Regional Director: Employee Benefits Consulting | Cape Town

The Recruitment Council; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in Cape Town is seeking a seasoned professional to spearhead their Employee Benefits division. The role encompasses high-level client consulting, operational oversight, and people leadership, with a focus on service excellence and strategic growth. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in the industry, proven stakeholder management skills, and a strong background in compliance and governance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in Employee Benefits consulting, with at least 3 years in a management role.
• Strong understanding of retirement fund legislation and fund governance.
• Confident in decision-making under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Consulting team to deliver high performance.
• Maintain strong client relationships and drive business development.
• Oversee budgets, supplier contracts, and operational spend.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Business development

Leadership

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification (Business, Finance, or related field)

RE5 certification

Job description

An established leader in the industry is seeking a seasoned professional to lead their Western Cape consulting division and oversee operational functions at their Cape Town branch. This is a strategic and hands-on role that combines high-level client consulting, team leadership, and operational oversight. You’ll be responsible for delivering service excellence to clients, retaining and growing accounts, and managing a multidisciplinary team across Consulting, Actuarial, Claims Administration, and general support services.

Key Responsibilities:

Client Consulting & Business Development:

• Maintain strong client relationships across all levels, including Boards, Unions, and Trustees.
• Oversee strategic consulting services to ensure client retention and satisfaction.
• Drive new business development initiatives and maximise revenue growth within existing accounts.
• Handle high-level client negotiations, proposals, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop and implement client-specific annual plans and service strategies.
• Act as a technical resource on EB matters, legislation, compliance, and Fund governance.
• Represent the business in meetings, caucuses, and client forums; manage and mitigate risks.
• Guide consultants in responding to FSCA queries, fund rule amendments, and board governance.

Leadership & People Development:

• Lead, mentor, and coach the Consulting team to deliver high performance and exceed KPIs.
• Facilitate onboarding and training of new consultants.
• Ensure FAIS compliance across the consulting function.
• Promote collaboration across internal departments and drive a high-performance culture.
• Play a key role in recruitment, succession planning, and talent development.

Branch Oversight:

• Provide on-the-ground leadership for the Cape Town branch and ensure smooth operations across departments.
• Oversee budgets, cost control, supplier contracts, and office expenditure.
• Approve operational spend, travel expenses, and petty cash usage.
• Manage vendor relationships and office facilities, ensuring health and safety compliance.
• Maintain clean financial processes, including invoice approval and debtor management.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Relevant tertiary qualification (Business, Finance, or related field).
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in Employee Benefits consulting, with at least 3 years in a management role.
• RE5 certification is essential.
• Proven track record in high-level stakeholder management (Boards, Trustees, Unions, etc.).
• Strong understanding of retirement fund legislation, fund governance, and EB operations.
• Strategic thinker with business development capability and financial insight.
• Confident in presentations, negotiations, and decision-making under pressure.