Account Executive, Sub-Saharan Africa (VP III)

Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Team: SSIM MEA Client Coverage

About State Street

Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success.

Our promise to maintain an environment where every employee feels valued and is given equal opportunities to meet their full potential regardless of their identity, origin or gender infuses our day-to-day efforts. It’s also part of our commitment to inclusion, development and engagement, and corporate social responsibility. Join us.

At State Street Investment Management (SSIM), our mission is to invest responsibly to enable economic prosperity and social progress. Our vision is to be the first investment call for every institutional investor and financial intermediary.

In order to achieve SSIM’s Mission and Vision, our Client Coverage Group will drive the sale of a robust mix of innovative solutions to our institutional clients, including active and beta strategies, while delivering a best-in-class service experience within a culture that values diversity, collaboration and learning.

Job Description

Overview of role:

We are looking for a seasoned sales/business development professional to join our dynamic, diverse SSIM Middle East & Africa (MEA) team. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, you will be a key member of the State Street Investment Management MEA Client Coverage Group contributing to our prospecting, new revenue generation and client retention efforts in South Africa and other selected Sub-Saharan Africa countries.

You will be part of an ambitious and entrepreneurial business development team covering a range of client segments including Central Banks, Public and Corporate Pension Funds, Consultants, Discretionary Fund Managers and Asset/Wealth Managers. Product coverage will span the full range of SSIM capabilities including indexed equities, global fixed income, cash, ETF’s, quantitative and fundamental equities, private markets, multi-asset and OCIO solutions.  

You will need to collaborate with colleagues in investments, research, and marketing. The role requires energy, flexibility, curiosity and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

We want you to develop a deep understanding of the SSIM franchise in the Middle East and Africa region to advance our pipeline and actively contribute to the region’s annual gross and net new revenue targets.

What we will ask you to do:

• Assume ownership and accountability for growing/converting an existing sales pipeline  
• Work with line management on annual sales strategy and commit to its successful execution
• Take a leading role in retaining existing business by delivering high quality relationship management and anticipating our clients’ evolving needs
• Contribute to new product ideas and build robust business cases for consideration by Product Development
• Successfully deliver on individual KPI’s and contribute to the region’s Annualized Gross and Net New Revenue targets
• Take the lead on dedicated RFP's, product information gathering and client-centric research origination/dissemination
• Harness the expertise of our internal specialists (e.g. portfolio management, portfolio strategy, research, Cash, ETFs, etc.) in order to deliver a consultative sale to clients
• Monitor key product performance and liaise with portfolio strategists to ensure proactive engagement with our client base
• Build strong, positive relationships with key internal stakeholders
• Maintain the highest possible fiduciary standards and ensure compliance with all internal and external requirements

Qualifications

What we would love you to be:

• Academic background in finance, economics, business or a related field
• CFA/CAIA charter holder/ candidate or equivalent
• Proven experience in asset management sales and/or relationship management
• Minimum 8 years experience in investment management client facing roles in South Africa
• Demonstrable network of clients/prospects in South Africa and broader Sub-Saharan Africa
• Willing to travel extensively across the region and internationally
• Fluency in English
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A good problem solver and trouble-shooter, with the ability to identify and analyze issues with the creativity and energy to solve them

Who you are:

• You are articulate, curious and entrepreneurial
• You want to work in a diverse, multi-cultural environment
• You are motivated and keen to deliver the best possible result to clients
• You have the patience and resilience to work through lengthy sales conversion cycles
• You are passionate about long-term relationship building
• You understand the importance of risk excellence when representing a global financial services firm in emerging markets

About State Street

Across the globe, institutional investors rely on us to help them manage risk, respond to challenges, and drive performance and profitability. We keep our clients at the heart of everything we do, and smart, engaged employees are essential to our continued success.

We are committed to fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. As an essential partner in our shared success, you’ll benefit from inclusive development opportunities, flexible work-life support, paid volunteer days, and vibrant employee networks that keep you connected to what matters most. Join us in shaping the future.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we consider all qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, military and veteran status, and other characteristics protected by applicable law.

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