsel, and outsourced service providers. Ensure these relationships are structured to provide efficient, high‑quality, and cost‑effective services.
• Strategic Planning and Execution – Collaborate with the CEO and executive team to define and execute the company's strategic vision. Translate strategic goals into actionable operational plans and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Project Management – Lead and manage critical projects, driving operational enhancements and new initiatives from conception to successful implementation.
• Financial and Risk Oversight – Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to ensure a unified approach to budgeting, financial management, and risk oversight. Collaborate on financial planning, forecasting, and the implementation of robust risk management frameworks. Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
• Technology and Infrastructure – Leverage and optimise technology solutions provided by the wider Sanlam Group. Work with internal and external technology partners to ensure that the operational platform is secure, scalable and supports the strategic objectives of SAI. Review SAI technology / systems to ensure that they are best suited for the business and that all licences (including valuation and information management software) that are key to the operation of the underlying businesses are regularly checked and updated or renewed time‑wise.
• Change Management – Drive and effect internal change where required to align operational functions with strategic goals. Build strong, collaborative relationships across different teams, including fund product managers, SAI executives, and various Sanlam Group stakeholders.
• Investor Reporting and Integration – Standardise and enhance investor reporting to meet global best practices. Ensure seamless operational integration from initial governance and approval processes all the way through to investor relations and reporting.
• Data Governance – Responsible for data governance oversight of SAI in line with regulatory and Sanlam group forums and policy. Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements and data stewardship best practices is essential. Streamline SAI operational processes and ensure that processes and methods in use are properly documented.
• Portfolio Management & Client Report Unit Management – Manage the Portfolio Management and Client Report unit, ensuring that all client queries are managed, followed up time‑wise and addressed accordingly.

Additional Responsibilities

• Team Management – Build a high‑performing team that can meet the evolving needs of the business. Oversee talent acquisition, training, and professional development for operational team.
• Leadership and Mentorship – Provide strong leadership to the operational team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Performance Management – Establish clear performance metrics and conduct regular reviews to ensure the operational team meets its goals and contributes to the business success.

Experience

Minimum 10 years of experience in a similar senior leadership position within the asset management industry. Demonstrable experience in establishing and scaling a global asset management platform. Proven track record in fund establishment, including a deep knowledge of different fund structures and regulatory frameworks in various jurisdictions. Expertise in managing third‑party service provider relationships, including fund administrators and legal teams. Experience in standardising and improving investor reporting to meet global institutional standards. Strong understanding of operational due diligence processes and requirements. Ability to drive internal change management and build consensus across multiple teams and stakeholders.

Qualification

Degree with 10 years related experience.

Knowledge And Skills

Strategic operations planning and implementation, attraction of new and retention of current business, stakeholder management, competitor analysis of technologies and operational processes, risk analysis and budget management.

Attributes

• Strategic Vision – Ability to think strategically and translate business goals into actionable operational plans.
• Execution‑Oriented – A pragmatic and results‑driven approach with a focus on operational excellence.
• Strong Communicator – Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Influential Leader – The ability to inspire, motivate and manage both internal teams and external partners.
• Resilience and Adaptability – A resourceful problem‑solver who can navigate complexity and thrive in a dynamic, high‑growth environment.
• Integrity and Professionalism – An unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic mindset – Contributing strategically
• Builds effective teams – Contributing strategically
• Business insight – Contributing strategically
• Manages complexity – Contributing strategically

Build a successful career with us. We're all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth.

Through its business clusters – Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Emerging Markets and Santam – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies: Cultives innovation – Contributing strategically; Customer focus – Contributing strategically; Drives results – Contributing strategically; Collaborates – Contributing strategically; Being resilient – Contributing strategically.

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Our commitment to transformation The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensure a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa.

The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.