Branch Manager – East Rand Mall

Sanlam Developing Markets (SDM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sanlam Life Limited, provides financial solutions to customers in South Africa’s entry-level and emerging middle market.

The business offers a range of financial products designed to meet everyday customer needs, including funeral insurance, savings, life cover and personal accident plans.

The Branch Manager will be responsible for managing the branch’s overall performance, growing its customer base and revenue, supporting sales consultants, maintaining service standards and ensuring that branch activities are aligned with the organisation’s strategy.

This position combines sales leadership, customer service, people management, branch operations, compliance and business planning.

As a Branch Manager, your responsibilities may include:

• Developing and overseeing the implementation of the retail branch strategy.
• Growing the branch customer base and revenue.
• Guiding and coordinating Sales Consultants in line with branch goals and objectives.
• Establishing and maintaining a strong customer service culture.
• Managing the day-to-day operations and administration of the retail branch.
• Supporting retail sales delivery and ensuring that branch targets are pursued.
• Developing business plans and contributing to branch strategy.
• Monitoring compliance, quality and risk management requirements.
• Managing people-related practices for direct reports in collaboration with HR.
• Supporting talent management, performance management and employee development.
• Assisting with leave planning, capacity management and the resolution of workplace grievances.
• Conducting monthly planning and reporting on branch sales and service activities.
• Identifying important internal and external stakeholders and developing appropriate engagement strategies.
• Building relationships with stakeholders such as Area Managers, Business Owners, activation sites and community forums.
• Leading and motivating the branch team to achieve business objectives.

Qualifications

• Matric / Grade 12.
• RE1 and RE5.
• 120 Wealth Management credits or a tertiary qualification recognised by the FSCA.
• Annual Class of Business accreditation.
• Compliance with current and previous CPD requirements.

Experience

• At least 5 years of recent industry experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in a leadership capacity.
• Service Management experience is essential.
• Insurance sales experience.
• Credit and lending experience.

Skills and Knowledge

• Sales tactics and approaches.
• Customer service and customer engagement.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks, policies and standards.
• Knowledge of Sanlam insurance products would be advantageous.
• People management principles and practices.
• Business acumen.
• Computer literacy.
• Data and analytics, including data visualisation.
• Project management.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Strong verbal and written communication.
• Team leadership and motivation.
• Target-driven approach.
• Planning and organisational skills.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn.
• Resilience and ability to work through change.

Personal Attributes

The role requires an individual who can:

• Build effective relationships and work through others.
• Make sound decisions.
• Direct and coordinate work effectively.
• Improve and optimise work processes.
• Maintain a strong focus on customers.
• Drive results.
• Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Remain resilient in a changing environment.
• Contribute to innovation and continuous improvement.

Before submitting your application, make sure your CV clearly demonstrates:

• Your 5+ years of relevant financial services or industry experience.
• Your leadership experience, including the size or nature of teams you have managed.
• Experience in insurance sales, credit and lending, and service management.
• Your RE1 and RE5 qualifications.
• Your Wealth Management credits or relevant FSCA-recognised qualification.
• Current Class of Business accreditation and CPD compliance.
• Examples of sales targets, customer growth or business results you have contributed to.
• Experience with compliance, risk management and branch operations.
• Examples of stakeholder engagement and relationship management.

A Branch Manager in this role can expect to work across several areas of a retail financial services operation.

The position combines branch management, sales leadership, customer service, employee development, operational oversight and compliance. You will work with Sales Consultants and internal and external stakeholders while monitoring branch performance and supporting business objectives.

The role also provides exposure to planning, reporting, people management, customer engagement and the implementation of branch-level strategies.

Applicants should submit their application through the official Sanlam recruitment process.

The shortlisting process will begin once the application due date has been reached. The time required to complete the recruitment process may vary depending on the applicant's progress through the process and the availability of managers.

Review the requirements carefully before submitting your application. This is a management-level position with specific regulatory, industry and leadership requirements.

In particular, check that your RE1, RE5, Wealth Management or FSCA-recognised qualification, Class of Business accreditation and CPD requirements are up to date where applicable.

Your CV should also make it easy for the recruitment team to identify your leadership experience and your involvement in sales, customer service, branch operations and business performance.

Vacancy Portal’s Application Tip

For a Branch Manager position, avoid submitting a CV that only lists your responsibilities. Show evidence of your results.

For example, instead of simply saying:

“Managed a team of sales consultants.”

Explain the scale and impact of your leadership, such as the size of the team, sales targets managed, customer growth achieved, service improvements implemented or operational challenges resolved.

Also place your RE1, RE5, Wealth Management credits, Class of Business accreditation and CPD compliance somewhere clearly visible on your CV.

For this type of position, your application should quickly demonstrate three things: you understand the financial services environment, you can lead people, and you can manage business performance.

Source: Sanlam Group recruitment information
Official application: [Insert official Sanlam application link]

Sanlam Group states that it is committed to transformation, diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace.

The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.

Vacancy Portal provides job information to help job seekers discover employment opportunities. While reasonable efforts are made to present vacancy information accurately, applicants should verify the position details, closing date, requirements and application process on the employer's official recruitment platform before applying.

Vacancy Portal does not guarantee employment and is not responsible for recruitment decisions made by the employer.