Employee Benefits Operations Manager

About the role

A client based in Sandton is looking for an experienced Employee Benefits Operations Manager to direct, modernize and strengthen the operational backbone of its employee benefits division. The role leads the operations behind retirement fund and group risk consulting, coordinating corporate employers, consulting teams and product underwriters. It suits a seasoned EB professional who combines governance and administrative expertise with a drive for digital innovation, workflow automation and client service.

Key responsibilities

• Provide secretarial and administrative support to the Management Committee, including scheduling, succession planning and voting procedures
• Prepare, review and distribute executive and board agenda packs and meeting minutes
• Turn strategic business goals into operational workflows with division leadership
• Deliver employer and scheme presentations, benefit summaries and member onboarding packs
• Maintain employer contact registers, client portal credentials and annual review checklists
• Produce and evaluate scheme administration reports, management information and employer correspondence
• Organize and track corporate client reviews, scheme audits and consultative check-ins
• Structure and review SLAs with corporate employers and fund administrators
• Ensure FICA, FAIS and statutory compliance across client files
• Liaise with insurers, asset managers and underwriters on new schemes and escalations
• Streamline handoffs between consultants, paraplanners and admin support
• Integrate Microsoft 365 Copilot and automated workflows, and report on operational metrics and turnaround times
• Mentor junior administrators and oversee office administration, records management and internal HR coordination
• Coordinate client engagement sessions, wellness days and corporate events, and help with the division's social media presence

Required profile

• Degree in Commerce, Finance, Business Administration or a related field
• Minimum 6 years of operational/administrative experience in employee benefits (retirement funds and group risk)
• Sound understanding of corporate benefit structures, umbrella funds, risk benefits and scheme onboarding
• High-precision administration, attention to detail and methodical documentation
• Clear written and verbal communication with employers, trustees and executives
• Self-directed, resilient under tight deadlines and committed to mentoring junior colleagues

Required skills

• Microsoft 365, including Copilot, SharePoint and Teams
• Advanced Excel and executive-level PowerPoint

To apply, candidates submit through the application form provided by the client.