Product Innovation Lead at Robert Walters

• A leading investment management firm is looking for a Product Innovation Lead to drive the evolution of their local product solutions and platform capabilities. This role offers the opportunity to be based in either the Johannesburg or Cape Town office.
• This is an exceptional opportunity for you to leverage your deep expertise in financial services, particularly within the LISP (Linked Investment Service Provider) industry, to design, manage and implement innovative products that cater to affluent and high-net-worth clients as well as financial advisers.

Qualifications and experience required for the Product Innovation Lead:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Actuarial Sciences or a related field is required
• Fully qualified CFA or partly qualified CFAis essential
• 5 - 10 years’ experience within financial services, including at least 4 years focused on platform or product enablement roles
• In-depth knowledge of the LISP (platform) industry, including regulatory frameworks such as Regulation 28, Pension Fund Act, Long-term Insurance Act and associated products and pricing models
• Proven track record working collaboratively with cross-functional teams on large-scale projects or initiatives

Key duties of the Product Innovation Lead:

• Create innovative, future-fit product solutions aligned with client and adviser needs, business strategy, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage the lifecycle of local and international platform products.
• Lead implementation of new products and system changes, focusing on operations and user experience.
• Support marketing and roll-out of wealth management initiatives.
• Evaluate product solutions considering regulatory, compliance and financial impacts.
• Conduct market research to identify opportunities for product development or optimisation.
• Provide expert input on strategic initiatives and project delivery.
• Monitor market trends, competitors and regulations to ensure competitiveness and compliance.
• Track performance of existing solutions to identify successes or areas for improvement.
• Present proposals to governance forums and executive boards.

Key personal skills:

• Demonstrated ability to interrogate complex issues, balance diverse stakeholder perspectives and apply critical thinking skills
• Comprehensive understanding of how business operations impact commercial viability and profitability within group structures
• Experience presenting detailed analyses and proposals to senior governance forums or executive committees
• Exceptional interpersonal skills enabling you to build lasting relationships with clients, colleagues and external partners alike