Job Description

The Head of Research will be responsible for driving the research and macro strategy of the business in line with RMB’s vision of being a trusted adviser to our clients across the franchise footprint. The Head of Research will have the primary responsibility of providing sound, objective, and consistent economic research, entailing research on the financial market, fixed income, currency, provide sector advise to clients and other stakeholders and ensure prompt dissemination of research findings.

Responsibilities   

Build a top-ranked and renowned research franchise that enhances the value proposition of the RMB brand  

Take ownership of the Research department and ensure optimum efficiency in research findings, dissemination to clients and other stakeholders  

Contribute to RMB house view through collaboration with the rest of the team and assume specific responsibility for RMB’s economic house view  

Build and run various models to assist with forecasting and highlighting risks around the core views  

Produce daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual presentations to convey the house view and to cover thematic research  

Put a process in place for cross-checking and sign-off of relevant reports  

Sound understanding of internal and external stakeholders, their specific needs, and requirements, and how these fit  

together:  

Liaise with internal stakeholders to identify their needs, and evaluate whether the research and inputs are correctly aligned  

Collaborate with Relationship Managers on clients’ needs and feedback  

Engage with clients directly and via the Relationship Managers to understand their needs and check progress                                  

Find opportunities to leverage relationships and promote knowledge-sharing  

Provide views, forecasts, and recommendations on asset classes, analysis of industry sector allocations, and company-specific research reports  

Facilitate the organization and coordination of client roadshows, conference calls, and seminars  

Working with various teams to generate sales and trading ideas that will be used for client engagement  

Coordinate market intelligence activities; prepare competitive analysis reports and forward recommendations to the relevant business groups  

Oversee the monitoring and maintenance of financial models and industry databases ensuring correct and up-to-date information for research reports  

Supervise and coordinate the research, collation, analysis, and assessment of marketing information/indices that would provide adequate backup and support for the business’ decisions  

Participate in the development and implementation of marketing and financial models for the business to support its trading, sales, and competitive strategies  

Broad understanding of RMB’s products to be able to use research to support the selling of the products, e.g high-level knowledge of Fixed income and FX products  

Responsible for facilitating the conduct of environmental/market research surveys and analyses of macro sectors to identify investment opportunities    

Manage the view (take responsibility for the overall economic view of the team as it relates to the global and local economy and financial markets)  

Strong collaboration with other research units in the group on research reports as required for specific industry and or thematic macro events  

Supervising the collation of key economic data covering the globe, major trading regions, and Africa into suitably organized information to inform and guide the Bank’s policies and operations  

Sound understanding of the group structure and business flows, including high-level understanding of the Bank’s revenue, costs, and capital drivers  

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum of a first-degree qualification in Economics, Statistics, and other related degree- Preferably should be a CFA Chartered holder or in the process of achieving the qualification  

Minimum of 10 years experience in financial markets research with a sound understanding of the Equity space  

Experience in covering SSA market will be an added advantage  

Strong relationship with both the domestic and international institution client base  

Sound knowledge of the financial market and an appreciation of the dynamics of emerging markets  

Outstanding qualitative and quantitative analytical skills combined with an ability to apply judgment and think strategically   

Practical knowledge of computer software necessary for analyzing large volumes of statistical data  

Up-to-date knowledge of the financial market changes and evolving dynamics  

Strong attention to detail  

High level of integrity, well organized and detail-oriented    

Personable character and ability to engage with clients and stakeholders on research reports  

Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills  

Good leadership skills and willingness to be part of a team  

Competence  

Excellent communication, report and analytical writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills   

Strong Entrepreneurial drive  

Strong work ethic and ability to operate in a fast-changing environment (building a business)  

Ability to develop a wide network of business contacts and agents to accomplish professional objectives

Ability to work under pressure and drive results   

Applies effective analysis, logic, and creativity to identify and implement effective strategies    

Leadership & Management Skills  

Take full responsibility for performance management of all direct reports, focusing on all aspects of sound people management:    

Recruitment  

Development  

Performance Management  

Remuneration and Rewards  

Career path planning  

On-the-job training, coaching & mentoring  

Ensure appropriate coordination of departmental activities and assume accountability    

Motivate, delegate, and empower appropriately, enabling direct reports to take responsibility and display appropriate creativity and initiative with agreed parameters   

Monitor staff performance against agreed objectives and grow their skills where required   

Ensure the transfer of institutional knowledge within the team    

Promote and uphold RMB’s core values among staff and clients   

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Job Details

Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below.

06/01/25

All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group’s Employment Equity plan. The Bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.