Operations Manager: Sanlam Umbrella Fund

About Sanlam Corporate

Sanlam Corporate forms part of the Sanlam Group which offers retail and corporate life insurance, health and investment products in South Africa. Our vision is to be the preferred partner to Corporate and Public Sector by providing awesome client experience and comprehensive solutions that enable the financial resilience and prosperity of those entities and their employees. We tap into over 100 years of expertise to provide cost-effective Employee Benefits and Healthcare Solutions that enable financial confidence for our members. We enable our clients to make better retirement and risk decisions today through determined and passionate thought leadership and best-in-class people, innovative products and proven processes all designed to help people live a better life tomorrow.

We believe in creating and cultivating a positive, energised working environment that gives every individual the opportunity to achieve success by embracing diversity and growing our talent.

Purpose of this role?

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Sanlam Corporate and the broader Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) Business. The Operations Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of operational processes within Sanlam Umbrella Solutions. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality service in line with business objectives, manages operational teams, and supports the implementation of business strategies. The role will focus on process optimisation, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement, reporting to the Managing Executive.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee and manage operational processes to ensure delivery in line with service level agreements (SLAs) and business objectives.
• Monitor and report on operational performance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions.
• Support compliance and risk management activities, ensuring adherence to relevant policies and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct strategic and operational research to inform recommendations.
• Consolidate inputs for business planning, financial reporting, and operational reviews.
• Support preparation of Manco/Exco submissions, presentations, and dashboards where required.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, including internal teams and external partners, to facilitate effective operations.
• Assist with budget preparation, monitoring, and expense management within the operations area.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of operational staff, including performance management, training, and resource allocation.
• Contribute to the implementation of new business, contracts, and operational enhancements.
• Ensure systems and processes are fit for purpose, providing input on enhancements and requirements.
• Drive a culture of efficiency, quality, and client focus within the Umbrella Solutions business.

Qualifications and experience

• Relevant degree or diploma (postgraduate qualification advantageous).
• 4–6 years’ experience in operations management, preferably within retirement fund administration or financial services.

Knowledge and skills

• Demonstrated experience in managing operational processes.
• Working knowledge of compliance and risk management in a regulated environment.
• Sound understanding of retirement funds and/or financial services operations.
• Strong organisational and process management skills.
• Ability to analyse data and operational performance metrics.
• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proficiency in relevant administration systems and MS Office.

Core competencies

• Client Focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Drives Results: Consistently achieving results, even under pressure.
• Collaborates: Working effectively with others to achieve shared goals.
• Resilience: Adapting to setbacks and maintaining performance.
• Cultivates Innovation: Identifying and implementing improvements in processes and service delivery.

Personal Attributes

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

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.