Assistant Manager – Executive Performance & Reward Services (EPRS) at Apex Group

Role Purpose

• To support the management and delivery of a portfolio of clients within the EPRS division, including employee benefit trusts, employee share plans, nominee arrangements and associated corporate structures. The Assistant Manager will take day-to-day ownership of allocated client matters, supervise and review the work of junior team members and act as a key point of contact between the South African administration team, client-facing teams and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a detailed understanding of allocated client portfolios, governing documentation, share plans and client-specific requirements;
• Plan, coordinate and monitor client deliverables, transactions and statutory or regulatory obligations to ensure deadlines and service standards are met;
• Oversee the administration of employee benefit trusts, share plans, nominee arrangements and associated corporate entities;
• Coordinate and review share plan activity including share acquisitions and disposals, vestings, option exercises, share transfers, distributions, funding and other corporate actions;
• Ensure transactions are appropriately supported, authorised and documented in accordance with trust deeds, plan rules, corporate authorities and internal procedures;
• Review minutes, resolutions, correspondence, transaction documentation, board/trustee packs and other work prepared by administrators and senior administrators;
• Provide day-to-day supervision, technical guidance and coaching to junior team members, including allocation and monitoring of workloads;
• Act as an escalation point for routine operational and technical matters, identifying issues requiring referral to Managers, Senior Managers or Directors;
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders including clients, lawyers, tax advisers, brokers, custodians, registrars, auditors and bankers;
• Ensure client records, registers, workflows, diaries and client-specific procedures are maintained accurately and kept up to date;
• Identify and promptly escalate operational, legal, regulatory or client risks;
• Ensure adherence to applicable Apex policies, procedures, controls and compliance requirements;
• Support new business, client onboarding, plan implementations, structural changes and client termination activities; and
• Contribute to process improvements and the development of consistent working practices across the EPRS team.

Skills & Experience

• Relevant experience within trust, corporate, fiduciary, employee benefits, share plan or a comparable professional or financial services environment;
• Experience managing or taking significant responsibility for a portfolio of clients or entities;
• Experience reviewing work and providing guidance to junior team members;
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines;
• Excellent attention to detail and high levels of accuracy;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English;
• Ability to identify issues, exercise appropriate judgement and escalate matters proportionately;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships across jurisdictions and with external stakeholders;
• Good understanding of corporate governance and working within governing documentation, delegated authorities and established procedures;
• Experience of employee benefit trusts, employee share plans, nominee arrangements and/or securities administration would be advantageous; and
• A relevant professional qualification, or progress towards one, in trust administration, governance, law, accounting or a related discipline would be advantageous.

Key Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage effectively across teams, jurisdictions and levels of seniority;
• Proactive and accountable, taking ownership of matters through to completion;
• Sound judgement and initiative, with a pragmatic and solutions-focused approach to problem solving;
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, client-focused environment;
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills;
• Confident in supervising, coaching and providing constructive feedback to junior team members, encouraging accountability and development;
• Adaptable and quick to learn, with the curiosity and capability to develop a strong understanding of the technical requirements of EPRS;
• Confident in asking questions and constructively challenging where appropriate, with the confidence to communicate concerns and proposed solutions clearly;
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines; and
• High standards of accuracy, attention to detail and quality.