Relationship Manager & Technical Adviser

About the Business

Our client is a privately owned, international financial and fiduciary services group providing bespoke, cross‑border solutions to private clients, corporates and institutions. Operating across multiple jurisdictions, the group delivers tailored services spanning fiduciary and trust solutions, trade finance, structured finance, private equity and related advisory services. The business is known for its long‑term, relationship‑led approach, strong governance standards and collaborative culture. Senior stakeholders remain actively involved in clients and strategy, and the firm offers a professional, discreet and entrepreneurial environment in which individuals are trusted to operate with autonomy and judgement.

Role Overview

This is a senior, client‑facing role focused on building, managing and growing relationships with South African private and corporate clients. Acting as the local representative of the group, the Relationship Manager & Technical Adviser will be responsible for overseeing key client relationships, supporting new business development and coordinating appropriate solutions across the group's fiduciary, trade finance, structured finance and private equity offerings. The role requires a strong balance of relationship management, commercial insight and technical understanding, working closely with internal specialists across jurisdictions to deliver integrated, cross‑border solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Relationship & Service Delivery: Act as a primary relationship contact for South African clients, alongside internal trust officers, advisers and specialists. Build and maintain long‑term, trusted client relationships with a strong focus on retention and service excellence. Understand client objectives and coordinate appropriate fiduciary, trade finance and structured solutions. Represent the business locally with professionalism, discretion and credibility. Ensure a consistently high standard of client service across jurisdictions.
• Business Development & Growth: Identify and develop new business opportunities within the South African market. Broaden referral networks and introducer relationships, extending the group's reach over time. Support proposals, presentations and onboarding of new clients. Work collaboratively with colleagues across jurisdictions to deliver joined‑up group solutions across fiduciary, trade finance and private equity services.
• Trade Finance & Structured Solutions: Introduce trade finance and structured finance solutions to suitable corporate and entrepreneurial clients. Work with internal trade finance teams to support facilities including letters of credit, guarantees and transactional funding. Assist clients in understanding and structuring solutions to support working capital, supply‑chain and growth requirements. Identify opportunities where trade finance or structured solutions may complement fiduciary or advisory mandates.
• Risk, Compliance & Governance: Ensure client relationships, structures and transactions are managed in line with AML/CFT and regulatory requirements. Support due diligence processes and ongoing compliance obligations. Maintain accurate records of client interactions and share relevant updates with international teams. Proactively manage operational, regulatory and reputational risk in line with group standards.

Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience in relationship management, client advisory, business development or another senior client‑facing role.
• Demonstrable experience closing deals and building long‑term client relationships.
• CA (SA) Professional qualification preferred (e.g. accountancy, legal, banking or finance‑related discipline).
• Exposure to fiduciary services, trade finance, structured finance or private equity is advantageous.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to identify and develop client opportunities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively across teams, jurisdictions and service lines.
• Strong organisational skills and administrative discipline.

Personal Attributes

• Highly client‑focused with a professional, relationship‑led mindset.
• Confident, personable and comfortable engaging face‑to‑face with clients.
• Self‑motivated and able to operate autonomously while collaborating closely with international teams.
• Demonstrates integrity, discretion and sound judgement.
• Proactive, adaptable and commercially minded.

Working Arrangement & Location

Based in South Africa, with an office base available in Johannesburg and flexible working arrangements. Client‑facing role involving regular in‑person meetings and local travel. Ongoing collaboration with international teams.

Compensation

Base salary: circa £70,000 - £80,000 (approximately ZAR 1.5m - 1.8m), depending on experience. Performance‑related bonus and incentive scheme. Competitive overall package available for the right candidate.