Senior Administration Specialist

Old Mutual, a prominent financial services organisation deeply invested in the African continent, is seeking a seasoned Senior Administration Specialist for its Mass Foundation division in Polokwane. This role is integral to RMM (Retail Mass Market), a significant customer-facing segment within Old Mutual. The division's core vision is to be the most trusted financial partner for its customers, assisting them in realising their lifetime aspirations. Their mission involves bridging the gap between customers' available resources and their financial service requirements, ultimately facilitating access to crucial financial solutions and adapting to evolving customer needs. The target demographic for these services is the low and emerging-middle income segment of the South African population.

About the Role

This is a senior operational specialist position that requires a high level of expertise in managing complex administrative processes. The successful candidate will be responsible for critical functions including premium collections, nurturing stakeholder relationships, delivering impactful presentations, and driving process improvements. As a subject matter expert, you will tackle technical and intricate problems, often serving as the primary point of escalation for issues that surpass the capabilities of standard Administration Specialists. Your individual accountability will be key to achieving results through your own dedicated efforts.

You will frequently act as a consultant on decisions of operational and tactical importance, contributing to the development and execution of business plans. There's also potential to serve as an expert resource on major projects or even take accountability for project delivery within the division or business unit. Mentoring specialist staff and contributing to system enhancement discussions are also anticipated aspects of this role. You may be tasked with overseeing significant administrative processes and their associated project management, often over extended timelines.

The core responsibilities of this Senior Administration Specialist role are multifaceted and demanding, requiring a proactive and detail-oriented approach:

• **Employer Engagement:** Proactively build, retain, and maintain strong relationships with employers. This involves engaging with and supporting all distribution channels, particularly regarding escalated issues, providing essential business updates at pay offices, and expertly responding to deduction enquiries.
• **Premium Collection Management:** Oversee and manage the entire premium collection lifecycle, including accurate billing, collection, allocation, and reconciliation processes for both RMM and PF (presumably another division or product).
• **Specialised Deductions:** Facilitate the processing of deductions for unique events, such as YPU (Your Pension Universal or similar).
• **Reporting and Analysis:** Prepare and present management reports, ensuring key performance indicators are tracked and understood.
• **Business Improvement Initiatives:** Drive the implementation of new business processes aimed at improving First Access to Cover (FAC) and reducing Not Taken Up (NTU) policies.
• **Process Efficiency:** Champion and drive efficiencies within existing administrative processes and at pay offices.
• **Exception Management:** Effectively manage and resolve exceptions that arise within the administrative workflows.
• **Client Request Fulfilment:** Initiate processes and adeptly handle client requests across various platforms while strictly adhering to established productivity standards.
• **Personal Development:** Continuously enhance your knowledge and competencies through self-study and by actively participating in available learning opportunities within Old Mutual.
• **Compliance and Risk:** Consistently adhere to all relevant business guidelines, procedures, and processes, demonstrating a clear understanding of the risks associated with your decision-making.
• **Performance Accountability:** Take full accountability for your own performance, as well as your personal and career development.
• **Team Contribution:** Contribute positively to the overall effectiveness and success of the wider team.
• **Adaptability:** Maintain the flexibility to adapt to ever-changing business needs and customer expectations.
• **Sales Engagement and Support:** Drive business growth through strategic employer partnerships and effective payroll engagement. This includes building and maintaining robust employer relationships, influencing payroll stakeholders, ensuring seamless stop order collections, and promoting compliance with payroll deduction agreements. By integrating relationship management, stakeholder engagement, brand advocacy, and sales support, you will strengthen Old Mutual's market presence, improve collection outcomes, and deliver an exceptional employer experience at both strategic and operational levels.

What They're Looking For

To be successful in this role, candidates will need to meet specific educational and experiential requirements, alongside a strong set of skills and competencies:

• **Education:** A Matriculation Certificate (Grade 12) is compulsory.
• **Experience:** A minimum of three years' experience within the financial services industry is required. Prior experience with premium collections would be considered a significant advantage.
• **Logistics:** Candidates must possess their own vehicle and a valid driver's license, as travel throughout the Limpopo province will be a necessary part of the role.
• **Systems Knowledge:** Familiarity with Hyphen and Vantage systems would be advantageous.
• **Communication Skills:** Strong verbal communication and presentation skills are essential for interacting with various stakeholders.
• **Technical Proficiency:** A good command of the Microsoft Office suite is expected.

**Key Strengths and Competencies:**

The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellence in:

• Relationship Building
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Sales Influence
• Payroll Deduction Management
• Negotiation
• Brand Building
• Operational Excellence
• Administration Management
• Billing Administration and Reconciliation
• Collections Management
• Distribution Channel Support
• Employee Engagement
• Report Writing
• Decision Quality
• Directing Work
• Ensuring Accountability
• Managing Complexity
• Optimising Work Processes
• Planning and Aligning
• Being Tech Savvy

In South Africa, a senior administration role like this within a large financial institution, especially one involving extensive travel and stakeholder management, typically commands a competitive salary. While specific figures vary greatly based on experience, the exact scope of duties, and the employer's remuneration structure, it would generally fall within a mid-to-senior professional salary band. Employers like Old Mutual often provide opportunities for career progression within their extensive operations, potentially leading to management or more specialised project roles.

Requirements:

• Matric (Compulsory).

• Minimum of 3 years experience in the financial services industry.

• Premium collections experience will be advantageous.

• Own car and drivers license required.

• Travelling will be required throughout Limpopo.

• Hyphen, vantage system knowledge advantageous.

• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills.

• MS Office suite.

Key strengths:

• Relationship Building

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Sales Influence

• Payroll Deduction Management

• Negotiation

• Brand Building

• Operational Excellence

 

Skills

Administration Management, Billing Administration, Billing Reconciliation, Collections Management, Distribution Channels, Employee Engagement, Report Writing

Competencies

Decision Quality

Directs Work

Ensures Accountability

Manages Complexity

Optimizes Work Processes

Plans and Aligns

Tech Savvy

Education

Matriculation Certificate (Matric) (Required)

Closing Date

02 September 2026 , 23:59

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.

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