Distribution Channel Director

SUMMARY:
Distribution Channel Director

POSITION INFO:

A unique opportunity to join one of South Africa’s largest FSP’s as a Channel Director.

The successful candidate will be responsible for translating and operationalizing the company’s strategy to develop and implement a new generation PSA (Product Supplier Agents) channel.

The role is accountable for footprint growth and client expansion while using social media, digital processes and technology and in line with the company’s holistic financial wellness approach. The role will lead this new tied channel to significantly contribute to the company’s vision of emerging as the most accountable, competitive and professional advice business in South Africa.

Contribute to the company''s channel growth and engagement strategy by leading the establishment of a fully-fledged tied advisor channel:

Identify, implement and oversee the new channel initiative aimed at growing a fully-fledged tied advisor force nationally in line with the company''s financial wellness strategy; contributing to the overall company’s strategy and outcomes.
Collaborate with the brand and marketing team to plan and execute initiatives to establish the channel and engage networks, franchises and advisors;
Collaborate with Human Capital to ensure recruitment and selection in line with strategic and tactical objectives of new channel advisor force;
Collaborate with Institute of the company to ensure sustainable and professional vesting of agency force by providing them with sufficient and appropriate knowledge and skills;
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure newly established agency force is equipped with appropriate digital tools and processes; while applying necessary interventions to ensure well-vested digital and virtual adoption;
Engage with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for growth of advisor force and client footprint;
Collaborate with marketing, product providers and external role players to recruit and acquire new clients using both digital and traditional mechanisms.
Be the brand ambassador for the company.
Ensure that a detailed activity management process is agreed and managed daily on an advisor level;
Develop plans and tactics for the achievement of footprint growth by acquiring advisors and creating a geographical footprint of managers and supervisors;
Generate interest for the company’s value proposition in line with tactical strategy of demographic and geographic establishment and expansion
Effectively initiate, execute and oversee the supervision process for all advisors under supervision;
Set new business targets in terms of growth and engagement and drive the achievement of targets to increase new business and the acquisition of new clients;
Contribute to the design process in response to client requirements and client experience in order to effectively package and market products or solutions to meet financial wellness needs of clients;
Develop and implement new business development plans with regards to growth and engagement, which will expand presence in existing markets, penetrate new markets and develop new client relationships in untapped demographical areas in line with the ethos of client centricity and legislative requirements;
Analyse and interpret data to track progress and make corrective decisions;
Collaborate with existing channels within the company, to ensure the fulfilment of objectives of the respective strategies of all business segments and client engagements;

Lead and grow the channel in a client centric manner to contribute to client growth, engagement and retention (Client perspective):

Establish and embed a conducive culture focussed on advice and sustainable client relationships;
Identify and create strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders to understand business priorities and requirements;
Provide credible and appropriate expertise and advice to network of managers, supervisors and tied advisors with the purpose to enable client growth and retention;
Build and maintain relationships with managers, supervisors and tied advisors in order to deliver on service level agreements with regards to professionalism, accountability and competitive targets;
Make recommendations to improve client service and fair treatment of clients within area of responsibility;
Participate and contribute to a culture which builds sustainable relationships, facilitates feedback and provides exceptional client service;
Work in conjunction with brand and marketing manager to enable managers, supervisors and tied advisors to deploy effective strategies towards client growth and retention.

Effectively lead team (People):

Establish productive, professional relationships with key stakeholders in the various networks;
Attract, select and recruit suitably qualified talent in line with Employment Equity principles, the company’s Growth plan and the company’s values;
Create a positive work climate and culture to energise employees, minimise work disruption and maximise employee and advisor productivity and retention;
Demonstrate exemplary leadership through personal involvement, inclusive leadership, commitment and dedication in support of organisational values;
Drive a culture that guides and directs best practice, fostering an environment of continuous learning, improvement and cohesiveness;
Execute effective workforce planning practices to ensure that staffing requirements are accurately forecasted and executed;
Identify employee and advisor growth and development needs and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure interventions enabling ongoing development, training and personal growth;
Effectively drive performance excellence within the team in order to ensure business objectives are achieved by setting team goals and having regular dialogue to achieve meaningful and significant impact;
Encourage innovation, ensure integrity in communication, change agility and collaboration within the team.

Ensure Efficient and Effective Practice (Finance):

Support the company and advice strategy and compliance in line with relevant strategy
Control the budget for area, including the authorisation of expenditures and implementation of financial regulations;
Manage high risk and financial issues in area of accountability;
Implement and manage financial risk methodologies, techniques and systems and use to monitor and report on financial activities;
Investigate reported wilful acts of non-compliance to organisation policy and practice and report on findings;
Control the budget for area, including the authorisation of expenditures and implementation of financial regulations;
Identify solutions to enhance cost effectiveness and increase operational efficiency;
Implement risk management, governance and compliance policies in own practice area, to identify and manage governance and risk exposure;
Participate in the effectiveness of financial policy, practice and procedures preventing illegal, unethical or improper conduct.

Qualifications:

Relevant Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
Certified Financial Planner

Experience:

8+ years’ experience in the retail industry preferred,
5+ years’ experience managing an agency network within the financial services industry
3+ years’ of leading the establishment and development of a provincial/regional/national footprint of financial advisors
3+ years’ experience in technology utilisation in financial services