Business Development Manager

About us

Schroders is a global investment manager which provides active asset management, wealth management and investment solutions. We aim to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We serve a diverse client base that includes pension schemes, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, high net worth individuals, family offices, as well as end clients through partnerships with distributors, financial advisers, and online platforms.

Established in 1804, we have around 5,500 people across 36 global locations. Schroders' success can be attributed to its diversified business model, spanning different asset classes, client types and geographies.

The Team

Schroders has maintained a permanent presence in South Africa since 2015 and focuses exclusively on providing offshore investment solutions to local intermediaries and institutional investors. Schroders currently offers 14 FSCA-approved offshore funds to South African investors, available across a range of offshore investment platforms.

Overview of the Role

Schroders is seeking an exceptional, highly driven sales professional to lead and accelerate the growth of our intermediary business across South Africa.

This is a senior, front-office business development role focused on delivering significant net new asset growth, driving revenue generating business and deepening strategic relationships within the independent and wealth management landscape of South Africa. 
The successful candidate will have a demonstrable track record of consistently exceeding sales targets, winning new business mandates and building trusted relationships with senior executives, business owners, key decision-makers and influential investment professionals.

Operating in a fast-paced, high-performance environment, the role requires relentless execution, exceptional attention to detail, strong commercial instincts and a proactive hunting mentality. The individual will be expected to maintain a high volume of client activity, generate new opportunities and drive measurable business outcomes whilst representing the Schroders brand at the highest levels of the South African investment industry.

What You'll Do

Business Development & Sales Leadership

• Drive the acquisition of new assets under management through proactive business development and relationship expansion activities.
• Own and deliver against ambitious sales, asset growth, activity and revenue targets.
• Build, maintain and develop senior relationships with top-tier wealth management firms, IFAs & IFA networks.
• Create and execute strategic account plans for high-value clients and prospects, identifying opportunities across Schroders' full investment capability set.
• Develop a strong pipeline of new business opportunities and maintain robust sales discipline through every stage of the sales cycle.
• Lead complex sales opportunities from origination through to mandate conversion and implementation.
• Identify, pursue and convert new client prospects through targeted business development initiatives.

Client Relationship Management

• Establish Schroders as a trusted strategic partner to key intermediary firms.
• Build long-term relationships with senior decision-makers, investment committees and key influencers across the industry.
• Maintain an exceptionally high level of client engagement through regular face-to-face meetings, presentations, events and follow-up activity.
• Deliver a first-class client experience by anticipating client needs and providing commercially relevant investment solutions.
• Act as a senior ambassador for the Schroders brand across the South African market.

Market Leadership & Execution

• Maintain expert knowledge of offshore markets, asset allocation, investment solutions and industry developments.
• Present market insights, investment views and Schroders solutions confidently to sophisticated professional investor audiences.
• Monitor competitor activity, industry trends and regulatory developments to identify commercial opportunities and threats.
• Represent Schroders at conferences, roadshows, industry events and client functions across South Africa.
• Collaborate closely with investment, product, marketing, operations and compliance teams to deliver successful client outcomes.
• Maintain accurate and timely CRM records, pipeline reporting and business development activity tracking.
• Take ownership of onboarding processes, ensuring all regulatory, operational, AML and KYC requirements are completed to the highest standard.

Personal Effectiveness

• Operate with urgency, professionalism and exceptional attention to detail.
• Manage a demanding travel schedule across South Africa and internationally when required.
• Deliver consistently high levels of activity, responsiveness and execution.
• Maintain full compliance with FAIS, FSCA and all applicable regulatory requirements.

The Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications You Need

• A proven and demonstrable track record of success in asset management distribution, wealth management sales or financial services business development.
• Significant experience developing and maintaining relationships with large, sophisticated and strategically important intermediary firms.
• Consistent evidence of exceeding ambitious sales, asset growth and business development targets.
• Strong understanding of offshore investment markets, investing across different asset classes, collective investment schemes and discretionary investment solutions.
• Deep knowledge of the South African intermediary market and distribution landscape.
• Ability to engage credibly with CEOs, CIOs, Investment Committees, business owners and senior investment professionals.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to identify, develop and close complex sales opportunities.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously within a fast-paced and target-driven environment.
• Strong understanding of the commercial, regulatory and competitive dynamics impacting the asset management industry.
• Experience leading complex sales processes and managing high-value strategic relationships.
• Status as a Representative.
• Relevant investment, financial planning or commercial qualifications would be advantageous.

What You'll Be Like

• Highly ambitious, competitive and results-driven.
• A natural hunter with a relentless focus on winning new business.
• Commercially minded with an entrepreneurial approach to growth.
• Resilient, self-motivated and energised by challenging sales targets.
• Exceptionally organised with meticulous attention to detail.
• Able to operate autonomously and maintain high levels of productivity with limited supervision.
• Comfortable working within a high-performance culture where accountability, execution and results matter.
• Strong relationship builder with high levels of personal credibility and professionalism.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment with demanding expectations and multiple priorities.
• Passionate about markets, investments and delivering exceptional outcomes for clients.

Key Success Measures

• Net new asset growth delivered.
• New client acquisition and mandate wins.
• Growth within strategic intermediary relationships.
• Sales pipeline quality and conversion rates.
• Client engagement and activity levels.
• Cross-selling and solution penetration within existing clients.
• CRM discipline, forecasting accuracy and execution standards.
• Contribution to Schroders' market presence and brand recognition.

We Recognise Potential, Whoever You Are

Our purpose is to deliver excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We believe diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture help us make better decisions and achieve better outcomes for our clients. That's why inclusion is a strategic priority for us, and we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.