Senior Financial Adviser (Elyon) – Sanlam Life and Savings

Location: South Africa

Business Unit: Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) – Elyon

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Posted: 08 October 2026

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

About the Company

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is a core division of the Sanlam Group, dedicated to serving retail and corporate clients across South Africa. Comprising key business clusters—including Retail Mass, Corporate, Risk and Savings, and Glacier—SLS provides strategic direction, governance oversight, and innovative wealth management solutions.

At Sanlam, corporate culture is anchored in transformation, diversity, accountability, and instilling trust. Financial advisers operate in a highly professional, supportive ecosystem equipped with advanced technical resources, market-leading investment platforms (such as Glacier), and continuous professional development frameworks. Joining Sanlam connects you with a trusted financial giant committed to empowering South Africans to achieve financial resilience.

Company Summary

• Industry: Financial Services, Wealth Management & Insurance
• Company Size: Pan-African Enterprise Leader
• Work Culture: Professional, Client-Centric, Value-Driven, Inclusive
• Location: South Africa (National Footprint)

Available Opportunities

Sanlam is recruiting a Senior Financial Adviser within the Elyon practice under Sanlam Life and Savings. Functioning as a senior advisory authority, you will manage high-value client relationships, structure complex financial solutions, and drive distribution growth.

Core Responsibilities:

• Portfolio & Relationship Management: Developing structured account plans for key client segments, engaging decision-makers, and building long-term trust to ensure client retention.
• Specialist Financial & Policy Advice: Providing expert advice on policy interpretation, risk management, savings, and investment structures tailored to client demographics.
• Needs Analysis & Advisory Presentations: Conducting structured client meetings, clarifying complex financial needs, and presenting tailored wealth management proposals.
• Pricing & Terms Negotiation: Leading structured pricing discussions and negotiating terms within approved organizational parameters.
• Strategy & Intermediary Leadership: Influencing distribution strategy at a segment level, providing thought leadership on advice solutions, and mentoring junior intermediaries.

Key Objectives

Your success as a Senior Financial Adviser at Sanlam Elyon will be evaluated by portfolio growth, client retention, regulatory compliance, and advice quality. Within your first 90 days, you will be expected to:

1. Analyze Assigned Portfolio Needs: Review existing client portfolios to identify wealth preservation, risk cover, and savings growth opportunities.
2. Execute Relationship Management Plans: Establish contact routines with key decision-makers and influencers to build rapport and drive engagement.
3. Achieve Sales & Advice Targets: Initiate compelling advisory conversations to meet defined new-business and cross-selling milestones.
4. Maintain Strict Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all advice interactions, needs analyses, and product disclosures comply 100% with FAIS, FICA, and Sanlam governance standards.

What You Will Learn

Stepping into a senior advisory role within Sanlam Life and Savings offers exposure to enterprise-level wealth management strategies. In this role, you will build expertise in:

• Advanced Portfolio Structuring: Applying sophisticated risk, savings, and investment tools across Glacier and SLS product houses.
• Segment Distribution Strategy: Aligning advisory methodologies with evolving market demographics and high-net-worth client requirements.
• Negotiation & Value Framing: Structuring complex pricing terms and articulating long-term financial value to corporate and retail decision-makers.
• Sanlam Governance & Risk Frameworks: Deepening knowledge of second-line-of-defense compliance, policy interpretation, and FAIS regulatory standards.

What You Gain

Joining Sanlam Life and Savings brings market-leading rewards, corporate stability, and career prestige:

• Senior Corporate Appointment: A prestigious advisory role within a top-tier South African financial institution.
• Competitive Compensation & Incentives: Attractive market-related remuneration package paired with performance-driven incentives.
• Enterprise Career Advancement: Clear pathways to transition into Senior Partner, Practice Manager, or Executive Distribution roles.
• Industry-Leading Product Suite: Direct access to Sanlam’s comprehensive product clusters, including Glacier wealth management solutions.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential Minimum Requirements:

• Undergraduate Tertiary Degree or Honours Degree in Commerce, Financial Planning, Business, or related fields (Essential).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in financial advising, wealth management, or corporate client relationship management.
• Proven ability to manage complex intermediary and client portfolios independently.
• Advanced verbal communication, rapport-building, and relationship maintenance skills.
• Fully competent in closing sales, initiating compelling advisory conversations, and managing intermediary processes.
• Sound knowledge of South African financial regulations (FAIS, RE1/RE5, FICA).

Interview Questions to Prepare For

Candidates applying on applyretail.co.za should prepare to answer the following interview questions during the selection process:

1. “How do you conduct a financial needs analysis for high-net-worth or corporate clients with complex risk and investment requirements?”
   • Tip: Detail your step-by-step process: gathering financial data, evaluating risk profiles, modeling long-term scenarios, and presenting tailored solutions across risk and savings platforms.
2. “Can you share an example of how you successfully negotiated terms or closed a complex advisory agreement with a key client?”
   • Tip: Highlight your preparation, understanding client decision-makers, addressing objections, and framing Sanlam’s value proposition within approved pricing boundaries.
3. “How do you maintain long-term client trust and retention during periods of market volatility?”
   • Tip: Focus on proactive communication, regular portfolio reviews, managing expectations, and reaffirming alignment with long-term financial goals.
4. “Why do you want to advance your financial advisory career with Sanlam Life and Savings (Elyon)?”
   • Tip: Emphasize your alignment with Sanlam’s values, your desire to leverage their extensive product range, and your ambition to deliver top-tier financial advice.

Career Advice for Applicants

To ensure your application stands out on applyretail.co.za:

• Highlight Academic & Industry Credentials: Clearly feature your Tertiary Degree, Honours, CFP designation, or FAIS RE qualifications at the top of your CV.
• Quantify Advisory Experience: Detail your 5+ years of experience, mentioning portfolio sizes, production track records, or client retention rates.
• Align with Employment Equity: Note that Sanlam’s Employment Equity targets are considered during selection, as part of their commitment to workplace transformation.
• Apply Online Timeously: Complete your profile and upload all required documents to applyretail.co.za.

How to Apply & Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply:

1. Click the “Apply Now” button below on applyretail.co.za.
2. Upload your CV, Tertiary Degree / Honours transcripts, ID document, FAIS RE certificates, and contactable references.
3. Complete the online Sanlam Life and Savings screening questionnaire.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

• What qualification is required for this role? An Undergraduate or Honours Tertiary Degree is mandatory, alongside a minimum of 5 years of financial advisory experience.
• Which business unit is hiring? The position is within Elyon under Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS).
• Is this position covered by Employment Equity? Yes, Sanlam is committed to transformation, and Employment Equity targets are considered during the recruitment process.

Apply now