Sanlam Financial Adviser - Middelburg

Sanlam; Middelburg; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanlam Life and Savings is seeking a Senior Advisory role to manage complex intermediary and client portfolios, providing thought leadership on advice solutions and influencing distribution strategy at a segment level. You will safeguard long-term client and business outcomes while guiding implementation across levels.

The role requires strong relationship management, expert financial advice capabilities, and the ability to navigate pricing and terms negotiations with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience advising on complex intermediary and client portfolios.
• Ability to influence distribution strategy at a segment level.
• Strong understanding of financial advice and client outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a relationship management plan for existing accounts and stakeholders.
• Provide specialist interpretation of policies and procedures and resolve queries.
• Lead pricing and terms projects within approved boundaries.
• Clarify customer needs and tailor materials for decision-makers.
• Deliver high-quality financial advice aligned with client demographics.
• Maintain and grow long-term client relationships through effective communication.

Skills

Verbal Communication

Builds Rapport

Closes Effectively

Initiates Sales Conversations

Intermediaries Process

Maintains the Relationship

Education

Undergraduate Degree / Honours

Job description

Who are we?

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is focused on serving our retail and corporate clients in South Africa and further developing our strategic advantages in the South African market. Sanlam Life and Savings consists of the following business units Retail Mass, Corporate, Risk and Savings, Glacier and various business enabling functions. The Sanlam Life and Savings Office provides strategic direction, coordination and support to the four clusters, as well as performing governance oversight that includes assurance provided by second line of defense functions in SLS, to enable us to meet our business objectives.

Who are we?

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is focused on serving our retail and corporate clients in South Africa and further developing our strategic advantages in the South African market. Sanlam Life and Savings consists of the following business units Retail Mass, Corporate, Risk and Savings, Glacier and various business enabling functions. The Sanlam Life and Savings Office provides strategic direction, coordination and support to the four clusters, as well as performing governance oversight that includes assurance provided by second line of defense functions in SLS, to enable us to meet our business objectives.

Purpose of the Role

To serve as a senior advisory authority by managing complex intermediary and/or client portfolios, providing thought leadership on advice solutions, influencing distribution strategy at a segment level, and safeguarding long-term client and business outcomes.

Overview Of Role Responsibilities (Level 1-13)

Customer Relationship Management / Account Management

- Level 6 - Adaptation

Develop and implement a relationship management plan for existing customer accounts to identify and build relationships with relevant decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization and to enable effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues. Collect feedback from identified customers or customer segments to ensure their needs are met, providing themes, summary analyses, and recommendations for changes based on customer input.

Information and Business Advice

- Level 6 - Adaptation

Provide specialist advice on the interpretation and application of policies and procedures, resolving queries and issues and referring very complex or contentious issues to others.

Financial Advice

- Level 6 - Adaptation

Implement the strategy for providing financial advice within an area of limited complexity, taking its distinctive client demographics and needs into account.

Pricing and Terms Negotiation

- Level 6 - Adaptation

Lead and deliver structured pricing and terms projects and procedures. Negotiate within approved boundaries.

Customer Needs Clarification

- Level 6 - Adaptation

Set clear objectives for each sales call or meeting; tailor standard materials to make presentations to decision-makers and influencers within the customer organization; and ask relevant questions to gather information, to evaluate the customer's level of interest, and to identify and respond to areas requiring further information or explanation.

Required Skills

• Verbal Communication - Advanced

  Works at an advanced level to express ideas, request actions, formulate plans, and policies by means of clear and effective verbal communications. Typically works independently and provides guidance.

• Builds Rapport - Advanced

  Works at an advanced level to quickly and effectively establish trust within the buying centers in the client's organization. Typically works independently and provides guidance.

• Closes Effectively - Fully Competent

  Works with full competence to pre-plan, suggest, and confirm mutually beneficial commitments that are appropriate and clear and that move the sales/client relationship forward. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.

• Initiates Compelling Sales Conversations - Fully Competent

  Works with full competence to propose a mutually agreed-upon agenda to start sales conversations that offer value to the client. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.

• Intermediaries Process - Fully Competent

  Works with full competence to understand the role and responsibilities of the intermediary in relation to both client and product providers. Typically works without supervision and may provide technical guidance.

• Maintains the Relationship - Advanced

  Works at an advanced level to cultivate and sustain positive interpersonal connections, fostering trust, collaboration, and effective communication to support enduring professional relationships. Typically works independently and provides guidance.

General Experience

Experience enables job holder to deal with the majority of situations and to advise others (Minimum 5 years)

Managerial Experience

Very limited (0 to 3 months)

Education

Undergraduate Degree / Honours Tertiary Degree

Required Behavioural Competencies

• Communicates Effectively
• Manages Complexity
• Ensures Accountability
• Builds Networks
• Instils Trust
• Customer Focus

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 ensuring 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.