Investment Product Implementation Specialist

Job Advert Summary

Who we are:

PPS Investments is part of the PPS Group, which for over 8 decades has been the trusted financial partner for graduate professionals in South Africa. Unlike a company that is listed on a stock exchange, PPS belongs to its members and operates under the ethos of mutuality. This means that qualifying members can exclusively share in the profits of the Group, through the unique PPS Profit-Share Account.

PPS Investments exists to create and grow the wealth of graduate professionals and their families to live the lives they want in a world worth living in. We offer diversified and flexible investment solutions that are mutually beneficial to our clients in the long run because we believe that success is better shared.

About this role:

We are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Product Implementation Specialist to join our team in Cape Town. The ideal candidate will be responsible for ensuring the seamless and efficient implementation of new investment products, underlying managers, platforms, and solutions for our clients. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, project management skills, and a deep understanding of financial products and investment processes. The individual will collaborate closely with product, technology, operations, and client-facing teams to ensure successful delivery and integration of investment management products. As the subject matter expert, provide the knowledge and expertise for business rules, process and product rules within Asset Operations and to stakeholders. Fulfill the role of Product Manager within the PPS SAFe Agile Programme where they will be responsible for defining and supporting the building of desirable, feasible, viable, and sustainable solutions that meet client and stakeholder needs.

Minimum Requirements

Ideal experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in an Asset Management environment at a Senior Operations Level
• High level legal and regulatory knowledge applicable to the investment management industry
• Knowledge and experience in Financial Services industry with a sound understanding of investment management industry and financial instruments, both domestic and international
• Experience in working within Agile frameworks

Ideal qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics, Computer Science, or a related field. Advanced degrees or certifications (CFA, FRM, PMP) are a plus.

Competencies & ideal personality attributes:

• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of investment products (e.g., equities, fixed income, derivatives, mutual funds, ETFs), portfolio management systems, and financial technologies.
• Project Management: Proven experience in managing complex projects with cross-functional teams and delivering them on time and within budget.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex product and technical information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Client-Facing Skills: Experience working directly with clients and a customer-focused mindset.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to think critically and solve complex implementation issues.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous in managing project timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Adaptability: Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Team Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
• Client-Centric: Always striving to meet and exceed client expectations while maintaining strong professional relationships.
• Proactive: Able to anticipate potential challenges and proactively work toward solutions.

Systems knowledge:

• MS Office with advanced MS Excel

Duties and Responsibilities

• Product Implementation & Delivery
• Lead the end-to-end implementation process for new investment products, platforms, and solutions, ensuring timely, efficient, and accurate delivery.
• Lead new investment manages and termination end-to-end processes, ensuring timely, efficient, and accurate implementation.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including technology, operations, legal, compliance, and sales, to ensure smooth implementation.
• Develop detailed project plans, timelines, and milestones for each implementation, tracking progress and addressing any issues or delays.
• Manage client expectations throughout the implementation process, ensuring alignment with client needs and objectives.

• Client Onboarding & Relationship Management
• Serve as the main point of contact for internal and external clients during the implementation phase, providing ongoing support and communication.
• Understand clients’ and business’ needs and help implement product solutions to meet their objectives.
• Conduct product walkthroughs and training sessions for staff, ensuring they are equipped to implement and manage the new products effectively in their respective areas.

• Product Integration & Configuration
• Work closely with the technology and development teams to ensure the correct integration of new products with client systems, including data feeds, reporting tools, and investment platforms.
• Provide input into system configuration and ensure that all aspects of the product are aligned with business operational and technical requirements.
• Oversee data migration, reconciliation, and testing to ensure accuracy and integrity of data during the implementation process.

• Issue Resolution & Problem Solving
• Proactively identify and address potential challenges or roadblocks during the implementation process, working with internal teams and clients to resolve issues.
• Act as a liaison between technical teams and other stakeholders to ensure that any product or platform-related issues are quickly escalated and resolved.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of all issues, resolutions, and client feedback.

• Continuous Improvement & Knowledge Sharing
• Provide feedback to product and development teams on client needs, market trends, and product performance to drive continuous improvement.
• Develop best practices, guides, and training materials to enhance the product implementation process.
• Stay up to date on industry trends, regulatory changes, and new product offerings in the investment management space.

• Based on the nature of our business, honesty and integrity are inherent requirements for our roles.