Current Vacancies at PPS

Job Advert Summary    

Responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the Actuarial Valuations for the Life (i.e. participating traditional/investment account, annuities etc.) and other allocated products.
The role will be expected to collaborate closely with the Product Development departments and assist with internal reviews for Product initiatives, as well as engage with the external Head of the Actuarial function and External Auditors to ensure end-to-end delivery.

Minimum Requirements    

Education:

• Matric
• Completed Fellowship within the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA) or Institute or Faculty of Actuaries (UK), i.e. a qualified actuary.
• Good computer knowledge - MS Outlook, Excel and Word, PROPHET (actuarial software) knowledge is necessary. MS Power BI, SQL, and another relevant knowledge preferable

Experience:

• Must have at least 8 to 12 years of experience in the Life Insurance actuarial environment with a strong focus on Valuation and Reporting experience (SAM, IFRS4, EV), IFRS 17 preferable
• Strong Technical experience with proven track-record of execution
• Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to lead a team of up to 2-5 actuarial resources.
• Report writing experience.
• Regulatory reporting experience would be preferential.
• Is equipped to use the actuarial software (PROPHET) to conduct valuations and calculations.
• Experience with MS Power BI, SQL, and another relevant knowledge would preferable.

Knowledge and Skills 

• Knowledge and understanding of Valuations in the Life Insurance Industry
• Communicate insights gained in analyses to the business in order to influence and contribute to strategy setting and business decision making.
• Articulates and communicates in a logical and structure manner information to meet the needs and understanding of intended audiences.
• Expresses opinions, information, and key points of view clearly and assertively
• Is confident in conceptualising, building, and presenting plans related presentations.
• Anticipates and responds appropriately to the needs, reactions, and feedback of an audience.
• Demonstrates awareness of market trends and opportunities and keeps up to date with competitor developments impacting area of responsibility.

Competencies 

• Is adept in the use of the latest MS Office package, particularly Excel, Word, and Power-point.
• Is equipped to use the actuarial software (PROPHET) to carry out valuations and calculations.
• Analysing data and extrapolating insights
• Applying Expertise & Technology
• Working with People
• Entrepreneurial & Commercial Thinking
• Achieving Personal Work Goals & Objectives
• Adapting & Responding to Change
• Adhering to Principles & Values
• Responsible & accountable

Duties and Responsibilities    

• valuation of liabilities, analysis & allocation of profits, internal reviews, support new business ventures and initiative, provide inputs for business planning and any corresponding commentary. To analyse and communicate the results to broader business stakeholders, with the support of the Head of Actuarial Valuations
• Manage the end-to-end maintenance, improvement, documentation of systems, valuation processes for profits/liability calculations.
• Responsible for contributing to changes and improvements to the valuation and analysis methodology where requires.
• Manage priorities in a timely and efficient delivery manner.
• Develop, mentor, and manage analysts and senior analysts.
• Drive and oversee a culture of continuous improvements in efficient and simplification.
• Monitor and report business insights to the Group Executive Committee and the product development department on product experience and identify potential trends and issues.
• monthly and quarterly reports
• Delivering efficient and consistent service and support to all internal and external clients, hence ensuring a quality interaction and relationship with all stakeholders

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Job Advert Summary    

Provide key manager research analysis which will be used in business decision making. Have mastery of and deliver relevant, timely and accurate assessments of manager strategies in your designated sectors; motivate manager strategies for inclusion on investment-team buy-list; engage with & inspire confidence in investment due diligence process through credible engagement with relevant stakeholders including investment team, asset managers, internal distribution and consulting clients; opportunity for growth as part of a dynamic investment team.

Minimum Requirements    

Ideal experience:

• At least 5 years manager research experience within the multi-manager, fund of funds or asset consulting environment; experience in non-traditional asset classes and global equity strategies an added benefit.

Ideal qualifications:

• BCom (Hons) / Business Science degree majoring in Finance, Economics, Financial Analysis or Portfolio Management.
• CAIA, CFA or related studies beneficial.

Competencies and ideal personality attributes:

• Self-starter & ability to hit the ground running
• Ability to focus on what is relevant & material, plus obsessive attention to detail
• Openness to challenging and being challenged by members of investment team
• Questioning and inquiring mind that takes pleasure in figuring things out
• Strong presentation, verbal and written skills
• Confidence in articulating and defending a position

Systems knowledge:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office essential, FactSet and Morningstar preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities    

• Proactive maintenance of relevant ASISA categories with explicit and relevant engagement with key stakeholders including quants analyst and portfolio managers; Ensure that we have appropriate coverage of the universe & have working knowledge of the relevant strategies included in the category
• Detailed understanding of asset manager strategies locally and globally
• Regular short-note assessments on potential manager strategies
• Thorough deep-dive due diligences on relevant manager strategies with explicit involvement of head of research
• Build strong relationships with your underlying asset managers, and insightful and regular assessments of your existing buy-list managers
• Produce ad hoc research reports relevant to needs of consulting clients that will require innovative thinking
• Continuously question the status quo, providing solutions to enhance the process and the tools that we use; drive changes required for categories assigned to you
• Inspire confidence in manager research process by insightful presentation to clients as and when required
• Share insights on the PPS Investment value proposition and capability, industry related topics and the various aspects of the manager research process to internal and external stakeholders (verbal & written)

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Job Advert Summary    

To assist and support financial advisors primarily with investment advice, but also estate planning and business planning as part of a Specialist Support Services division whose purpose is to complement trusted advisers’ value proposition to their clients (members and prospective members) so as to enhance the overall member experience.

Minimum Requirements    

Qualification:

• Commercial / financial degree with Accounting/Financial Management/Taxation as major subject; or
• BCom plus relevant Honours/ Post Graduate Diploma.
• CFP® professional.
• Successful completion of RE representative exams.
• SAIPA or SAICA Affiliation-advantageous.
• FISA® advantageous.

Experience:

• 3 - 5 years’ experience in a Financial Planning/ Investment advice role.
• Experience in analysing complex investment client portfolios and advising thereon.
• Experience in private client or wealth environment advantageous.
• Experience in business assurance and/or estate planning advantageous.

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proven problem solver with analytical and numerical skills, coupled with the ability to analyse and interpret statistical information.
• Strong commitment to excellence and high attention to detail/Accuracy.
• Time management.
• Excellent communication skills – verbal and written.
• Must be client centric.
• High degree of professionalism.Strong organisational skills with the ability to multi-task and work under pressure.
• Ability to function independently & pro-actively.

Duties and Responsibilities    

• Providing technical advice to clients, with an emphasis on, but not limited to Investments.
• Assess clients’ financial circumstances in terms of Investments as it relates to the Graduate Professional market.
• Prepare financial proposals using financial planning software tools to support the development of each client’s financial strategy.
• Conduct research and analysis of products and services that are appropriate to each client’s financial circumstances, which may include planned fieldwork assignments of a Budgetary nature for clients in various industry sectors under the prevailing reporting frameworks (IFRS, GAAP).
• Propose and draft financial solutions that meet each client’s goals, needs and objectives.
• Work independently to facilitate an efficient support services process.
• Build solid working relationships with the Advisors and various Specialist Support Services teams to achieve results.
• Support the on-going relationship between the Technical Specialists, Advisors and the client by assessing the client’s changing financial priorities.
• Collaborate with colleagues and industry specialists to formulate practical advice
• Assist in the development of best practice and “house views”.
• To analyse complex issues for planners such as complex estates with offshore assets, trusts, complex tax issues etc.
• To do research on complex topics.  E.g. foreign tax protocols for clients with Global portfolios.
• To help build solutions from a specialist perspective.  E.g. complex estates, wills etc.  test different scenarios and give recommendations on specific issues.
• To be client facing when required and provide in-depth discussion/knowledge.