High Yield Transactor

What will you do?

We are seeking an experienced and driven Senior Dealmaker to join our Credit Origination team. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in higher-yield credit origination, with a proven track record of sourcing and structuring South African credit exposures yielding JIBAR + 3%-4% and above. This role requires strong borrower relationships, deep credit structuring expertise, and the ability to deliver high-quality transactions aligned with the firm’s risk appetite.

Key Responsibilities

1. Deal making (i.e., origination of credit investments), including:

• Originate, structure, and execute high-yield credit transactions within the South African market.
• Leverage strong borrower and market relationships to source attractive deal flow.
• Ensure all transactions are appropriately structured with strong credit protections and security packages.
• Prepare detailed investment memos and present transactions to internal credit committees.
• Collaborate with internal credit, legal, and portfolio management teams to progress deals through the investment process.
• Maintain a deep understanding of market dynamics, pricing, and sector risks.
• Conduct in-depth credit analysis to ensure transactions meet risk and return thresholds.
• Manage multiple transactions simultaneously, maintaining high attention to detail and process discipline.

2. Group interaction and functions:

• Ongoing interaction within SAI, Sanlam Financial Markets (SFM) and support functions.
• Ongoing interaction with Sanlam, Sanlam Investments (SI) and other clusters.
• To be a centre of expertise on Credit for the Sanlam Group.

3. Structuring:

• Consideration of market risk, tax, regulatory, legal and accounting related matters, etc including interaction with experts.
• Structure transactions with appropriate security in place to mitigate potential losses.

Qualifications and Experience

• CA (SA), CFA, FRM or other appropriate degree.
• Minimum of 5 years’ high yield experience.

Skills and Technical Competencies

• Minimum 5 years of experience in high-yield credit origination, preferably within a bank or credit asset manager.
• Demonstrable track record in originating credit assets yielding JIBAR + 3%-4% and above.
• Strong relationships with South African corporate borrowers (most likely business banking type clients as opposed to large corporate borrowers), private equity sponsors, family offices and financial intermediaries/brokers.
• A strong existing borrower base with immediate transaction opportunities.
• Solid credit structuring skills with an ability to negotiate and secure favourable terms.
• Strong credit analysis background with the ability to independently assess borrower risk and transaction suitability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly motivated, detailed-oriented, and capable of working independently under pressure.
• Ability to manage multiple transactions and priorities concurrently.

Knowledge and Skills

Personal Attributes

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping  our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers. 

Our commitment to transformation