Sanlam Investment Group The Sanlam Investment Group is uniquely equipped and positioned to deliver on its purpose of empowering generations to be financially confident, secure and prosperous. Through our vast in-house expertise and strategic partner networks, we can access all asset classes across the globe, private and public, actively and passively managed, to develop investment solutions that are in our clients’ best interests and have a positive impact on society. Backed by the Sanlam Group’s balance sheet, the Sanlam Investment Group has a true competitive advantage in its ability to invest alongside clients, particularly in private markets where impact investing drives the agenda.
The Sanlam Investment Group is one of the largest, most diversified financial services and investment firms in Southern Africa with assets under management and administration of more than R2 trillion. It is a B-BBEE level 1 contributor and one of the largest black-empowered asset managers on the African continent.
Purpose of the role
As a Human Capital Business Partner (HCBP) at Sanlam Investments, you will be integral in advancing the human capital strategy within the organization. This role involves collaborating with key stakeholders to drive HR initiatives that align with Sanlam’s broader business goals. You will act as a strategic advisor, ensuring that human capital plans support the company’s growth and market leadership in the investment industry.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Human Capital Partnering:
Partner with senior leadership to understand business priorities and translate them into effective human capital solutions that drive growth at Sanlam Investments.
Deliver tailored HR solutions aligned with workforce planning, talent acquisition, and leadership development needs, supporting the company’s investment strategy.
Develop HR Plan for specific business area, cascading the overarching SI HR Strategic plan and budget.
Partner with the business to develop, implement and manage people strategies to support the delivery of the business strategy.
Consult with the business on people requirements - to facilitate, advise and get operationally involved where appropriate.
Talent Management & Development:
Lead the design and implementation of talent management programs that address succession planning, leadership development, and retention of top talent.
Drive the continuous professional development of Sanlam Investments workforce, with an emphasis on nurturing future leaders in the investment industry.
Establish collaborative relationships with the team and business leaders to execute talent programs and initiatives.
Facilitate the talent and development conversation with line managers, including succession planning. Challenge and debate evidence presented for objectivity and fairness. Assist with documenting agreed actions and outcomes.
Engage line managers on current and future talent needs, using the talent framework to advise and influence client decisions.
Drive alignment with Sanlam Group talent framework, policies and processes.
Support the end-to-end talent acquisition process to provide for current and future talent needs, where demand is not filled by internal talent.
Assist line managers with the development and cascading of goals.
Build line capability to facilitate the performance management process and assist in applying consistent processes.
Ensure that each employee has a completed development plan.
Assist line managers with proactive talent interventions for HIPO’s and strategically critical roles.
Assist line managers with poor performance management as needed.
Performance Management & Employee Engagement:
Drive a culture of high performance by managing Sanlam’s performance review process, providing coaching to leaders on best practices, and ensuring alignment between individual and company goals.
Utilize employee engagement data to develop initiatives that enhance the employee experience, focusing on inclusion, well-being, and career satisfaction.
Implement year-end remuneration review timetable to facilitate the discussion around TGP review, performance bonus and long-term share incentive awards, and alignment with remuneration philosophy, performance review ratings and talent processes.
Facilitate mid-year process to ensure remuneration benchmarks are current, and mid-year increases are applied for, as required.
Ensure that each employee has a completed mid-year and year end performance review.
Key Responsibilities (Continued)
Diversity & Inclusion:
Promote Sanlam Investments’ commitment to diversity and inclusion by driving initiatives that enhance workforce representation and equity.
Partner with leadership to embed inclusive policies and foster a culture that attracts diverse talent across the investment industry.
Change Management & Organizational Effectiveness:
Guide leaders through complex organizational changes, ensuring that HR interventions are aligned with Sanlam’s strategic priorities, particularly in times of transformation or expansion.
Facilitate initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness, creating a collaborative, adaptive, and innovative work environment.
Compensation & Benefits:
Collaborate with Compensation and Benefits teams to ensure Sanlam offers competitive remuneration packages, particularly for highly specialized roles in asset management.
Support the design of incentive programs and retention strategies that align with industry benchmarks and the company’s performance objectives.
Data-Driven Decision Making:
Use HR analytics and insights to guide business decisions, leveraging metrics such as turnover, employee engagement, and development tracking to inform leadership.
Present regular reports to senior leadership, offering data-driven recommendations on human capital strategies.
Industrial Relations
Understand and apply the relevant legislation, policies and procedures (e.g. SIG ER Policy, BCEA, LRA) when dealing with each matter.
Assist line managers and employees with the interpretation and the administration of any IR/ER issues, e.g. disciplinary and grievance procedures.
Attend CCMA as and when required.
Learning and Development:
Consult with businesses on learning objectives and consolidate into overall SI objective throughout the year.
Track learning spend to meet skills development targets.
Encourage line managers to have developmental conversations with team members and monitor implementation of identified training or developmental interventions.
Identify learning needs on an ongoing basis, and feed into the overall learning and development plan.
Ensure business adheres to SIG L&D philosophy and practices.
Leadership Development:
Implement leadership development initiatives identified at SIG and SI level.
Identify leadership development opportunities, implement and monitor the effectiveness thereof, including the development of internal young talent.
Identify individuals for leadership development together with line management for Sanlam Group programmes and conferences.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Business Administration, or related field.
5-7 years of experience in a Human Capital Business Partnering role within Financial Services.
Strong knowledge of South African labour laws and compliance standards, particularly in financial services.
Proficiency in HR systems and tools to drive operational efficiency.
Ability to travel as required.
Investment Sector Knowledge: Deep understanding of the asset management sector, including industry trends, talent drivers, and regulatory requirements relevant to Sanlam Investments.
Business Acumen: Strong ability to align HR strategies with business goals, ensuring that human capital initiatives contribute to Sanlam’s market performance.
Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, capable of influencing senior leaders and managing complex HR challenges.
Leadership: Proven track record of leading human capital initiatives that improve performance, engagement, and talent retention in a fast-paced investment environment.
Analytical Thinking: Proficiency in using data and metrics to diagnose HR challenges and drive strategic decisions.
Change Management: Expertise in leading organizational change initiatives, especially in a dynamic, performance-driven environment.
Knowledge and Skills
HR Consulting and Solutions orientation
Data analysis and interpretation and trend analysis within complex business environment
Business understanding
Complex HR Support
Personal Attributes
Courage - Contributing through others
Manages complexity - Contributing through others
Ensures accountability - Contributing through others
Plans and aligns - Contributing through others
Core Competencies
Cultivates innovation - Contributing through others
Customer focus - Contributing through others
Drives results - Contributing through others
Being resilient - Contributing through others
Collaborates - Contributing through others
Build a successful career with us
We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.
Our commitment to transformation
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 ensure 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.