Job Description

Full job descriptionWho are we?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?The SRM Head – Assupol Retail Distribution is accountable for the strategic leadership, commercial performance, operational execution, and long-term sustainability of the Assupol Retail tied distribution channel.This role leads the national tied channel through:Building a high-performance sales cultureStrengthening leadership capability across regionsDriving customer-focused, multi-need distributionEmbedding operational excellenceDriving commercial discipline and cost effectivenessEnsuring full alignment with SRM’s unified distribution strategyThis role is instrumental in positioning SRM’s tied distribution as a future-fit, multi-product, digitally enabled, commercially efficient engine that delivers growth with qualityWhat will make you successful in this role?Output / Core Responsibilities1. Strategic Leadership & Channel DirectionLead the strategic direction for the Assupol Retail Distribution channel as part of SRM’s unified distribution model.Translate enterprise strategy into clear national, regional operating plans.Drive market penetration strategies, especially in high-growth and underdeveloped regions.Lead channel evolution to support multi-need customer engagement and diversified product penetration.Shape the medium- and long-term roadmap for a sustainable, growth-driven tied channel.2. Commercial & Financial SustainabilityDrive distribution performance with a balanced focus on growth, productivity, quality, and operational discipline.Strengthen distribution economics by embedding cost-effective sales practices and optimising commission release structures.Lead cost-to-income and commercial sustainability initiatives across regions to ensure long term viability and performance stability.3. Sales Performance, Productivity & Quality ManagementAccountable for national sales performance across new business, productivity, quality, and customer measures.Set and cascade clear sales targets and operating rhythms across provinces.Drive productivity uplift through consistent pipeline management, field coaching, daily/weekly visibility, and sales discipline.Champion multi-product selling across advisers and managers, ensuring alignment to customer needs and SRM’s advisory philosophy.Strengthening sales quality, ensuring best-in-class standards in onboarding, data hygiene, compliance, and customer outcomes.4. Leadership Development & People CapabilityBuild a strong, scalable, and capable leadership pipeline.Drive leadership development programmes that enhance strategic thinking, operational acumen, and people leadership capability.Champion a culture of accountability, performance ownership, and delivery discipline.Ensure adviser capability is continuously uplifted through structured learning, onboarding, coaching, and productivity accelerators.Support organisational transformation goals, talent mobility, and inclusive leadership practices.5. Integration, Transformation & Organisational AlignmentLead the integration of Assupol Retail Distribution into SRM’s unified distribution model,Drive cultural integration, building a cohesive, high-performance, “One Distribution” identity.Ensure seamless collaboration across SRM clusters including Operations, Enablement, Finance, Human Capital, and Data.Support modernisation and digital adoption across the tied channel to increase efficiency and customer experience quality.6. Governance, Compliance & Risk ManagementUphold full compliance with regulatory and governance requirements, including FAIS, TCF, and conduct standards.Strengthen governance practices across ensuring ethical sales behaviours and consistent customer outcomes.Implement strong quality assurance practices, early-warning mechanisms, and operational that protect business integrity.Ensure readiness for internal and external audit and strengthen risk management practices across the channel.