To ensure that the Personal Investments fund range (both local and global) is fit for purpose and competitively positioned. The role combines strategic product thinking with hands-on analytical rigour, spanning local and global markets and working at the intersection of investment management, client needs, competitor dynamics, and operational execution to deliver a world-class retail fund offering.
Fund Range Integrity and Product Management:
- Process ownership of the maintenance and evolution of the Personal Investments fund range, encompassing the local collective investment scheme range and the UCITS range.
- Continuously assess each fund’s fit for purpose, market relevance, and alignment with investor needs.
- Evaluate competitive positioning relative to peers and industry benchmarks using third party and proprietary data.
- Contribute to the market positioning and messaging for each fund - working with the investment team, distribution and marketing to ensure funds are clearly and compellingly articulated to gatekeepers, advisers and investors.
- Shape how funds are presented across factsheets, due diligence documents, platform descriptions, and other client-facing materials, ensuring consistency and strategic alignment.
- Identify and act on opportunities arising from industry or market developments that could strengthen the offering.
- Maintain accurate governance records across the full fund range (ZAR and UCITS) — covering fees, share classes, benchmarks, and fund documentation.
New Product Development:
- Coordinate the end-to-end process for new fund launches - from concept and business case through to approval and go-to-market.
- Research product structures, fee models, and wrapper strategies suited to the retail market, both locally and offshore.
- Design and propose appropriate fee structures, including performance fees where warranted.
- Coordinate with investment teams, legal, compliance, and operations to bring new products to market.
Global Product Strategy:
- Maintain the UCITS fund range in conjunction with Coronation’s Dublin and London offices.
- Track global product trends and innovations that could inform or reshape the retail fund offering.
- Evaluate international product structures and distribution models for applicability to the local and offshore ranges.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Group Product Actuary, Dublin and London teams to ensure alignment on product strategy and execution.
Pricing & Fee Strategy:
- Track material fee trends across the retail fund management industry in South Africa and globally.
- Benchmark TERs and transaction costs against competitors and industry norms.
- Recommend pricing adjustments to maintain competitiveness while protecting margins.
- Produce fee analysis and modelling to support strategic decision-making.
Data, Analytics & Reporting:
- Build competitor intelligence, and analyse market trends to inform product strategy.
- Deliver regular reporting to the Head of Personal Investments and broader PI leadership team.
- Use data to identify risks, opportunities, and early warning signals across the fund range.
Strategic Projects:
- Lead or contribute to special projects of strategic importance to the Personal Investments business.
- Work cross-functionally with investment, distribution, operations, and technology teams as required.
- Provide thought leadership on product innovation and the future shape of the retail fund range.
PI Manco & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Operate as a core member of the Personal Investments Management Company (Manco) team.
- Ensure consistency of process between Personal Investments and Institutional products by coordinating with the Product Development Actuary.
- Contribute to Manco governance, decision-making, and strategic planning processes.
- Serve as the product interface with LISP platform & CIS manco partners, ensuring smooth fund onboarding and maintenance.
- Stay abreast of regulatory developments (CISCA, FSCA, ASISA) that may impact on the product offering.
- Serve as Coronation’s rep on the ASISA Fund Classification Committee.
- 8+ years of relevant experience in asset management, product development, or financial services.
- Demonstrated product management or product development experience within a fund manager, LISP, multi-manager, or life insurer.
- Strong understanding of the South African retail savings and investment industry.
- Experience with unit trust fund structures, fee models, and product lifecycle management.
- Exposure to global product structures (UCITS experience highly advantageous).
- DFM (discretionary fund management) or multi-manager experience would be a strong differentiator.
- Track record of using data and analytics to drive product decisions.
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally across investment, distribution, and operations teams.
- Relevant postgraduate degree (e.g. BCom Honours, MCom, MBA, Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning, or equivalent).
- CFA designation or actuarial qualification would be advantageous but is not required.
- An ownership mindset - someone who treats the fund range as their own business, combining strategic vision with relentless attention to detail and a drive for continuous improvement.
- Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel essential).
- Experience with data and analytics tools advantageous (e.g. Power BI, Bloomberg, Morningstar Direct, or similar).
- Familiarity with fund administration and platform systems advantageous.
