Area Manager

At Masthead (Pty) Ltd, our passion is keeping businesses in business. As a national supplier of practice management and business development services, and compliance monitoring of FAIS, FICA, POPI, and NCR, Masthead assists Independent Financial Advisors, corporate FSPs and other business sectors throughout South Africa so they can stay in business, improve productivity and prosper. We know this can only be achieved through the calibre of people we employ – people who are client focused, set themselves high standards of delivery and have a willingness to go the extra mile.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Area Manager is accountable for the performance, delivery and sustainable growth of a defined area of the Compliance business, enabling the Regional Manager to focus on broader strategic priorities. The role encompasses operational effectiveness, financial performance, client relationships, technical quality, people development and business growth, ensuring that the area operates efficiently, remains commercially sustainable and contributes to the Company’s overall objectives.

The role is performed in conjunction with either the responsibilities of a Compliance Officer for a selected portfolio of clients or those of a Practice Management Consultant responsible for delivering practice management services.

The incumbent is therefore required to be a commercially astute, operationally strong and people-focused leader who can translate business objectives into measurable results. They will demonstrate the ability to manage performance through others, maintain high compliance standards, strengthen client relationships and build a sustainable, profitable area of the business while allowing senior leadership to focus on broader strategic priorities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS – QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Qualifications and Professional Requirements

• Relevant degree or professional qualification in Law, Compliance, Risk Management, Finance, Business Management or a related discipline.
• RE1 regulatory examination.
• RE3 and/or RE4 regulatory examinations, as applicable to the role and regulatory responsibilities.
• A management or leadership qualification would be advantageous.
• Relevant compliance, risk management or financial services certifications would be advantageous.

Experience and Technical Knowledge

• At least 5 years’ relevant experience in the financial services, compliance, risk management or Financial Services Provider (FSP) environment.
• At least 3–5 years’ experience managing teams or consultants (junior or senior).
• Sound working knowledge of compliance legislation and regulatory requirements governing the financial services industry, including FAIS and FICA.
• Proven experience managing financial, operational and service delivery performance across multiple client engagements.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, proposal development, revenue growth, pricing, resource planning and profitability management.
• Experience in operational improvement, governance, KPI monitoring and management reporting.
• Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite.
• Working knowledge of CRM systems and RiskMaster would be advantageous.

Please note only applicants who meet these requirements will be considered for this position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performance and Delivery Management

• Deliver agreed revenue, utilisation, productivity and profitability targets.
• Ensure client engagements are appropriately planned, resourced and delivered within agreed timelines and scope.
• Monitor workload, capacity, workflow and delivery risks across the area.
• Address operational bottlenecks, overdue deliverables and underperformance promptly.
• Allocate work according to capability, experience, risk and available capacity.
• Monitor delivery performance and accountability across the area.

2. Quality and Compliance Oversight

• Maintain high technical, quality and professional standards across the area.
• Ensure client work complies with approved methodologies, regulatory requirements and professional standards.
• Identify recurring quality issues and implement appropriate corrective action.
• Ensure complex and high-risk matters receive appropriate review and escalation.
• Work with Senior and Specialist Compliance Officers to promote technical consistency and sound professional judgement.
• Ensure client deliverables are accurate, defensible, fit for purpose and commercially appropriate.

3. People Leadership and Development

• Establish clear performance expectations, objectives and accountability measures.
• Monitor individual and team performance and address underperformance effectively.
• Coach and develop Senior Consultants to strengthen leadership, ownership and decision-making.
• Identify high-performing employees and support their career progression.
• Identify capability gaps and implement appropriate development plans.
• Contribute to succession planning, talent retention and workforce capability.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, quality and continuous improvement.

4. Client Relationship Management

• Maintain oversight of client satisfaction, service delivery and retention across the area.
• Support Snr Consultants with significant, complex or sensitive client matters.
• Participate in senior-level client engagements where appropriate.
• Ensure client concerns and service issues are resolved promptly and professionally.
• Monitor delivery against contractual obligations and client expectations.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen existing relationships, improve client value and expand service offerings.

5. Business Development and Growth

• Deliver agreed business development, sales and revenue growth targets.
• Identify and develop opportunities within existing client relationships and target markets.
• Lead or support significant proposals, presentations, tenders and client pitches.
• Identify opportunities arising from regulatory developments, emerging risks and changing client needs.
• Maintain oversight of the area's sales pipeline, conversion rates and prospective revenue.
• Convert suitable opportunities into sustainable, profitable client engagements.
• Ensure growth initiatives are aligned with delivery capacity, technical capability and the organisation's risk appetite.

6. Financial and Commercial Management

• Take accountability for the area's financial performance against agreed budgets and targets.
• Monitor revenue, gross margin, profitability and utilisation, implementing corrective action where required.
• Manage write-offs, scope creep, unproductive time and cost inefficiencies.
• Ensure appropriate pricing, engagement scoping and resource allocation.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, cost management and commercial returns.
• Ensure engagements are delivered within approved commercial parameters.
• Balance revenue growth with profitability, quality and sustainable resource utilisation.

7. Operational Management and Continuous Improvement

• Establish and maintain effective processes for workflow, capacity and delivery management.
• Monitor operational KPIs and management information to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Promote effective use of systems, tools, processes and resources.
• Identify and implement operational improvements that enhance efficiency, consistency and service delivery.
• Maintain appropriate administrative standards, reporting processes and operational governance.
• Resolve routine operational challenges independently, escalating material issues appropriately.

8. Technical and Regulatory Leadership

• Maintain a sound working knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements affecting the Compliance business.
• Ensure appropriate technical expertise and oversight are available for complex or high-risk matters.
• Facilitate escalation to Senior or Specialist Compliance Officers where specialist input is required.
• Support consistent application of compliance methodologies and regulatory interpretations.
• Ensure relevant regulatory developments are incorporated into operational planning and client service delivery.
• Identify and escalate material regulatory, technical and conduct risks in accordance with established governance processes.

9. Reporting, Governance and Strategic Contribution

• Provide regular performance and management reporting to the Regional Manager and relevant leadership structures.
• Report on revenue, profitability, utilisation, workload, quality, client retention, people performance and business development.
• Provide early warning of material operational, financial, client, people or regulatory risks.
• Ensure agreed management actions are implemented and monitored.
• Maintain appropriate governance records, management information and supporting documentation.
• Contribute to management discussions, strategic planning and organisational improvement initiatives.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Ability to manage revenue, profitability, utilisation, pricing, costs and sustainable business growth.
• Ability to manage workflow, resources, capacity, deadlines and delivery performance, addressing inefficiencies proactively.
• Ability to lead and develop teams and Senior Consultants, manage performance and promote accountability.
• Strong client relationship management, communication and negotiation skills, with a focus on service quality and client retention.
• Ability to identify opportunities, develop proposals, manage sales pipelines and generate sustainable revenue.
• Sound understanding of applicable compliance legislation, regulatory requirements, technical standards and risk escalation.
• Strong analytical, reporting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to improve processes, strengthen controls and manage risks.

Work Location: In person