Sanlam Developing Markets [SDM] (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanlam Life Limited) is one of the top financial services providers in the South African entry-level and emerging middle market. It aims to understand the unique requirements of clients and offers a wide range of simple and affordable financial solutions that cover needs such as funeral insurance, savings for education, life cover and personal accident plans. In terms of the Sanlam Group Governance Policy, SDM is managed by the SA Retail Mass cluster, which is part of the Sanlam Life and Savings cluster within the Sanlam Group. The cluster focusses on retail products, as well as group schemes.
What will you do?
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
- To enable the Distribution division to reach its clients through accessible, and easy to use digital sales platforms.
- To assume ownership for the delivery, maintenance, enhancement and performance of the Distribution digital sales platforms, in line with stakeholder needs, operational requirements and the strategic vision of the Distribution division.
- Strategic alignment
- Develop and maintain an understanding of internal client (for example, Advisors) and external client (consumers) needs, and ensure it is woven into the strategy, intent and delivery of the product.
- Ensure all projects/ initiatives relating to the digital sales platforms support the strategy and business objectives of the Distribution division, and the business as a whole.
- Work with Operations to develop metrics for digital sales platforms (product) performance.
- Responsible for ensuring the integrated delivery of projects and initiatives on time, in scope, in budget and with minimal risks.
- Product delivery and ownership 2.1Product roadmap and backlog management
- Monitor and analyse product (digital sales platforms) performance and identify areas of improvement.
- Work closely with business owners and business analysts to translate detailed business requirements into specifications for platforms, in line with the strategic intent of the division.
- Create a product roadmap and in collaboration with the Development Team write user stories to size, scope and set up project timelines.
- Map and manage stakeholder integration points. Communicate project plans and timelines to development teams and other stakeholders. Ensure a thorough understanding of requirements.
- Prioritise logs pertaining to project deliveries. Raise, mitigate and manage risks relating to backlogs and delays.
- Provide direction to technical / development teams, and continuously keep teams accountable for delivery.
- Responsible for product release management and testing:
- Work with technical development teams and ensure sufficient testing strategies are in place.
- Monitor and quality assure (QA) test results.
- Approve the solution and manage the release on to the platforms.
- Work with the users to ensure User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is properly done and signed off
- Work with Executive to identify, select and onboard external service providers (vendors / third parties).
- Coordinate and manage the delivery of internal stakeholder teams, as well as vendors/third parties to ensure on-time delivery. Facilitate quick decision-making amongst stakeholders.
- Enable business stakeholders as well as clients to utilise the product:
- Manage content creation to educate users.
- Coordinate training of internal business stakeholders (business support staff, advisors, etc.).
- Responsible for ensuring that effective change management is part of the delivery process to facilitate the quick adoption of the product / solution / enhancement.
- Work with internal stakeholders to understand their requirements and product buy-in
2.3.Maintenance and continuous improvement
- Respond to, and where relevant, facilitate the resolution of issues through problem solving and troubleshooting to ensure product up-time. Actively participate in code-red incidents (system failures and platform down-time).
- Participate and provide inputs towards the development and delivery of business cases and proposals.
- Provide support on system-related issues. Implement measures and controls to prevent issues from re-occurring.
- Act as liaison between users, IT and Project Management Office (PMO) in terms of development requirements.
- Identify existing and pre-empt future business needs, and determine timely and effective solutions to business functions and processes.
- Work with stakeholders to identify and organise the steps required for the next iteration of the product and meet with the team to do planning, refinement, review, identify areas for improvement and support the sprint.
- Best practice and knowledge sharing
- Remain up to date with best practice, trends and developments relating to digital sales platforms and project management methodologies.
- Contribute subject matter knowledge and expertise to internal business stakeholders. Collaborate with other Product Owners to share lessons learned.
- Reporting
- Monitor product delivery against project plans and timelines.
- Monitor and analyse product performance.
- Compile and deliver monthly management reports.
- Support the Executive to deliver monthly / annual Executive reporting.
Qualifications
- Tertiary qualification in any relevant major (Business Analysis / IT / Product Management / etc.).
- Any relevant courses or certification in product management would be considered.
- Agile certification advantageous.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
- In-depth knowledge of the Product development life cycle, and an understanding the technical landscape.
- Documentation reviews and writing user stories (project scoping).
- Project management knowledge (preferably Agile / Waterfall).
- 2-3 years experience in a leadership capacity, in a product development landscape.
- Digital platform experience.
- Understanding of /experience with analyses methodologies, process disciplines, BCL & SDLC methodologies (Agile / waterfall).
- Proven experience in delivering successful projects / products
- Experience in optimising processes to ensure the delivery of a product.
- Technical and project management skills
- Business acumen
- Influencing skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Flexible and Adaptable
- Innovative (and cultivates innovation)
- Drive for results
- Organisation and planning skills
- Client focus
Organisational savvy - Contributing through others
Manages complexity - Contributing through others
Plans and aligns - Contributing through others
Optimises work processes - Contributing through others
Build a successful career with us
Were all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its four business clusters Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Emerging Markets, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.
Core Competencies
Being resilient - Contributing through others
Collaborates - Contributing through others
Cultivates innovation - Contributing through others
Customer focus - Contributing through others
Drives results - Contributing through others
Turnaround time
The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.
Our commitment to transformation
The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.
