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Job Description

The Senior Portfolio Implementation Specialist is responsible for overseeing the accurate, timely and controlled implementation of investment decisions across Symmetry’s portfolios and solutions.
The role acts as a key link between Investments, Operations and Product teams to ensure portfolios remain aligned to mandates, model structures, asset allocation decisions and client requirements.

The role combines hands-on portfolio implementation with operational oversight, implementation governance, cash and transition management, and team coordination. The incumbent is expected to operate with a high degree of technical competence and ownership across portfolio implementation activities, while also supporting process improvement, implementation controls and operational scalability.

The role plays an important part in ensuring that investment decisions are translated into accurate portfolio outcomes that support client delivery, operational integrity and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Implementation & Monitoring

• Perform and oversee daily portfolio implementation activities across Symmetry portfolios and solutions.
•  Monitor portfolios against mandates, target allocations, model structures and investment strategies.
•  Perform portfolio alignment and rebalancing activities across portfolios and platforms.
• Ensure portfolios remain aligned to investment decisions, liquidity requirements and operational constraints.
• Monitor effective cash positions, portfolio exposures and implementation exceptions.

Trade Oversight & Implementation Governance

• Review implementation instructions and trade activity for accuracy, completeness and mandate alignment.
• Identify and investigate implementation risks, discrepancies or operational issues.
• Act as an escalation point for complex implementation or portfolio-related issues.
• Ensure implementation activities are completed within agreed operational timelines and governance standards.
• Support implementation sign-off controls and quality assurance processes.

Cash Flow, Transition & Operational Management

• Manage portfolio cash flows, transitions, restructures and portfolio changes.
• Coordinate implementation activities relating to:
  • Portfolio take-ons
  • Client transitions
  • Fund restructures
  • Manager changes
  • Asset allocation changes
• Support management of liquidity movements and foreign exchange transactions where required.

• Work closely with Operations and external service providers to ensure smooth implementation and settlement outcomes.
• Investigate and resolve portfolio breaks, cash discrepancies and operational exceptions.

Mandate Oversight & Regulatory Alignment

• Maintain strong understanding of portfolio mandates, benchmarks, tracking error limits and investment constraints.
• Ensure portfolios are implemented in accordance with:
  • Client mandates
  • Regulatory requirements
  • Internal governance standards
  • Product rules and restrictions
• Support audit engagements, operational reviews and governance requests relating to portfolio implementation activities.
• Assist with documenting and tracking implementation incidents, operational risks and remediation actions.

Stakeholder Coordination & Collaboration

• Coordinate across Investments, Operations, Product, Governance and Data teams.
• Support portfolio managers and investment teams with implementation analysis and portfolio execution activities.
• Communicate implementation issues, risks and operational impacts clearly to relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in operational and implementation-related projects and business initiatives.

Process Improvement & Operational Scalability

• Identify opportunities to improve implementation efficiency, controls and scalability.
• Contribute to automation, process enhancement and operational improvement initiatives.
• Support development of implementation reporting, operational dashboards and monitoring processes.
• Analyse implementation trends, portfolio activity and operational metrics to identify areas for improvement.

These responsibilities offer an overview and a general outline of the role and are not exhaustive.

Qualifications and Experience required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Investments, Economics, Mathematics or related field.
• Post-graduate qualification in Finance or Investments advantageous.
• CFA or other investment-related qualifications advantageous.
• 5–8 years’ experience within investment operations, portfolio implementation, multi-management, DFM or asset management environments.
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Portfolio implementation
  • Portfolio monitoring
  • Trade management
  • Cash and transition management
  • Investment operations
• Strong understanding of:
  • Multi-asset portfolios
  • Asset allocation implementation
  • Portfolio structures
  • Investment mandates and benchmarks
• Experience working across multiple stakeholders within an investment management environment.
• Experience with portfolio management, order management or investment operations systems advantageous.

 

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Skills

Action Planning, Backlog Management, Change Management, Data Compilation, Executing Plans, Legal Practices, Occupational Safety and Health, Oral Communications, Organizational Design, Policies & Procedures, Professional Presentation, Project Budget Management, Project Delivery Management, Readiness Assessments

Competencies

Builds Effective Teams

Communicates Effectively

Customer Focus

Directs Work

Drives Engagement

Drives Results

Ensures Accountability

Financial Acumen

Education

NQF Level 9 – Masters

Closing Date

08 September 2026 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

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