Sanlam Investments East Africa (SIEA) is a leading fund manager in the region and has a strong record of accomplishment in service delivery and performance,with over KShs 230 billion (approximately US$ 2.3 billion) in assets under management. SIEA is part of the Sanlam Group, through its subsidiary Sanlam Emerging Markets. The Sanlam Group is a leading financial services group with operations in more than 30 African countries and a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

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Chief Operating Officer

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the successful candidate will have the following responsibilities:

Investment Operations: Lead and manage the investment operations activities, resources and service delivery standards by driving continuous process improvement, operational efficiency and automation initiatives; ensure accurate and timely administration of client accounts and reporting; maintain operational controls within regulatory requirements and build strong working relationships with third party service providers.

Unit Trust Operations: Oversee all unit trust operational activities and resources, ensure accurate processing and administration of investor transactions and client accounts, adherence to trust deeds, regulatory requirements and SLAs; identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, client service and enhance risk management.

Information Technology: Provide overall leadership of the function ensuring appropriate and optimised infrastructure, systems and equipment, ensure adherence to information security and data protection policies and oversee the maintenance and testing of the Business Continuity Plan and disaster recovery arrangements.

Human Resources and Administration: Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability, inclusivity and excellence by leading and strengthening end to end HR functions, ensure employee benefits administration and maintenance of accurate personnel records. They will also direct office administration and facilities management to ensure a safe, productive and professional working environment.

Financial Management and reporting: Oversight of annual operating budget, financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, coordinate annual audits, tax reviews and regulatory reporting, maintain financial policies and controls and monitor financial performance and recommend corrective actions where necessary. They will also ensure accurate, meaningful financial reporting to the management and to the Board.

Company Secretarial and Legal Affairs: Oversee corporate governance and company secretarial matters and act as the primary liaison with external legal advisors as required, coordinate Board and Committee meetings and preparation of related communication; maintain statutory records and governance documentation; ensure compliance with all applicable legal, statutory and regulatory obligations; ensure legal due diligence, contract reviews and document management.

Compliance and Regulatory Oversight: Oversee the compliance function to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, obligations and internal policies; ensure accurate and timely submission of regulatory returns and reports; ensure effectiveness of compliance systems, coordinate audits, inspections and timely resolution of findings and recommendations and promote a strong culture of compliance.

• Lead and manage the investment operations activities, resources and service delivery standards by driving continuous process improvement, operational efficiency and automation initiatives; ensure accurate and timely administration of client accounts and reporting; maintain operational controls within regulatory requirements and build strong working relationships with third party service providers.
• Oversee all unit trust operational activities and resources, ensure accurate processing and administration of investor transactions and client accounts, adherence to trust deeds, regulatory requirements and SLAs; identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, client service and enhance risk management.
• Provide overall leadership of the function ensuring appropriate and optimised infrastructure, systems and equipment, ensure adherence to information security and data protection policies and oversee the maintenance and testing of the Business Continuity Plan and disaster recovery arrangements.
• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, accountability, inclusivity and excellence by leading and strengthening end to end HR functions, ensure employee benefits administration and maintenance of accurate personnel records. They will also direct office administration and facilities management to ensure a safe, productive and professional working environment.
• Oversight of annual operating budget, financial planning, budgeting and forecasting, coordinate annual audits, tax reviews and regulatory reporting, maintain financial policies and controls and monitor financial performance and recommend corrective actions where necessary. They will also ensure accurate, meaningful financial reporting to the management and to the Board.
• Oversee corporate governance and company secretarial matters and act as the primary liaison with external legal advisors as required, coordinate Board and Committee meetings and preparation of related communication; maintain statutory records and governance documentation; ensure compliance with all applicable legal, statutory and regulatory obligations; ensure legal due diligence, contract reviews and document management.
• Oversee the compliance function to ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, obligations and internal policies; ensure accurate and timely submission of regulatory returns and reports; ensure effectiveness of compliance systems, coordinate audits, inspections and timely resolution of findings and recommendations and promote a strong culture of compliance.