01 Jul Career opportunities for all.
Whether you prefer finance, administration, financial planning or customer service, the South African retirement fund industry – holding assets of over R5.8 trillion – is an attractive career option.
Apart from the opportunity for people with the experience and qualifications to rise to executive and leadership positions, here are some of the career options one can expect in the retirement fund sector.
Actuaries assess and manage financial risk associated with retirement funds.
Financial planners advise individuals and groups on retirement planning, and investment strategies.
Fund administrators take care of everyday operations, including processing contributions, managing investments, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Legal professionals ensure compliance with legislation, regulations, and industry standards.
Accounting and Finance professionals see to financial reporting, budgeting, and all financial aspects of retirement funds.
Operations Managers oversee the operational aspects of a retirement fund, ensuring efficient and effective processes.
The retirement fund industry is an eco-system where the different functions are reliant on each other to achieve overall success, and include other exciting opportunities such as:
Human Resources which are entrusted with overseeing people management and helping to build a vibrant culture.
Brand, Marketing and Communications, tasked with building trust and differentiating the fund management company in the industry.
Marketing and Business Development which drives into the market, securing new business and managing existing client accounts (e.g. Companies, Fund Managers, etc).
Client Service looks after retirement fund members. Typically, a retirement fund management company can have hundreds of thousands of members, each with queries, and needs such as claiming of benefits. Augmented by state-of-the-art technology, Call Centre operators provide members with an empathetic and responsive voice.
Today, technology drives everything in a successful company and AI is increasingly playing a pivotal role in driving efficiencies, enhancing customer service, and providing accurate real-time data to improve decision-making. IT or Information technology plays a crucial role in the retirement fund industry.
Each of the career categories described requires different skillsets, diverse qualifications and distinct character traits so there is something exciting for everybody in the retirement fund sector!
Salt Employee Benefits is South Africa’s largest independent retirement fund administrator with over 900 000 members.