Specialist | Manco Distribution 7431 at Allan Gray Proprietary Limited

Main Purpose of the Investment Specialist Role

• The candidate will provide specialist fund information and investment servicing support to bulk dealer clients that have exposure to the Allan Gray and Orbis funds through external channels. The aim is to equip clients with the necessary information to make better informed investment decisions relating to the Allan Gray and Orbis funds. The candidate will be responsible for championing the information shared on Allan Gray and Orbis funds; and developing, supporting and maintaining relationships and assets, as well as identifying and pursuing new distribution opportunities.
• The individual will be responsible for servicing clients mainly in Pretoria, North West and Johannesburg and will be required to travel nationally on a regular basis.

The bulk dealer clients include:

• Financial advisers that support Third-Party platforms – both Tied Agents, Bank Agents and Independent Financial Advisers
• Distribution teams of Third-Party platforms
• Distribution teams within Allan Gray
• Retail Multi-Managers
• Research teams responsible for platform buy lists
• Other small corporate clients (e.g. Pension funds)

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with the bulk dealer channel clients; 
• Develop and implement servicing strategy to promote Allan Gray and Orbis unit trusts;
• Assess and follow through on potential distribution opportunities (using both strong analytical and networking skills);
• Be an investment champion with a deep technical understanding of Allan Gray and Orbis funds;
• Ensure that key decision makers are kept informed and updated on funds;
• Take responsibility for the servicing of the client, including answering of queries, due diligence questionnaires and presentation requests arising from these clients;
• Produce written responses to client queries and write articles on an adhoc basis;
• Take ownership of the ongoing maintenance of CRM system;
• Produce client-specific reports on an ad-hoc basis;
• Have a sound understanding of markets and individual shares;
• Provide investment-related support to the Distribution teams;
• Perform research and provide relevant educational content from time to time;
• Acquire deep understanding of Bulk channel and clients;
• Deal appropriately and timely with client/business partner queries;
• Perform ongoing competitor research on funds and products on a regular basis to ensure better internal awareness and understanding;
• Take responsibility for events, and where relevant liaise with Marketing/Events team. (e.g., Adviser and Client Presentations, Due Diligence visits, Road Shows,).

Experience and Qualifications

• Relevant business degree (CFA/CFP preferable), and
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Retail Distribution at an asset management or LISP company.
• Experience in client-facing role (working with financial advisers)
• An in-depth understanding of the CIS and LISP industries.
• An in-depth understanding of the investment market (economies, stocks, asset allocation etc)
• Sound understanding of Allan Gray products and funds.

Key Attributes and Competencies

The ideal candidate should have the following characteristics: 

• Be a very strong self-manager, be self-motivated and self-disciplined;
• Act as a brand ambassador and display consistent high levels of professionalism in personal conduct; 
• Strong industry knowledge, keeping on top of trends and the regulatory environment;
• Have a sound understanding of and passion for financial markets and individual shares;
• Be an investment champion with a deep technical understanding of Allan Gray and Orbis funds;
• Ability to present to large audiences on technical investment content;
• Exceptional client engager, with the ability to build and maintain strong and meaningful client relationships;
• Passionate about providing the highest level of service;
• Excellent work ethic;
• Excellent time management and problem-solving skills;
• Resilient and long-term oriented;
• Allan Gray brand ambassador and client service champion;
• Team player and strong contributor to culture; 
• Be confident, articulate and energetic;
• Be accurate and thorough;
• Highest standards of ethics and integrity, and be able to manage confidential information and sensitive relationships;
• Excellent interpersonal skills – friendly and diplomatic nature, and the maturity to handle high level negotiations;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate technical concepts in an easily understandable way;
• Advanced – MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.