Fresh Opportunities at Allan Gray Proprietary Limited

Overview

Allan Gray Retail IT has a passionate testing community, which includes QA architects and mentors that work together with the testers to innovate, build testing frameworks, and help make our software delivery cycle more efficient so that we deliver good quality software timeously. 

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Automation tester with Oracle and JavaScript experience to join one of our Core administration team. The team is responsible for the core administration system that is developed by a third party. The system consists of a UI (used by administrators to capture instructions), webservices that provide an interface to allow other systems to input and retrieve data, business rules and batch processes.

Automation is a key part in what we do, so we will expect our Testers to have a strong coding background to assist in building the automation systems that enable us to deliver this world class software rapidly. Our ideal candidate is very detail oriented, innovative, self-driven, curious, is a critical thinker, and willing to both learn and share knowledge. Our space will provide the chosen candidate plenty of opportunities to learn about the asset management industry and our technologies, give space for creativity, and an opportunity to provide tremendous value.

Job Responsibilities

• Play a central role in implementing best testing practices in the team. 
• Define the testing approach for each sprint. 
• Collaborate with business analysts to extract testing requirements for user stories. 
• Estimate effort for testing tasks.
• Manage and maintain test data. 
• Extend the team’s test framework.
• Contribute to automation of tests in-sprints
  • Actively contribute to increasing measurable manual and automation coverage at all levels.
  • Maintain existing test packs.
  • Document and execute manual tests.
  • Create, debug, verify, and maintain automated scripts.
• Review others' Merge requests.
• Guide test automation in the team.
• Report on test execution, risks, and issues.
• Debug test results.
• Collaborate closely with developers, identifying, logging, prioritizing, and verifying defects in a defect tracking system. 
• Be second line support for production issues.
• Follow and drive root cause analysis to prevent future defects, both in Prod and In-sprint.
• Participate in, assist with, and give feedback on any activities where product quality practices and risks should be considered.
• Share knowledge with, and mentor others.
• Contribute to the use of available tools and technology.
• Implement quality improvement initiatives (supported by Senior testing leadership).
• Actively manage risk. 
• Provide the PO with sign-off of for releases.

Skills and Experience required

• You have experience testing data within databases, reports, and applications.
• You know how to read and write SQL.
• You have a practical understanding of CI/CD.
• You know where it is most effective for an automated test to live (Unit, Integration, Acceptance Testing, E2E). 
• You understand the benefits of manual testing but also the costs. 
• You are continually trying to improve your testing skills.  
• You have and can work under pressure. 
• You have solved complex testing issues. 
• You can understand requirements to come up with sufficient testing coverage.

Advantageous

• Experience with testing financial applications.
• A strong understanding of financial rules.
• A strong understanding of Oracle databases.
• Experience managing relations with external vendors.
• Experience in API integration testing.
• Understanding of microservice architecture.

You can program.

•     You have JavaScript skills.
•     You have experience in other scripting languages.

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Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced, self-motivated, and passionate Test Analyst (12 Months Fixed Term Contract ) to join our team in delivering quality. You will play a critical role in driving the quality mindset from the very beginning and solving many complex challenges along the way, using some of the industry's latest technologies. Automation and Manual testing are part of what we do, so we will expect our Test Analysts to some coding background to assist in writing the automation tests that enable us to deliver software rapidly. The ideal candidate for this position is one with a genuine interest in testing, is detail oriented, self-driven, curious, is a critical thinker, and willing to both learn and share knowledge.

Job Responsibilities

• Play a central role in implementing best testing practices in the team. 
• Define the testing approach for each sprint. 
• Collaborate with Business Analysts to extract testing requirements for user stories. 
• Estimate effort for testing tasks.
• Manage and maintain test data. 
• Extend the team’s testing framework.
• Contribute to automation of tests in-sprint.
  • Actively contribute to increasing measurable manual and automation coverage at all levels.
  • Maintain existing test packs.
  • Document and execute manual tests.
  • Create, debug, verify, and maintain automated scripts.
  • Review others' Merge requests.
  • Guide test automation in the team.
• Report on test execution, risks, and issues.
• Debug test results.
• Lobby for testing tech debt and technical stories to be addressed.
• Collaborate closely with developers, identifying, logging, prioritizing, and verifying defects in a defect tracking system. 
• Be second line support for production issues.
• Follow and drive root cause analysis to prevent future defects, both in Prod and In-sprint.
• Participate in, assist with, and give feedback on any activities where product quality practices and risks should be considered.
• Share knowledge with, and mentor others.
• Contribute to the use of available tools and technology.
• Implement quality improvement initiatives (supported by Senior testing leadership).
• Actively manage risk. 
• Provide the PO with sign-off of for releases.

Education

• Degree in Computer Science or Information Systems ideal, but solid experience will be considered as well.

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Job Summary

We are looking for a self-motivated individual to join the Institutional IT team as a test analyst in delivering quality software that will create an exceptional user experience for our end-users.

Allan Gray Institutional IT team consists of appr. 65 members, covering a range of skills and responsibilities including Domain Owners, Development Manager, Architect, Business Analysts, Developers (.NET and SQL) and IT Operations. The team operates with four business-aligned domains (Front Office, Middle Office, Fund Operations and Client Servicing). 

Additionally, the Tech domain and IT Operations teams support the business-aligned domains.

What you can expect: You will work predominantly within the Client Services Domain performing functional and regression testing as well as resolving production defects. 

Please note: This is a Cape Town based role and you will be required to be in office for a minimum of 2 days / week or as required by your domain. 

Job Responsibilities

• Extracting test requirements for user stories, 
• Designing and creating test cases, 
• Estimating effort for testing tasks, 
• Manual testing of applications, which includes front-end, system integration, regression, and end-to-end as well as exploratory testing, 
• Managing and maintaining manual regression test suites, 
• Product risk mitigation, thereby limiting defects in production, 
• Collaborating closely with developers and business analysts in identifying, logging, and verifying defects in a defect tracking system, 
• Collaborating with other teams in INST IT for integration testing. 
• Assist in production support issues and queries.
• Liaise with IT Ops and other Domains for support to resolve or assist with fixes.
• Continuous improvement initiatives specifically with regard to quality and performance

Skills and Experience Required

• Attention to detail, 
• Data analysis and reporting skills, 
• Good verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, 

Ability to:

• Manage own time and get tasks done, 
• Grasp concepts and understand the systems being tested, 
• Deal with complexity, 
• Deal with high variability of work and context switching, 
• Be comfortable with a fair amount of unpredictability in daily tasks.
• Resolve issues and overcome obstacles
• Able to engage with others to gather information

Minimum Qualifications

• 4 years test experience 
• Basic SQL skills
• Relevant Business/ Commerce/ IT degree. 
• Testing fundamentals training / Test certification would be advantageous.
• Exposure to Agile methodologies (e.g. SCRUM) would be advantageous

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Job Description

The Ops Analytics team have different streams that drive initiatives to support the retail business' strategic goals of continuous enhancement of our systems, processes, and people capacity, while appropriately managing for product compliance and operational risk. 

The team drives continuous enhancements to ensure that processes built into our core systems run optimally, as well as leverage automation tools, such as robotics and OCR, that can complement and integrate with processes in our core systems for game-changing efficiency gains. The team enables data-driven decision making, runs with complex regulatory impact projects in the organisation and is an aspirational team to be part of that attracts top talent across the organisation. The team has a range of skillsets including an automation product owner with developers, business analysts and testers focused on automation. In addition to this, there are a group of business analysts which focus on the remaining streams.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about operational excellence and driving change in Retail Operations in the Allan Gray business.

The ideal candidate for this position will have experience managing multiple complex projects, as well as leading and developing people - specifically business analysts.

The successful candidate will report to the Head of Retail Operations and be responsible for providing direction to the team while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence. The role will also include responsibility for the Operations Analytics roadmap, backlog and working with our stakeholders to ensure that the projects the team takes on consist of elements that add value to our clients and the business. These projects will be strategic in nature spanning across the platform and its various technologies aimed improving efficiency and service for the Retail business.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct line management and mentorship to a team of analysts.
• Assist in prioritising projects to meet the strategic objectives of continuous improvement and tactical business objectives.
• Prioritise / plan the associated work by assessing scope of projects as well as the business analyst capabilities within the team.
• Communicate with stakeholders on team progress and provide enough information to allow for informed business decisions.
• Critically evaluate information gathered from multiple stakeholders and resolve conflicts.
• Manage the Operations Analytics roadmap and communicate this roadmap to the team and business stakeholders.
• Engage with business stakeholders on their product vision, business / client needs and what system enhancements are required to support their needs.
• Challenge stakeholders on their assumptions of how they envision business and systems processes to work.
• Communicate with stakeholders on team progress and provide enough information to allow for informed business decisions.
• Assist in enforcement of project deadlines, and methodologies.
• Support and drive implementation of projects.
• Recruit, develop and retain quality staff.
• Participate in general management of the Retail Operations division.

Requirements

• High attention to detail with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with Allan Gray’s retail IT systems is advantageous.
• Experience working with business analysis frameworks and methodologies.
• Ability to multitask across different projects with experience in project management.
• Experience with stakeholder management and ability to communicate well at all levels throughout the organisation.
• Good conceptual thinking and critical analytical skills.
• Good verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Initiative, creative and thinks out of the box.
• Organised and ability to function well under pressure.
• Ability to work in a team with a positive, friendly, and respectful attitude.
• Ability to get things done, be accountable and self-manage.
• Flexible, energetic, trustworthy, self-disciplined.
• Industry experience is advantageous.
• Have an interest in operational excellence, digital transformation and be willing to learn new skills.

Education

• At least 2 years of people management experience (with direct reports)
• At least 5 years of business analyst or project management experience
• Reputation of consistent strong performance
• Relevant Degree 

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Job Summary

Why should you consider Allan Gray?

At Allan Gray, you will spend your days doing meaningful and engaging work with smart, inspiring colleagues. Our steadfast commitment to long-term investing extends to our people, and we embrace diversity and offer a supportive work environment. We provide performance-based financial rewards and encourage your career and skills development. Growth is an essential part of your journey at Allan Gray. Therefore, our leaders are accessible to help you develop and set you up for a long-term career. Your physical and mental well-being are top priorities, and we provide access to services and platforms to support you in these areas.

Purpose of the role

Our Client Service Centre is integral to our service offering for clients and independent financial advisers. As an Investment Service Consultant, your purpose will be to build clients’ and advisers’ trust and confidence through providing world-class service.

Our consultants do impactful work by empowering our clients on their investment journey. You will gain in-depth knowledge of Allan Gray's range of products and develop the necessary skills to confidently communicate with and educate our clients.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide excellent service to investors, potential investors and independent financial advisers via our various servicing channels, i.e. inbound calls and emails, face-to-face interactions, and webchat.
• Build trust and confidence by explaining our investment philosophy and long-term approach to investing.
• Educate clients by sharing product and fund knowledge and empower them to make informed investment decisions.
• Take end-to-end ownership of transactions and ensure accurate record-keeping.
• Actively participate in the organisation’s drive towards continuous improvement by contributing to solutions to client problems.

Skills and Competencies

• This role is suited to individuals who are highly performance driven and seek new challenges.
• A growth mindset and resilience are key attributes to successfully navigate the ever-changing needs of clients and the financial services industry.
• The role requires high adaptability, vigour and agility.
• Our consultants need to be empathetic and client focused.  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential.
• The ability to deal with complexity in a high-pressure environment, analytical thinking, attention to detail and problem-solving ability are crucial to ensure we always do what is best for clients.
• A genuine passion for people and a commitment to service excellence are vital to building long-term and meaningful relationships with our clients.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in Commerce or Business Science majoring in Finance, Investments, Economics, Mathematics or Statistics (this is not an exhaustive list).