Senior Client Investment Specialist

Alexforbes; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bursary and Leadership Development

Hybrid work model

Medical & Gap Cover

Retirement Fund Contributions

Wi-Fi allowance

Job summary

Alexforbes is seeking a senior investment consultant to deliver impartial investment advice to a portfolio of high-profile clients. You will lead advisory engagements, construct portfolios, interpret performance reports, and present investment strategies to trustees and clients.

Role requires CFA/RE5/MBA or actuarial/CFP/CAIA or equivalent and at least five years in investment consulting. Hybrid work model and comprehensive rewards are offered.

Qualifications

• Professional investment qualifications required (CFA, RE5, MBA or actuarial/CFP/CAIA or equivalent).
• Minimum of 5 years in investment consulting or related advisory role.
• Strong governance, compliance and client management skills.
• Experience with ESG considerations is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide investment advice aligned with client needs within FAIS framework.
• Lead and service extensive and complex clients in investment matters.
• Construct portfolios including asset allocation and reference portfolio implementation.
• Present strategies and performance to clients; prepare consulting reports.
• Manage client engagements, fees, and work of junior consultants.

Education

CFA

RE5

MBA

Actuarial Fellowship

CFP/CAIA or equivalent

Job description

• To keep and grow clients by being the trusted advisor that delivers impartial, expert investment advice in a professional manner, ensuring at all times that Alexforbes' standards are maintained and the best advice is adhered to
• To implement the advice-led investment consulting process and to drive the philosophy internally and externally, taking appropriate best advice in-house solutions to clients where applicable and appropriate, with demonstrable value-add to the client
• To ensure client satisfaction by providing quality service through coordinating all internal and external contacts.
• To manage and grow a profitable portfolio of clients and manage clients at risk
• To support Principal Investment Consultants in advising very large and complex clients
• To influence, challenge, and shape investment thinking within the business and industry.
• To assist in the development of junior staff
• To ensure compliance with FAIS and all other legislation pertaining to investments and the provision of advice.

Responsibilities:

Key Performance Area:

Client Responsibilities:

• Provide investment advice pertaining to the client’s specific needs and in accordance with the advice-led investment consulting framework and FAIS
• To support the Principal Investment Consultant in advising and servicing extensive and complex clients
• To be the lead consultant to clients, covering responsibilities such as
• Governance
• Ensure all client investment strategies are aligned with Alexander Forbes' best advice
• Portfolio construction, including asset allocation (interpretation of modeling with ALM specialist’s assistance), application of the reference portfolio framework, asset manager selection, and blending
• Setting defined client year plans and managing clients at risk
• Interpretation of performance reports
• Presenting investment strategies and performance to clients
• Compile comprehensive consulting reports for clients on investment-related matters
• Keep clients updated with developments in the investment market.
• Perform investment performance presentations, workshops, and trustee training as and when required
• Lead discussions on ESG
• Assist the client in assessing unlisted investment opportunities
• Manage investment component of trustee meetings
• Secretarial functions relating to agenda packs, meeting attendance, and minutes where required
• Effective verbal and written communication to internal and external parties
• Ensure timeous response to client queries and requests
• Ensure that standard documents, such as quarterly reports, surveys, records of advice, etc., are issued timeously to clients.
• Co-ordinate the entire workflow process for servicing the client portfolio by managing the work of junior consultants and other internal and external service providers, asset managers etc
• Retain responsibility for all FICA and FAIS documentation.
• Ensure deadlines are met and client expectations are managed
• Build and maintain a relationship of trust with the client
• Remain client-focused at all times
• Fulfills his/her duties in such a manner that the relevant TCF outcomes are delivered
• Accurate and detailed feedback to HoD for Management Information and tracking purposes, including updating CRM records and client folders
• Participating in regular divisional meetings
• Assistance with the development of investment best practice and accompanying content
• Set appropriate budgets and financial objectives with HoD
• Monitor progress against objectives
• Maintain and grow client base
• Accurately capture time so that clients can be billed accordingly
• Ongoing reviewing of fees in line with any changes, and assessment of the appropriate fee structure
• Ensure the correct fees are being charged, and that additional work is being charged for.
• Ensure annual fee increases are implemented on time
• Ensure clients are invoiced and fees are collected timeously, and expenses are controlled
• To implement annual fee increases on time
• To manage a profitable portfolio of clients with no supervision
• Setting defined client development plans to drive profitability growth
• Setting defined client engagement plans and managing clients at risk
• To be opportunity seeking by expanding services and products provided to the client portfolio using in-house solutions where appropriate
• To use one's network to acquire new business and expand the client base
• To comply with all financial policies and procedures
• Accountable for P&L in respect of margins, expenditure, and client fees

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Give strategic input into the broader business strategy, including growth plans, strategic revenue initiatives, and new business initiatives
• Accountable to the Head: Investment Advisory for execution of plans and delivery of results
• Effective monitoring of projects and accountability for implementation within own portfolio of clients
• Effective implementation of the advice-led investment consulting framework
• To influence investment thinking by producing thought leadership material to position the market, to the media, and at industry conferences
• To raise the profile of AF Investments as a leading provider of investment advice
• Build and maintain strategic, financial, and operational relationships with key business heads within AF.
• Management of strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Ensure that all legal agreements are aligned with the company's strategy and are in accordance with legal requirements. Risk awareness and the management of advice risk is of vital importance in the position

People Management and Self-Development:

• Live the AF values of Integrity, Customer First, Care, and Leadership, and to lead by example
• Drive a high-performance culture
• Responsible for the motivation and development of the team
• Provide training, guidance, growth opportunities, and mentorship to junior members of the team, ensuring improved employee engagement and long-term retention of junior talent
• Provide honest & timely feedback on delivery, areas of strength, and areas for improvement to junior staff
• Set, communicate, and implement development plans for subordinates and assess performance regularly for direct reports (if applicable)
• Display self-awareness and insight into areas of strength and development, seek out challenges to improve skill set
• Seek and act on constructive performance feedback
• Remain abreast of new innovations, regulations, and technologies in the investment consulting

Requirements:

• CFA
• RE5
• MBA
• Actuarial Fellowship,
• CFP/ CAIA or other equivalent qualification
• 5 Years in Investment Consulting (Actually performing the tasks)

Why Join Alexforbes?

At Alexforbes, we don’t just offer jobs - we build careers. Here’s what makes us stand out:

Growth & Development:

• Bursary and Leadership Development Programmes to help you grow professionally.
• E-Learning Forums and continuous learning opportunities.
• Financial Planning Support tailored for staff.

Rewarding Performance:

• Total Rewards Package: Competitive short- and long-term incentives.
• Power Of One: Monetary recognition for outstanding performance.
• Lead Incentives & Referral Bonuses for helping us grow our talent pool.
• Retirement Fund Contributions starting at 13% of CTC.
• Group Risk Cover: Funeral, Dread Disease, and Life Insurance.
• Medical & Gap Cover: 100% of CTC with Discovery/Bonitas (Mandatory unless you are a dependent).

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible Ways of Work: Hybrid work model to suit your lifestyle.
• Connectivity Benefit: Wi-Fi allowance.
• Employee Wellness & Assistance Programmes to support your wellbeing.
• My Savings Account to help you plan for the future.

Join a company that values its people, invests in their growth, and rewards excellence. Be part of a team that’s shaping the future of financial services.