Operations Manager

About Discovery

Discovery’s core purpose is to make people healthier and to enhance and protect their lives. We seek out and invest in exceptional individuals who understand and support our core purpose, and whose own values align with those of Discovery. Our fast-paced and dynamic environment enables smart, self-driven people to be their best. As global thought leaders, Discovery is passionate about innovating in order to not only achieve financial success, but to ignite positive and meaningful change within our society.

About Cogence

Cogence is the first global discretionary fund manager in South Africa. It marries the expertise of Discovery, whose behaviour-change platform is the largest of its kind, and BlackRock, one of the world's leading asset managers. Cogence then combines this with the local investment management expertise of RisCura, who intimately understands the local market within a global context.

 Using Aladdin Wealth™, BlackRock's industry-leading investment and risk technology platform, and Vitality insights and data, Cogence is the world's first discretionary fund manager that fully models retirement solutions, taking health experience into account.

Through an unmatched digital experience, Cogence helps financial advisers cut through investment complexity with efficiency, clarity and confidence. This results in smart, seamless solutions that help advisers grow their businesses.

Key Purpose

To support the Head of Operations in managing the full spectrum of operational and compliance responsibilities of the Financial Services Provider (FSP). This includes overseeing end-to-end investment operations, ensuring accurate data management, and aligning risk mitigation practices with regulatory and internal standards. The role plays a critical part in maintaining operational integrity, enabling scalable processes, and supporting strategic initiatives across the firm.

Responsibilities of this role:  Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Trade Lifecycle Management: Daily cash management, reconciliations, settlements, and LISP rebalances.
• Reporting & Compliance: Fund fact sheets, monthly reporting, regulatory alignment.
• Risk & Controls: Support implementation and monitoring of internal controls and risk frameworks, maintaining proper documentation and audit trails,
• Data Integrity: Oversee accuracy and completeness of investment data across systems..
• Stakeholder Engagement: respond to operational queries from LISPs, MANCOs, and other internal/external stakeholders.
• Onboarding & Product Support: Assist with onboarding of new products and mandates.
• Process Improvement: Contribute to automation initiatives and workflow enhancements.
• System Participation: Likely in testing, upgrades, or implementation.

Education and Experience

• CAT II regulatory knowledge and experience 
• Individual will need to be disciplined, self-motivated and deadline focused. Non-travelling role. 
• Extensive technical and/or business experience with a proven track record of innovation, delivery and performance. 
• A formal Finance/Commerce degree at least at an Honours level (or equivalent qualification provided that the candidate is technically sound in all aspects of Retail Asset Management sales & marketing). 
• A minimum of 5 years of Investment experience in the Asset Management industry. 
• Strong understanding of trade lifecycle, P&L attribution, and settlement processes
• Familiarity with systems like Morningstar, Bloomberg or similar,
• Proficiency in Excel, Data Modelling, and Power BI for reporting and analytics as well as GIPS and ASISA understanding,

Required skills and competencies

• Strong Leadership skills 

• Planning and organizing skills 

• Client focus 

• Resilience 

• Good relationship building skills 

• Interpersonal skills 

• Problem solving  

• Decision making  

• Excellent verbal and written communication  

• Strong numeric ability 
• Organizational awareness  

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY   
                             
The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.