Financial Advisor (Institutional & Impact)
IT Corporation — Cape Town or Johannesburg (Hybrid) — Full-time
Purpose: Advise institutional investors, DFIs, central/commercial banks, family offices, and select HNW clients on capital allocation strategies that integrate emerging‑markets opportunity, sustainability (resource‑efficiency/ESG), and risk‑managed growth.
What you will achieve (12‑month outcomes)
- Institutional pipeline & wins: Build a qualified advisory pipeline across DFIs, banks, family offices; close multi‑year mandates with measurable impact KPIs.
- Policy‑aligned pilots: Launch two pilots (e.g., stable‑value rails, tokenized MMF) with regulated partners; document controls (reserves, KYC/AML, disclosures).
- ESG advisory book: Deliver resource‑efficiency/ESG advisory with auditable metrics; reduce Scope‑3 model risk through operational data.
- Thought leadership: Publish briefings and host workshops; drive win‑rate lift and shorten sales cycle.
- Governance & compliance: Achieve zero critical findings across reviews; embed client‑side policy guardrails.
Responsibilities
Client Strategy & Origination
- Originate and deepen relationships across Africa/EM; align executive sponsors and committees.
- Segment coverage (banks, DFIs, asset owners, family offices) with tailored value propositions.
- Structure mandates (SMA/advisory) with investment, risk, and product teams.
Portfolio & Advisory
- Translate sustainability/resource‑efficiency data into investable theses and portfolio guidance.
- Support IC presentations and board‑level communications with evidence‑based narratives.
- Coordinate with CIO/risk partners on constraints, wrappers, and reporting.
Policy & Digital Rails
- Advise on digital rails and tokenization in regulated contexts; define governance and controls.
- Map IDV/KYC/AML cost stack; propose inclusion‑friendly pathways with supervisors.
- Partner with legal/compliance to align with jurisdictional requirements.
Research & Thought Leadership
- Produce market notes/webinars on EM disclosure regimes, ESG data quality, and transition finance.
- Run client workshops on decarbonization, water, and waste footprints linked to performance.
- Track policy momentum (e.g., sandbox initiatives) and convert into funded projects.
Relationship & Ecosystem
- Build convening forums with banks, processors, fintechs, and regulators.
- Maintain reference boards/trustees and partnerships that accelerate adoption.
- Mentor associates; contribute to a low‑ego, outcomes‑first culture.
Compliance & Risk
- Ensure advice adheres to regulatory and client policies; maintain documentation and audit trails.
- Identify and mitigate conflicts, suitability risks, and model/data limitations.
- Champion privacy and data‑minimization principles.
Qualifications
Must‑have
- 10+ years in institutional markets (EM equities, distribution, asset management, or IB).
- Proven growth in advisory/capital‑raising; board‑level communication skills.
- Experience with sustainability/impact frameworks and data‑driven investment approaches.
- Familiarity with digital transactions/tokenization policy and risk in financial services.
- Strong Africa/EM networks; ability to travel regionally.
Nice‑to‑have
- CFA and/or CFP; local regulatory licenses (e.g., FSCA/UK equivalents) or clear pathway.
- Experience launching policy‑aligned pilots with banks/processors/regulators.
- Public speaking, publications, or webinar leadership on ESG/resource efficiency.
- Multi‑lingual (English plus Dutch/Russian or regional languages).
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Growth
Qualified pipeline, win‑rate, mandates closed, revenue vs. plan
Client Outcomes
Impact KPIs (carbon/water/waste), portfolio risk/return deltas
Advisory Quality
IC/board satisfaction, renewal rate, documentation quality
Compliance & Risk
Zero critical findings; audit readiness; suitability/COI controls
Thought Leadership
Briefings/webinars delivered; engagement metrics; press mentions
Team & Culture
Mentoring, community contributions, engagement scores
30 / 60 / 90 Day Plan
First 30 days
- Map current books, policy constraints, and impact priorities with leadership.
- Publish territory plan and top‑10 target accounts with hypotheses and intros.
- Agree compliance guardrails; define pilot selection criteria with risk/legal.
60 days
- Run first executive workshops; shape proposals and pilot scope.
- Stand up a repeatable advisory materials stack (IC decks, templates, metrics).
- Initiate thought‑leadership cadence (notes, webinars).
90 days
- Land early wins: one mandate signed and one pilot in execution.
- Lock quarterly OKRs and dashboarding for pipeline and impact metrics.
- Codify renewal and expansion motions with customer success.
Culture Alignment (How we work)
One Team
We win together and operate with low ego. Leaders remove friction and create clarity.
Re‑imagine It
We experiment, learn fast, and modernize safely.
Own It
We are accountable for outcomes, reliability, and compliance.
Inspire Growth
We mentor, invest in craft, and build career paths.
Keep it Real
We communicate with clarity and integrity; we measure what matters.
Do it with Heart
We design for people, respect privacy, and contribute to community.
Working Model, Compensation, and Benefits
- Hybrid with periodic travel to key hubs; flexible schedule aligned to client needs.
- Compensation with base, performance bonus, and equity options where applicable.
- Comprehensive health coverage, learning budget, and wellness benefits.
Hiring Process
- Intro conversation (Head of Advisory/CHRO)
- Deep dives: institutional advisory, ESG/data, policy & digital rails
- People and culture panel
- Executive presentation: portfolio thesis and 90‑day plan
- References and offer