Senior Operations Manager

<p style="text-align:left"><span class="emphasis-2"><b>Let&#39;s Write Africa&#39;s Story Together!</b></span></p><p style="text-align:left"><span class="emphasis-2">Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this. </span></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><b>Job Description</b></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p>Symmetry is looking for an experienced Senior Operations Manager to lead and continuously improve the operational capability supporting our DFM business. <br><br>This senior, hands-on role sits at the intersection of investment management, implementation, platforms, data, technology, governance and client service. You will ensure that approved portfolio decisions are implemented accurately, efficiently and within a robust control framework, while helping us build a scalable operating model for future growth.<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><h1><b>Key responsibilities</b></h1><br /><ul><li>Own the end-to-end implementation of approved portfolio changes, rebalances, transitions and new model portfolios across investment platforms.</li><li>Manage platform and service-provider relationships, including portfolio setup, fund availability, issue resolution and service standards.</li><li>Maintain strong operational governance, maker-checker controls, reconciliations, audit trails and exception management.</li><li>Oversee portfolio, holdings, AUM and implementation data, including target-versus-actual monitoring and operational dashboards.</li><li>Lead process improvement, workflow design, automation and technology initiatives that reduce operational risk and support scale.</li><li>Coordinate the operational onboarding of new adviser practices, portfolios and investment solutions.</li><li>Provide Portfolio Managers with clear implementation status, constraints and exceptions. Investment decisions remain with the Portfolio Management team.</li><li>Lead and manage the DFM Operations team, with responsibility for team performance, development, capacity planning and cross-skilling, while fostering a culture of ownership, accuracy and continuous improvement.</li></ul><br /><p><i><b>These responsibilities offer an overview and a general outline of the role and are not exhaustive.</b></i></p><br /><p><b>Qualification, Skill and Experience</b></p><br /><ul><li>8&#43; years of relevant experience in DFM, investment operations, asset management, multi-management, wealth management or an investment platform.</li><li>Practical knowledge of model portfolios, portfolio rebalancing, unit trusts/CIS portfolios and discretionary investment implementation.</li><li>Experience working with LISPs, investment platforms, administrators and investment professionals.</li><li>Strong understanding of operational risk, controls, reconciliations, data quality and regulatory record keeping.</li><li>Proven people-leadership and stakeholder-management experience.</li><li>A track record of improving processes and using data, workflow or automation to make operations more effective.</li><li>A relevant tertiary qualification in finance, investments, commerce, accounting, economics, business science or a related discipline.</li><li>Category II FSP/DFM experience and exposure to local and offshore implementation would be advantageous.</li></ul><br /><h1><b>You will be</b></h1><ul><li>Accountable, detail-oriented and comfortable taking ownership through to resolution.</li><li>Investment-aware, control-minded and able to challenge incomplete or impractical instructions.</li><li>Collaborative, service-oriented and confident working across Investment, Compliance, Risk, Technology and external providers.</li></ul><p> </p>na<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><b>Skills</b></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p>Action Planning, Backlog Management, Change Management, Data Compilation, Executing Plans, Legal Practices, Occupational Safety and Health, Oral Communications, Organizational Design, Policies &amp; Procedures, Professional Presentation, Project Budget Management, Project Delivery Management, Readiness Assessments<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><b>Competencies</b></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p>Builds Effective Teams<h3></h3><h3></h3>Communicates Effectively<h3></h3><h3></h3>Customer Focus<h3></h3><h3></h3>Directs Work<h3></h3><h3></h3>Drives Engagement<h3></h3><h3></h3>Drives Results<h3></h3><h3></h3>Ensures Accountability<h3></h3><h3></h3>Financial Acumen<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><b>Education</b></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p>NQF Level 9 – Masters<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><b>Closing Date</b></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p>15 November 2026 , 23:59<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p><i><b>The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.</b></i></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:left"><i><span class="emphasis-2"><b>The Old Mutual Story!</b></span></i></p>