Senior Employee Benefits Operations Manager (Automation)

The Recruitment Council; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

The Recruitment Council is hiring an experienced Employee Benefits Operations Manager to direct and modernize the operational backbone of a leading EB division. You will oversee retirement funds, group risk administration, and ensure seamless coordination among employers, consulting teams, and underwriters.

This role emphasizes governance, admin mastery, and digital innovation, with a focus on workflow automation, client service excellence, and effective SLAs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a tertiary qualification in Commerce/Finance/Business Administration or related field.
• 6+ years in operational/administrative roles within Employee Benefits (retirement funds & group risk).
• Strong governance and administration capabilities with focus on accuracy and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Drive secretarial and administrative support for the Management Committee (MANCO).
• Prepare and distribute executive agenda packs, board packs, and minutes.
• Translate strategy into operational workflows with division leadership.
• Deliver employer and scheme presentations, benefit summaries, and onboarding packs.
• Oversee employer relationships, client portal credentials, and annual review checklists.
• Produce and evaluate scheme administration reports, MI, and employer correspondence.
• Track corporate client reviews, scheme audits, and consultative check-ins.
• Manage SLAs with employers and fund administrators; ensure regulatory compliance (FAIS, FICA).
• Act as operational liaison with insurers, asset managers, and underwriters for new schemes.
• Support day-to-day operations and handoffs between EB consultants, paraplanners, and staff.
• Lead technology adoption across division, e.g., Microsoft 365 Copilot and workflow automation.
• Monitor new business pipelines and operational metrics including capacity and turnaround times.
• Provide mentorship and day-to-day guidance to junior staff.
• Oversee records management and internal HR coordination.
• Coordinate client engagement sessions and corporate functions; support social presence.

Skills

EB knowledge

Governance

Stakeholder mgmt

Team mentorship

Education

Degree in Commerce/ Finance/ Business Administration

Tools

Microsoft 365 Copilot

SharePoint

Teams

Excel

PowerPoint design

Job description

The Recruitment Council is hiring an experienced Employee Benefits Operations Manager to direct and modernize the operational backbone of a leading EB division. You will oversee retirement funds, group risk administration, and ensure seamless coordination among employers, consulting teams, and underwriters.

This role emphasizes governance, admin mastery, and digital innovation, with a focus on workflow automation, client service excellence, and effective SLAs.