Portfolio Manager

Merchant West; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Merchant West is seeking a Portfolio Manager to oversee a portfolio of client facilities, ensuring strong performance and robust risk controls. You will monitor exposures, maintain client relationships, and support deal execution with cross-functional teams.

The role emphasizes compliance with credit policies, governance, and ongoing reporting. A finance/maths background with 4+ years in client-facing financial roles is required.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree with Finance and/or Mathematics, Accounting as subject(s).
• 4+ years experience in a client facing role with a financial background.
• Experience with relationships and client/dealer base within the sector.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio management and performance monitoring to ensure strong asset quality.
• Maintain client relationships and ensure ongoing service delivery.
• Deal support and portfolio growth including restructuring considerations.
• Prepare portfolio reports and maintain accurate documentation.
• Adhere to credit policies, governance frameworks, and audit trails.

Skills

Portfolio management

Credit risk evaluation

Financial modelling

Client relationship management

Deal structuring

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Education

Finance degree

Mathematics

Accounting

Job description

The Portfolio Manager is responsible for managing and maintaining a portfolio of client facilities by ensuring strong portfolio performance, effective risk management and high levels of client service.

The role involves monitoring client exposure, maintaining ongoing client relationships and ensuring compliance with Merchant West credit policies and governance frameworks. The Portfolio Manager works closely with business units to support deal execution, manage risk and identify opportunities for portfolio growth and optimisation.

Main Accountabilities:

Portfolio Management and Performance

• Manage and monitor a portfolio of client facilities to ensure strong financial performance and asset quality.
• Track client exposures, repayment behaviour, and overall portfolio health.
• Ensure portfolio performance aligns with Merchant West risk and profitability targets.

Client Relationship Management

• Maintain strong relationships with clients to ensure ongoing service delivery and satisfaction.
• Engage with clients to understand business needs and identify additional opportunities.
• Resolve client queries and manage relationship issues in a timely manner.
• Monitor client financial performance and identify potential credit risks.
• Ensure compliance with approved credit terms, covenants, and facility conditions.
• Escalate risk concerns and recommend corrective actions where required.

Deal Support and Portfolio Growth

• Support business units with deal structuring and execution within the portfolio.
• Assess financial impact of restructuring or additional funding requests.
• Identify opportunities to grow and optimise the portfolio.

Reporting and Portfolio Administration

• Prepare and maintain accurate portfolio reports and documentation.
• Ensure all client records and portfolio data are up to date and compliant.
• Provide regular updates on portfolio performance to management.

Credit Governance and Compliance

• Ensure adherence to credit policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Maintain proper documentation and audit trails for portfolio activities.
• Support audit and compliance processes related to portfolio management.

Qualifications:

• Relevant degree with Finance and/or Mathematics, Accounting as subject(s)

Experience:

• 4+ years experience in a client facing role with a financial background/solution selling
• Relationships and client/dealer base within the sector

Skills:

• Portfolio management and performance monitoring
• Financial statement analysis and credit risk evaluation
• Deal structuring and transaction assessment
• Client relationship and stakeholder management
• Portfolio reporting and financial analysis
• Credit policy interpretation and application
• Financial modelling and cash flow analysis
• Portfolio systems and financial software utilisation
• Commercial judgement and financial acumen
• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Decision making and sound risk judgement
• Stakeholder engagement and collaboration
• Negotiation and influencing capability
• Accountability and ownership
• Results orientation and performance focus