Head of Investments

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

Role overview

Our fast-growing Private Clients Business is looking for a new leader of its investment capability.  The role evolves on the scope of the Chief Investment Officer by including a strong strategic Focus and leadership of multiple investment functions with their own decision makers.

This role will shape perspectives on high-net-worth investment management in the whole group and the strategies needed to achieve quality client outcomes.  The Head of Investments will build and maintain a compelling investment narrative, strengthen client relationships and instil confidence among advisors and portfolio managers through thought leadership and performance.

A key aspect of the role is working closely with not only the leaders of the Asset capabilities but also our national team of Private Portfolio Managers – guiding them in integrating our focused investment philosophy into their portfolio construction approach, ensuring consistency in how we deliver client solutions.

Our philosophy prioritises investing in high-quality businesses and advice-led multi-asset solutions.  The role covers the full spectrum of bespoke wealth and portfolio management solutions, including but not limited to Equity, Multi-asset, Fixed interest, Alternatives and Crypto.

The Head of Investments will leverage teams within Private Clients, the broader Old Mutual group and external partners to achieve these outcomes effectively.  Additionally, they will act as the firm’s primary investment spokesperson, engaging with clients, advisors and media.

Reporting to the Chief Executive and serving on the Private Clients executive committee, the individual will also be a member of various investment committees.

A strong strategic mindset, deep investment expertise, combined with wealth management experience, is essential.

The role includes the following responsibilities:

Investment Strategy & Portfolio Oversight

• Define and implement a forward-looking investment strategy that aligns with the needs of high-income and high-net-worth clients.
• Oversee the construction, management, and performance of sophisticated model portfolios tailored to varying risk appetites through an empowered team of investment professionals.
• Implement a risk management framework applicable to a private clients’ business model
• Procure exclusive investment solutions, including private equity, hedge funds and structured products, to cater to sophisticated investors
• Cultivate partnerships to expand our breadth of investment offerings

Risk Management & Governance

• Establish a robust risk management framework that safeguards client wealth while optimising risk-adjusted returns
• Ensure full compliance with South African regulatory requirements and global best practices
• Monitor and actively manage Portfolio Manager practice-level investment risks, ensuring alignment with the company’s risk appetite

Client & Advisor Engagement

• Act as the primary investment spokesperson for the firm, engaging directly with high-net-worth clients and their advisors
• Deliver clear, compelling investment insights, ensuring clients understand portfolio strategies and long-term objectives
• Foster deep relationships with wealth advisors, equipping them with market-leading investment solutions and insights
• Enhance the firm’s reputation by providing thought leadership through industry events, media engagements and published market commentary

Product & Capability Development

• Drive innovation in investment solutions to cater to the unique needs of affluent and high-net-worth clients
• Oversee the continuous enhancement of investment capabilities, ensuring the firm remains at the forefront of wealth management trends
• Align investment offerings with evolving regulatory changes, technological advancements and market innovations

Leadership & Team Development

• Build and lead a high-performing investment team that embodies a culture of excellence and accountability
• Mentor and develop investment professionals, ensuring continuous growth in expertise and strategic thinking
• Set clear performance expectations and KPIs to drive an outcome-focused investment function
• Promote an environment of continuous learning, keeping the team ahead of market and industry developments

These responsibilities offer an overview of the role and are not confined or restricted solely to what is listed.

Qualifications and Experience required

• A minimum of 15+ years of experience in investment management, asset allocation or related fields
• Demonstrated success in managing complex, high-net-worth client portfolios
• Deep knowledge of risk management principles and regulatory requirements in South Africa
• CA, CFA, Engineering, Actuarial or equivalent qualification preferred
• Experience working with financial advisors, wealth managers and distribution networks
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to translate complex investment strategies into clear, actionable insights
• Proven expertise in alternative investments and private client portfolio management.

Directs the implementation and execution of the investment strategy to optimise investment advisory services and maximise the support provided to the investment team to enable successful outcomes. Regularly reviews investment portfolios and adapts strategies to address evolving needs.

ResponsibilitiesStrategy Formation and Implementation

Develop the strategy for a significant area of responsibility, such as a function, anticipating complex issues, challenges, and opportunities. Ensure the strategy is successfully implemented and meets medium-term business needs.

Business Planning

Develop and gain agreement to annual business plans for a function or substantial business area, ensuring alignment with strategy; quantify business outcomes, i.e., revenues or other key performance indicators (KPIs); detail expense and headcount budgets; and develop business cases for key projects, ensuring cross-functional integration.

Investment Management

Take responsibility for developing and delivering an important part of the organization's investment policy. Also responsible for maximizing the value of investments by managing an investment department or unit.

Leadership and Direction

Communicate the function's strategy and its relationship to the organization's mission, vision, and values; clarify the actions needed to implement this strategy within the area of responsibility; motivate people to commit to the mission, vision, and values and do extraordinary things to achieve the organization's business goals.

Financial Products Development

Take responsibility for developing and delivering a major part of the organization's financial product development program to enable overall corporate strategy.

Organizational Risk Management

Take responsibility for developing and delivering the organization's risk management and/or risk control policies and procedures.

Customer Relationship Management / Account Management

Develop and implement a relationship management plan for strategic, complex, global existing accounts to build key relationships at local, national, and corporate levels. Coordinate the engagement of own organization with the customer organization to ensure effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues. Manage strategic client and customer relationships, typically by deploying large account teams to ensure ongoing customer satisfaction and loyalty toward the organization.

Customer Relationship Development / Prospecting

Develop and implement a relationship management plan for strategic, complex, global potential accounts to build key relationships at local, national, and corporate levels. Coordinate the engagement of own organization with the customer organization to ensure effective two-way flow of information and resolution of issues.

Policies and Procedures Development

Lead the development of policies, procedures, and related guidelines for a significant area of responsibility, ensuring compliance with external requirements and integration with the broader corporate policy framework.

Stakeholder Engagement

Identify and manage stakeholders up to and including top management level, finding out their needs, issues, and concerns and reacting to them by leading and coordinating the development of stakeholder engagement plans to support the communication of business information and decisions.

Performance Management

Manage and report on the performance of the function/business area; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports and hold individuals accountable for achieving them; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of annual business objectives.

Organizational Capability Building

Identify the capabilities needed to meet the current and emerging business needs of a significant business area. Evaluate current capabilities, identify gaps, and prioritize development activities. Motivate others to develop their capabilities and fulfill their personal potential. Build capabilities elsewhere in the organization through mentoring and other informal methods.

Organization Structure

Define the detailed organization structure for a business area to align with corporate principles, define the relationship between elements of the organization, and define the responsibilities of senior managers, to enable the organization to achieve its business objectives.

Corporate Representation

Represent the organization or institution in a variety of industry, institutional, and/or professional forums, boards, and committees, in order to promote the company or institution brand or efforts. Represent the organization in external relations with investors, clients, industry, partners, the public, and others. Focus is on a specific area of the organization, such as a function or department. May involve preparation of presentations and materials for professional partnering meetings, seminars, and conferences.

Skills

Action Planning, Adaptive Thinking, Business Requirements Analysis, Change Management, Client Management, Current State Assessment, Customer Service, Customer Value Management, Executing Plans, Legal Practices, Oral Communications, Policies & Procedures, Presenting Solutions, Prioritization

Competencies

Balances StakeholdersBuilds Effective TeamsCommunicates EffectivelyDrives Vision and PurposeFinancial AcumenInstills TrustManages ComplexityOptimizes Work Processes

Education

NQF Level 9 – Masters

Closing Date

21 March 2025 , 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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