Branch Consultant/ Financial Advisor - Northam

Who are we?

Sanlam Developing Markets (SDM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanlam Life Limited, is one of the top financial services providers in the South African entry-level and emerging middle market. It aims to understand the unique requirements of clients and offers a wide range of simple and affordable financial solutions that cover needs such as funeral insurance, savings for education, life cover, and personal accident plans. In terms of the Sanlam Group Governance Policy, SDM is managed by the SA Retail Mass cluster, which is part of the Sanlam Life and Savings cluster within the Sanlam Group. The cluster focuses on retail products, as well as group schemes.

Purpose of the Role

• To promote Sanlam Retail Mass (SRM)’s products and increase market share through:
o Providing sound financial advice and a high level of client service in a Branch context.
o Creating opportunities for client optimisation and cross-selling of value-added services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Sales delivery
• Gain and maintain an in-depth understanding of SRM product ranges.
• Understand the customer’s needs, financial goals, and means, and provide the right product (or selection of products) that will satisfy the goals of the customer in the best and most affordable way possible.
• Continuously update and inform customers of new products or changes in existing products. Manage, review, and incorporate the implications of product changes on the customer’s portfolio accordingly.
• Validate client details in line with product and regulatory requirements. Submit new business through the right channels.
• Conduct due diligence on clients to identify and flag risks.
• Manage own capacity to ensure daily appointments are prioritized while allowing time for and capitalizing on walk-in/non-appointment clients.

2. In-branch client service and client retention
• Responsible for servicing and managing all client profiles to ensure clients remain on the books.
o Send payment reminders, conduct follow-ups, and remain in contact to address potential queries or provide support.
o Manage and report on NTUs (clients Not Taken Up) by putting controls in place and taking corrective actions where required.
o Manage persistency of client payments in favor of both the branch and the client.
• Gain insight into client risk profiles to proactively identify where support will be required.
o Consult with clients on alternative payment arrangements and ensure it gets processed through and noted on the right platforms.
• Responsible for in-branch servicing in line with client experience standards:
o Apply product knowledge to accurately guide clients through policy cancellations and provide alternative options.
o Resolve various types of client queries in the branch as far as possible or escalate queries to the right stakeholders by using the existing escalation framework. Follow up on the status and continuously provide feedback to the client.

3. Quality, compliance, and continuous development
• Remain up to date with and continuously adhere to compliance and quality standards.
• Keep up to date with own registration, product knowledge, and maintenance of own CPD points.
• Identify risks and flag potentially fraudulent activities.
• Keep and store relevant records of advice.
• Log all activities as per regulations and standard operating procedures, and provide data to relevant stakeholders to inform reporting and decision-making.

4. Monthly planning and reporting
• Responsible for reporting on activities daily, through using relevant technology platforms.
• Collate data on activities to deliver on weekly and monthly reporting deadlines.
• Perform any ad-hoc requirements as requested by the Retail Branch Manager.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

Knowledge:
• Client service.
• Sales and cross-selling tactics and strategies (client optimisation).
• Knowledge of the Insurance landscape including regulatory requirements and guidelines for selling and providing advice would be ideal.
• Knowledge of insurance products would be advantageous.

Experience:
• One year experience in a sales or marketing capacity.
• Experience within insurance branches an advantage.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
• Persistently focused on achieving targets.
• Analysing information.
• Technologically oriented.
• Selling and influencing skills.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Strong communicator (verbally and in writing).
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Organising skills.
• Adaptable and open to learning.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Matric (Grade 12).
• RE5 a must.
• FAIS Compliant (Wealth Management) as per DOFA requirements.
• Class of Business training (to be completed within 12 months of employment).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
• Clear criminal and credit check.
• Own/Reliable transport.

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.