Administrator, Investment Operations

This role at Liberty, based in Johannesburg, is all about ensuring the smooth operation of investment activities and providing excellent administrative support to the team. It's a position that requires a keen eye for detail and a commitment to efficient processing of investment instructions. You'll be a crucial link in the chain, responding proactively to client and business administrative queries, and tackling various tasks to support the overall investment function.

About the Investment Operations Administrator role

As an Investment Operations Administrator, you will play a vital role in the day-to-day functioning of the investment team. Your primary focus will be on the timely and accurate processing of all investment-related instructions. This involves a range of administrative duties designed to support client services and the broader business objectives. You'll need to be adept at managing multiple tasks, maintaining high standards of accuracy, and communicating effectively with both internal stakeholders and potentially external clients. The role demands a proactive approach, anticipating needs and resolving issues before they escalate.

What you'll be doing

Your responsibilities will encompass a broad spectrum of administrative and operational tasks within the investment sphere. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Ensuring the prompt and accurate processing of client investment orders and instructions.
• Managing payment processes related to investments.
• Assisting with risk reporting and contributing to its accuracy.
• Handling foreign exchange (FX) transactions as required.
• Processing corporate actions that affect investment portfolios.
• Capturing trades and overseeing their settlement.
• Monitoring investment transactions and client activities.
• Maintaining client accounts, including opening and managing them according to procedure.
• Providing excellent customer experience through efficient account maintenance and query resolution.
• Understanding and applying banking processes and procedures relevant to investment operations.
• Contributing to the overall customer experience by embodying a customer-centric mindset.
• Supporting the deal or trade life cycle from initiation to completion.

What they're looking for

To excel in this role, you'll need a solid foundation in investment administration. A BCom degree or a similar relevant qualification is desirable. In terms of experience, you should have one to two years under your belt in an investment administration capacity. This experience should ideally cover areas such as receiving client orders, managing payments, understanding risk reporting, dealing with FX transactions, processing corporate actions, and executing trade capture and settlements.

Furthermore, experience in transaction monitoring or client monitoring is essential, along with a good understanding of investment systems. Beyond technical skills, the company is looking for individuals who demonstrate strong behavioural competencies. These include a commitment to following procedures and upholding standards, effective teamwork and communication skills, the ability to embrace change and remain composed under pressure, meticulous attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. You'll also need to be proficient in time management and consistently meet deadlines, all while maintaining a positive attitude and demonstrating resilience. A genuine focus on customer experience, both from an attitude and practical application perspective, is also highly valued.

In South Africa, roles like Investment Operations Administrator typically fall within the financial services sector. Depending on the specific employer (which can range from large banking institutions and asset managers to smaller investment firms) and the level of responsibility, salaries can vary but often range from R250,000 to R400,000 per annum for individuals with 1-2 years of experience. Growth within this field often leads to more specialised roles in trade support, compliance, or client relationship management.

Type of Qualification: BCom or Similar
Field of Study: Investment Administration

Experience Required
Asset & Portfolio Management
Investment & Asset Management
1-2 years experience in investment administration including receipt of client orders, payments, risk reporting, FX’s, corporate actions, trade capture and settlements. Experience in transaction or client monitoring with knowledge of investment systems.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Following procedures and upholding standards
• Teamwork and communication
• Embracing change and showing composure
• Attention to detail and proactive problem-solving
• Time management and meeting deadlines.
• Positive attitude and showing resilience

Technical Competencies:

• Account Opening & Maintenance
• Attitude of Customer Experience
• Banking Process & Procedures
• Client Servicing
• Deal or Trade Life Cycles
• Heart of Customer Experience
• Mind of Customer Experience