The Role

 

The asset consulting division of WTW, a leading global professional services company, requires an investment consultant, based in our Cape Town offices, to contribute to Towers Watson’s Investment consulting activities. You will be expected, over time, to manage a portfolio of (smaller) clients and assist more senior consultants to deliver advice to larger/more complex clients. This covers a multitude of areas including investment strategy, implementation, reporting, provider selection and governance. Your primary responsibilities will include:

 

Client/Service Provider interaction 

Engaging with selected clients to determine the contents of meeting agendas  Co-ordinating client deliveries for investment committee meetings  Attending client meetings in both a lead and assisting role  Dealing with client queries on an on-going basis Ongoing liaison with client’ asset managers, administrators, auditors, etc

 

Client investment transitions 

Drawing up of investment manager transition plans Preparing of instructions for clients and engaging with investment managers around how best to give effect to these instructions Monitoring of the transition process including to ensure that all transactions are implemented timeously and accurately  Preparing of a report setting out all the transactions and the reconciliation of all the asset flows 

Reviewing of the following client deliveries and managing the process to ensure that the services are delivered in accordance with agreed service level agreements

Maintaining clients’ Statements of Investment Principles Monthly fact sheets Quarterly performance reports Daily and monthly unit pricing calculations Asset liability matching including engaging with the administrator to resolve any asset/ liability mismatches Regulation 28 compliance reports SARB quarterly returns Correctness of fees

Depending on the nature and depth of candidate’ experience, responsibilities could also include:

 

Responsibility for a portfolio of institutional clients, providing all aspects of advice as required by the clients, with relevant support from the members of the investment team.  (We envisage that this will quite rapidly develop into the key element of your role, and that over time you will have the opportunity to take “ownership” of a significant client portfolio.) Participation in fund manager research, as required by agreement with the investment team. Carrying out specific investment research projects or investment performance analysis projects, as may be required of the investment team from time to time. Assisting other consultants with any relevant investment consulting issues

 

The Requirements

 

Bachelor’s degree with actuarial or any other financial/ mathematical specialization; relevant professional qualifications such as CFA preferredExceptional client focus and a record of supporting the management of client relationshipsProject management skills and experienceUnderstanding of investment management organizations and their role in client solutionsExcellent oral and written communication skillsWillingness to mentor junior colleagues to assist in developing our talent poolAdvanced experience with the MS Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word and Outlook (Access would be an advantage)Registered Representative in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act.

All candidates who have the necessary qualifications / experience and meet our requirements may apply.  Willis Towers Watson fully supports the employment equity objectives of the Financial Sector Code and preference may be given to candidates from certain designated groups.

 

WTW is committed to finding opportunities to promote workplace flexibility when possible based on the needs of our customers and the company.