Key Purpose of the role

• The position is responsible for the day-to-day administration within the Retirement Funds business unit. This is a core administration function and the incumbent would be required to holistically manage and control a portfolio of different Retirement Fund disciplines, for example scheme installations, monthly contribution reconciliation, investment option, special rule registration, renewal, amendments, enhancements, Section 13A non-compliance letters and calculations, Default Reg requirements, T-day and new member processes. The incumbent must ensure that processes and procedures are implemented, maintained, and improved. The incumbent needs to ensure operational activity is conducted within regulatory frameworks, accurately, effectively, and efficiently. The incumbent must ensure that he/she has the knowledge, skills, tools, and competencies required to perform the required job within service level agreements. The incumbent must have an appetite to be part of a growing new business unit, continuous improvement, able to adapt to change easily and play a role in change management within the team, challenge the status quo, inspire, and motivate others. The incumbent will continually review existing processes and procedures to ensure the delivery of committed services to the Umbrella Funds Clients.

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to

• Manage adherence to Service Level Agreement. Implement processes and procedures and ensure all services in respect of the operations of Umbrella Funds are conducted timeously and efficiently.
• Dealing with the full Human Resources function for staff managed. Ensure others are trained on the processes and systems. Provides staff with clear direction. Sets appropriate standards of behaviour and outputs.  Delegates work appropriately and fairly. Motivates and empowers others.
• Ensure that the contribution / billing process (Section 13A, Default Reg, T-day) are accurate, compliant, and abreast with regulatory frameworks such as, Pension Funds Act, Tax Act, Rules of the Discovery Life Umbrella Pension and Provident Funds, Participating employer special rules. Ensures delivery of key operational attributes such as data completeness and data quality.
• Responsible to maintain and update SOP’s in line with business process developments and system enhancements. Assist with audits and appropriate responses to audit queries.
• Ensure regular, comprehensive and appropriate management reports are generated for submission to line manager and the broader business.
• Ensure productivity levels are optimised.
• Dealing with escalated calls or queries from internal stakeholders, communicate effectively with clients to resolve queries and escalations, ensure client expectations are met.
• Develop and maintain excellent business relations with internal and external brokers.
• Managing projects.
• The incumbent is the Subject Matter Expert in Retirement Fund areas under management. Produces new ideas, approaches or insights. Produces range of solutions to problems and do root cause analysis. Effective decision-making by “out of the box” thinking and weighing up risks involved.

Personal Attributes and Skills     
The successful candidate must demonstrate the following competencies:

• Communication Skills: able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Reporting Skills: ability to consolidate information and compile reports reflecting the necessary relevant information
•  Ability to communicate logically and objectively is essential components of this role.
• Attention to detail
• Very organised
• Expresses opinions, information, and key points of an argument clearly.
• Probes for further information or greater understanding of a problem.
• Relates well to people at all levels.

Education and Experience

• NQF level 5 equivalent qualification. 
• 3 – 5 years operational leadership and management experience – Essential
• 3 –  5 years umbrella retirement funds contribution / billing process experience (Section 13A of the Pension Fund Act, Default Reg, T-day) – Essential
• NQF level 6 or B Com degree or similar is advantageous
• Relevant Industry Qualifications – Wealth Management, Introduction to Retirement Funds – Advantageous
• MS Office – Advanced Excel skills, Accounting, Investments, People management, operational processes and process mapping. Retirement Fund and Umbrella Fund operations.
• Full compliance and legislative universe relating to employee benefits, FAIS and Umbrella Funds.
•  3 – 5 years’ experience in the employee benefits and 5 years in a senior role.