Careers

​Position: Life Specialist (3D)                                                                                                         

Closing Date: 30 April 2021

Department: Life Broker Services

Reporting Line: LBS Regional Sales Manager

Location: Johannesburg North

Purpose of the Job:

PPS Life Broker Services has an opportunity for a service-driven professional with a strong need for financial independence to build our base of intermediaries. The role involves business development and relationship management within a base of Life Assurance Intermediaries that we are intending to grow. The LBS Life Specialist must work with and through others to build and maintain relationships, working closely and accurately within established guidelines is essential in this role.  The LBS Life Specialist must be aware of and responsive to the needs and concerns of customers.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Supporting and servicing intermediaries in their sales efforts by preparing quotes, statement of benefits and other relevant supporting information
• Constant communication and feedback to Advisors relating to all aspects of intermediary operations
• Planning, organising and controlling liaisons with intermediaries, their managers
• Ensuring continuous improvement of service standards to clients.
• Ensuring alignment to Treating Customers Fairly (TCF), in all business practices

Formal Qualifications:

• Grade 12 (Matric) 
• A three year or higher Bachelor’s degree or National Diploma
• South African drivers licence and must have own transport
• A completed NQF 5 – Wealth Management or RFP 3 would be advantageous

Experience and Knowledge:

• At least 2 years’ experience in the Financial Services or Life Assurance industry in a sales and/or service-related role
• Intermediate knowledge of the Life Assurance or Financial Services Industry
• Knowledge (and skill) in how to successfully influence and persuade others by understanding how their individual needs and motivations link to goals is essential

Computer Literacy:

• MS Office package, particularly Internet, Outlook and Excel

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Relating to customers                   
• Communicating in writing             
• Communicating orally                   
• Quality orientated                       
• Reliable                                         
• Customer focused
• Resilient
• Results-driven

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates

Please send your applications to recruitment@pps.co.za

Position: Senior Manager: Actuarial Valuation (4D)                                                                   

Closing Date: 30 April 2021

Division: Actuarial Services

Reporting Line: Executive: Actuarial Services

Location: Johannesburg, Parktown

Purpose of the Job: 

Reporting to the Executive: Actuarial Services, this role will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the actuarial valuation tasks for Life (i.e. participating traditional/investment account, annuities, etc) and other allocated products. This includes managing actuarial resources in a financial unit that provides financial and actuarial analysis to PPS Group.

It is also expected that the incumbent interacts with the Head of Actuarial Function and the Group’s external auditors. This includes the valuation of liabilities, calculation of embedded values, setting of regulatory capital requirements and completion of returns, analysis and allocation of profits, product inputs for business planning and any corresponding commentary. To analyse and communicate the results to broader business stakeholders, with the support of the Actuarial Executive.

This position will interact with other teams within the Actuarial Services department, as well as with other departments within the PPS Group.

Main duties and responsibilities: 

• Responsible for Actuarial Valuations and reporting for PPS Insurance to the Group Actuarial Committee (a Board sub-committee) and the Regulator
• Managing the end-to-end maintenance, improvement, documentation of systems, valuation processes and bases for profits/liability calculations
• Support the necessary experience investigations for expenses, lapse, morbidity and mortality in order to maintain the assumption bases
• Responsible for contributing to changes and improvements to the valuation and analysis methodology where required
• Recommending bonuses and crediting rates for the participating business
• Managing priorities and delivering in a timely and efficient manner
• Management of the Actuarial Services Valuations team
• Developing, mentoring and managing Analysts and Senior Analysts
• Driving and overseeing a culture of continuous improvements in efficiency and simplification
• Monitoring and reporting business insights to the Group Executive Committee and the Product Development department on product experience and identify potential trends and issues
• Submitting monthly and quarterly reports
• Ensuring both the ongoing competitiveness and attractiveness of the fully underwritten individual Life risk product range from a valuations perspective
• Delivering efficient and consistent support and service to all internal and external clients, hence ensuring a quality interaction and relationship with all stakeholders
• Analysing business processes to improve efficiency and the overall customer/intermediary experience
• Developing and managing analytics effectively and efficiently
• Managing and ensuring the implementation of the PPS eligibility policy
• Collaborating with all the other relevant stakeholders (internal and external) such as claims, underwriting, research, reinsurance partners, distribution teams, etc
• Understanding and maintaining actuarial models/processes both in terms of the regulatory and commercial environment
• Contributing towards projects, initiatives, queries and other team initiatives

Forma Qualifications:

• Matric (Grade 12)
• Degree in Actuarial Science
• Well on-route to obtain or completed Fellowship within the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA) or Institute or Faculty of Actuaries (UK), i.e. a nearly qualified or recently qualified actuary
• Good computer knowledge - MS Outlook, Excel and Word are necessary, and some PROPHET (actuarial software) knowledge is preferable

Knowledge and Experience:

• Must have at least 5 to 12 years’ relevant experience in the Life Insurance actuarial environment
• Must have excellent communication skills and the proven ability to lead a team of 3-5 actuarial resources
• Knowledge and understanding of Valuations in the Life Insurance Industry

Strategic Orientation:

• Communicate insights gained in analyses to the business in order to influence and contribute to strategy setting and business decision making

Communication:

• Articulates and communicates in a logical and structure manner information to meet the needs and understanding of intended audiences
• Expresses opinions, information and key points of view clearly and assertively
• Confident in conceptualising, building and presenting plans related presentations
• Anticipates and responds appropriately to the needs, reactions and feedback of an audience

Commercial Acumen:

• Demonstrates awareness of market trends and opportunities and keeps up to date with competitor developments impacting area of responsibility

Computer Literacy:

• Adept in the use of the latest MS Office package, particularly Excel, Word and Power-point
• Equipped to use the actuarial software (PROPHET) to carry out valuations and calculations

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Analysing data and extrapolating insights
• Applying expertise and technology
• Working with people
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Achieving personal work goals and objectives
• Adapting and responding to change
• Adhering to principles and values
• Responsible and accountable

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates

Please send your applications to recruitment@pps.co.za

​Position: Graduate Advisor (3A)                                                                                                  

Closing Date: 30 April 2021

Division: Graduate Divisi

Reporting Line: Graduate Sales Manager

Location: Pretoria

Purpose of the Job: 

This is a three-year internship position and is designed to be used as a springboard to launch a young graduate professional’s career in the financial industry. The successful candidate must have the desire and long-term vision to build a professional practice for professionals by marketing risk and investment products from a well-established platform. Because this period is recognised as the building period, the intern will have to be target-orientated and motivated by incentive remuneration, as the package is incentivised and linked to sales targets.

The Graduate Advisor will be responsible for prospecting and building a client base within the young professional student base.

Main duties and responsibilities: 

• Have a very focused approach towards becoming a professional Financial Planner
• Building a client base by selling the PPS student product range to PPS student members
• Hosting financial workshops for students and young professionals
• Educate existing clients on sound financial principles
• Must be willing to be mentored and trained by experienced managers in this newly developed model
• Guiding students and young professionals on making the correct financial choices from the start
• Liaising with a PPS Marketing Specialist on all marketing activities and workshops on campus
• Making appointments with existing PPS student members to discuss the PPS student product range and benefits 
• Adhering to the regulation and compliance process of the financial industry
• Staying up to date and excel in terms of qualifications and knowledge of the financial industry

Formal Qualifications: 

• Matric (Grade 12)
• A relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification
• CFP would be advantageous

Experience and Knowledge:

• Insurance industry related knowledge and experience would be advantageous
• Knowledge of the PPS product range and PPS membership would be an advantage

Computer Literacy:

• Computer Literate (MS Office Package) 

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Able to relate to customers within a diverse market
• Customer Focused 
• Good verbal and written communication skills       
• Good presentation skills
• Results Driven
• Quality Orientated                       
• Reliable                                         
• Resilient

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates

Please send your applications to recruitment@pps.co.za

Position: Virtual Financial Advisor (12 Months Fixed Temp) (3D)                                        

Closing Date: 30 April 2021

Division:  Advisory Services and Enablement

Reporting Line: Regional General Manager and Call Centre Manager

Location: Johannesburg, Parktown

Purpose of the Job: 

The key purpose of this role is to provide professional financial services to a client or a member via virtual platforms. The successful candidate will be responsible for sourcing, retaining and growing a membership and client base for eligible professionals by implementing PPS financial solutions in line with the clients’ needs. 

The Virtual Financial Advisor serves as a point contact (phone, email, SMS, WhatsApp, Skype, MS Teams, web chat) for the clients. The incumbent must be digitally astute and should ensure that client journey mapping is aligned to the needs of clients and members.

Main duties and responsibilities: 

• Preparing and presenting proposals to existing and potential clients using state-of-the-art financial planning tools virtually
• Providing suitable advice to best fit the needs and requirements of professionals virtually
• Managing inbound calls, online and Virtual queries and requests from customers seeking advice on their Insurance needs
• Managing, reviewing and approving all clients’ activity. Educating and guides our clients regarding services and products offered
• Selling products over the telephone in a hybrid mode i.e. inbound and Outbound
• Maximising each inbound call received by attempting to convert it into a sale
• Achieving sales targets and objectives
• Meeting clients virtually to understand their financial objectives
• Virtually explaining complex information relating to Financial Advisory in a clear and effortless way
• Managing, maintaining and building new and existing client relationships virtually
• Adhering to compliance, operational procedures and practice management standards to minimize business risk 
• Staying abreast of product information, performance and industry changes
• Adapting and changing to fit in with changing business operational requirements 
• Building a professional network and suitable business within the professional market in a virtual environment

Formal Qualifications: 

• Matric (Grade 12)
• Relevant commercial/financial tertiary qualification (NQF 7)
• RE5
• Completed supervision
• Commercial insurance related qualification advantageous
• Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning or studying towards this qualification will be advantageous
• CFP advantageous

Experience and Knowledge:

• 2 years' experience in the Financial Services industry in a Sales role within the Long Term or Short-Term Insurance and/or Investments spaces
• Experience and track record in high-performance sales environments
• Previous experience in client services or call centre environment advantageous
• Short Term insurance experience beneficial
• Medical Aid experience beneficial
• Knowledge and understanding of financial planning through meaningful client engagements
• Good understanding of SLA in a contact centre space
• Experience using Digital Financial Planning tools ( Avalon, X-plan, Asset Map) - advantageous
• Experience using Video conferencing tools (MS Teams, Skype for business, WhatsApp) – advantageous

Computer Literacy:

• MS Office package, particularly Internet, Outlook and Excel
• Exposure to tools such as digital signature software, video software, support software, Outlook, Excel, snipping tools will be advantageous

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Able to understand and warmup clients through technology and innovation
• Able to close deals via virtual platforms (calls, video calls, etc)
• Good communicator - must be comfortable speaking on the phone and in video demonstrations
• Able to build and maintain relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to adapt quickly to changing requirements or environments
• Effective and concise communication with clients
• Able to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
• Multi-tasking and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks
• Highly organised and detail-oriented
• Professionalism

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates

Please send your applications to recruitment@pps.co.za

Position: Team Manager:  Investment (4A)                                                                                

Closing Date: 15 April 2021

Division: Group Finance

Reporting Line: Manager: Group Finance

Location: Johannesburg, Parktown

Purpose of the Job: 

The Investment Team Manager Group Finance is responsible for the general ledger entries  and reporting of investment financial information for PPS Group. The incumbent will have overall responsibility for Investment Accounting – reviewing of the general ledger, reporting, reconciling and commentary of all group investments.

Main duties and responsibilities: 

Reviewing and ensuring of:

• Journals to ensure PPS records are updated with asset managers’ records
• Accurate allocation of transactions within mandate and rules
• Compliance with mandates
• General ledger records are accurate and are a true reflection of the investment accounting
• Investment Income is accounted for and are accurate in the general ledger
• Monthly reconciliations of investment reports to general ledger
• Capital Gains Tax schedules and the completeness and accuracy of reports
• Rework of Profit and loss quarterly for financial year-end reporting
• Monthly investment fees are recorded and management fees for consolidation are prepared
• Unit trust consolidation entries
• Monthly dividend tax calculations
• Providing management and the PPS Board with accurate information and value-added commentary for month-end and year-end reporting

Budgeting:

• Assisting with the preparation and capturing of the investment budget
• Preparing budget presentations for ExCo and Board budget meetings with value-added commentary on all variances
• Investigating and explaining monthly variances to budget on all key numbers

Year-end reporting:

• Assisting with and preparing financial information for the annual financial statements
• Bank confirmation letters for financial year-end reporting
• Attending to internal and external audit queries
• Assisting with the submission of the annual tax return (CGT base cost adjustment)

Statutory reporting:

• Attending to audit queries
• Solvency Asset (SAM) requirements
• Investment Asset Allocation Reporting - Reserve Bank Returns
• SA Reserve Bank Return (C68 –SARB and Asset allocation)
• Namibia reporting (NAMFISA and Regulation 15)

Business related issues:

• Responding to queries from business timeously
• Ensuring the smooth transition to the investment admin automation system
• Assisting with ad hoc requests

Formal Qualifications: 

• Matric (Grade 12)
• BCom with at least 5 years’ experience
• Preferably CA(SA)

Experience and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the Insurance industry an advantage
• Knowledge of investments essential
• Good accounting knowledge and proven track record

Strategic Orientation: 

• This role gives good exposure to and understanding of the investment accounting and related transactions
• Relationship building with various asset managers and within the business
• Insight into key drivers of the business’ most crucial numbers

Communication:

• Articulate and communicates in a logical way and structures information to meet the needs and understanding of intended audiences, including senior management/executives
• Expresses opinions, information and key points of view clearly and assertively
• Confident in conceptualising, building and presenting plans-related to presentations
• Anticipates and responds appropriately to the needs, reactions and feedback of various stakeholders internally and externally

Commercial Acumen:

• Able to prioritise and work under pressure
• Able to meet strict deadlines
• Managing process and people to meet strategic objectives
• Project management experience

Computer Literacy:

• Adept in the use of the latest MS Office package, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• Exposure to various software solutions 

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Professional
• Responsible, accountable and takes extreme ownership
• Confident
• Strong accuracy and attention to detail
• Self-starter
• Persuasive and influential
• Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills
• Good networking skills
• Good presentation skills
• Manages expectations
• Self-aware with high emotional intelligence
• Resilient

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates

Please send your applications to recruitment@pps.co.za

Position: Graduate Advisor (3A)                                                                                                   

Closing Date: 15 April 2021

Division: Graduate Division

Reporting Line:  Graduate Sales Manager

Location: Stellenbosch

Purpose of the Job: 

This is a three-year internship position and is designed to be used as a springboard to launch a young graduate professional’s career in the financial industry. The successful candidate must have the desire and long-term vision to build a professional practice for professionals by marketing risk and investment products from a well-established platform. Because this period is recognised as the building period, the intern will have to be target-orientated and motivated by incentive remuneration, as the package is incentivised and linked to sales targets.

The Graduate Advisor will be responsible for prospecting and building a client base within the young professional student base.

Main duties and responsibilities: 

• Have a very focused approach towards becoming a professional Financial Planner
• Building a client base by selling the PPS student product range to PPS student members
• Hosting financial workshops for students and young professionals
• Educate existing clients on sound financial principles
• Must be willing to be mentored and trained by experienced managers in this newly developed model
• Guiding students and young professionals on making the correct financial choices from the start
• Liaising with a PPS Marketing Specialist on all marketing activities and workshops on campus
• Making appointments with existing PPS student members to discuss the PPS student product range and benefits 
• Adhering to the regulation and compliance process of the financial industry
• Staying up to date and excel in terms of qualifications and knowledge of the financial industry

Formal Qualifications: 

• Matric (Grade 12)
• A relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification
• CFP would be advantageous

Experience and Knowledge:

• Insurance industry related knowledge and experience would be advantageous
• Knowledge of the PPS product range and PPS membership would be an advantage

Computer Literacy:

• Computer Literate (MS Office Package) 

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Able to relate to customers within a diverse market
• Customer Focused 
• Good verbal and written communication skills       
• Good presentation skills
• Results Driven
• Quality Orientated                       
• Reliable                                         
• Resilient

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates

Please send your applications to recruitment@pps.co.za

Position: LBS Direct Life Specialist (3D)                                                                                      

Closing Date: 15 April 2021

Department: Life Broker Direct

Reporting Line: LBS Regional Sales Manager

Location: Johannesburg, Parktown

Purpose of the Job:

PPS Life Broker Services has an opportunity for a service-driven professional with a strong need for financial independence to build our base of intermediaries. The role involves business development and relationship management within a base of Life Assurance intermediaries with the intention to grow this base.  

The LBS Direct Life Specialist must work with and through others to build and maintain relationships. Working closely and accurately within established guidelines is essential in this role. The LBS Direct Life Specialist must be aware of and responsive to the needs and concerns of customers.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Supporting and servicing intermediaries in their sales efforts by preparing quotes, statement of benefits and other relevant supporting information
• Constant communication and feedback to advisers relating to all aspects of intermediary operations
• Planning, organising and controlling liaisons with intermediaries and their managers
• Ensuring continuous improvement of service standards to clients
• Ensuring alignment to Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) in all business practices

Formal Qualifications:

• Matric (Grade 12)
• A three year or higher Bachelor’s degree or National Diploma
• A completed NQF 5 – Wealth Management or RFP 3 would be advantageous

Experience and Knowledge:

• At least 2 years’ experience in the Financial Services or Life Assurance industry in a Sales and/or Service-related role
• Intermediate knowledge of the Life Assurance or Financial Services Industry
• Knowledge (and skill) in how to successfully influence and persuade others by understanding how their individual needs and motivations link to goals is essential

Computer Literacy:

• MS Office package, particularly Internet, Outlook and Excel

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Relating to customers                   
• Strong verbal and written communication skills                             
• Quality-orientated                       
• Reliable                                         
• Customer focused
• Resilient
• Results-driven

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates

Please send your applications to recruitment@pps.co.za

Position: Test Analyst X2 (3A)                                                                                                      

Closing Date: 15 April 2021

Division:  IT Dev Ops Testing

Reporting Line: Senior Manager: IT Testing

Location: Johannesburg, Parktown

Purpose of the Job: 

Supporting the team with specific projects, carrying out all elements of software testing as part of the full software development life cycle (SDLC). This involves test planning, test analysis and design, test execution and test reporting.

Main duties and responsibilities: 

Test Strategy and Process:

• Testing matrices
• Reviewing of supporting documentation for accuracy
• Identification of system functions for testing
• Identification and extraction of test requirements
• Risk analysis and identification
• Specification of test data requirements
• Test case design and maintenance
• Integration test case design
• Confirmation of test environment readiness
• Sequencing and scheduling of test cases
• Execution of test cases
• Updating of test cases
• Logging of defects
• Defect management
• Mentoring of less experienced testers
• Knowledge transfer to the client and team
• Liaison with development and Business Analysts and other stakeholders

Formal Qualifications: 

• Matric (Grade 12) - essential
• ISTQB Foundation Certificate - essential
• 3 Year IT degree or diploma - advantageous

Experience:

• Minimum 2 - 3 years’ experience in a financial industry     
• Minimum 2 - 3 years’ experience in broad testing methodologies       
• Minimum 2 - 3 years’ experience in testing specification creation experience

Knowledge and Skills:

• Working knowledge of a test management tool, e.g. Selenium and Gitlab
• Business analysis principles
• Testing methodology principles    
• Testing effort estimation and risk identification skills

Computer Literacy:

• Latest MS Office package, particularly Excel, Word and Power-point
• SQL

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Financial and business acumen                  
• Analysing data and extrapolating insights
• Problem solving    
• Analytical
• Strong communication skills, both verbally and in writing
• Strong presentation skills
• Organisational ability                    
• Applying expertise and technology
• Working with people
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking
• Achieving personal work goals and objectives
• Adapting and responding to change
• Adhering to principles and values
• Responsible and accountable

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates

Please send your applications to recruitment@pps.co.za

Position: Manager: Actuarial and Risk (PPS Short-Term Insurance) (4C)                              

Closing Date: 15 April 2021

Division:  Short-Term Insurance

Reporting Line: Executive: Actuarial and Risk

Location: Johannesburg, Parktown

Purpose of the Job: 

Reporting to the Executive: Actuarial and Risk, PPS Short-Term Insurance, this role will manage and oversee a wide range of actuarial and risk-related activities within the PPS Short-Term Insurance business.

Main duties and responsibilities: 

• Managing and overseeing first-line corporate actuarial deliverables (including regulatory reporting, reserving, regulatory and economic capital calculations)
• Managing and overseeing pricing and product development activities (including reinsurance)
• Managing and overseeing the embedding of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (including the Combined Assurance Framework)
• Managing and developing a small team of individuals
• Production of management information, including reporting on Risk Appetite profiles
• Development of strategies and solutions for business challenges
• Development and maintenance of strong processes and working relationships with various stakeholders in the company and the wider Group
• Ad-hoc analyses: Actuarial investigations as required

Formal Qualifications: 

• Matric (Grade 12)
• Degree in Actuarial Science.
• Nearly or newly qualified Fellow Actuary

Experience and Knowledge:

• 4+ years relevant experience
• Experience in the Short-Term Insurance Industry
• Enterprise Risk Management experience will be beneficial
• Experience with modelling software will be beneficial
• Strong technical and problem-solving skills
• MS Office skills

Computer Literacy:

• Latest MS Office package, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint
• SQL skills will be beneficial

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills:

• Leadership skills
• Strong communication skills (including report writing) and the ability to engage with various stakeholders throughout the business
• Able to prioritise and work under pressure
• Able to meet strict deadlines
• Accuracy and attention to detail are key attributes required for the job
• A strong sense of accountability
• Able to manage processes and track against key deliverables
• Able to work under pressure
• Attention to detail

Preference will be given to Employment Equity candidates

Please send your applications to recruitment@pps.co.za