Introduction
Strategy Associate

Sandton

Support the strategy development process by shaping and driving analysis in order to produce insights that give direction to the business. Assist with business case development, facilitation, encourage acceptance and commitment to strategic goals and drive communication of the strategic direction to the business. provide a supporting role to the analysts in the team.
Duties & Responsibilities
Strategy Development

• Supports Strategy Managers in delivering strategy development projects and regular environmental reporting.
• Responsible for delivering on problem based workstreams.
• Understands and implements approaches, methodologies and frameworks to generate strategic insights.
• Takes responsibility for end-to-end delivery of smaller strategy projects and areas of environmental analysis .
• Provides credible input and challenge to business strategies
• Builds knowledge of the broader business and the financial services industry.
• Facilitates efforts of the Strategy Managers, leadership and business units to link strategies and tactics of individual units.

Problem Solving

• Able to recognise client needs and propose ways to solve them
• Takes ownership of focused problems or complex workstreams from hypothesis to conclusion
• Develops project approach with Strategy Manager, demonstrates ability to plan, manage and organise complex/large volumes of work
• Demonstrates an organised, structured, methodical approach to all tasks
• Coaches others on methodologies/problem-solving techniques

Delivery and Quality Analysis

• Numerical Analysis: Makes appropriate use of technical tools; uses appropriate structuring, clear formatting, transparent formulae and sourcing; embedded quality checks
• Financial Modelling & Analysis: Structures and builds complex financial models (integrated statements, activity based costing etc); capable of scenario modelling/forecasting; capable of interrogating financial statements
• Secondary & Primary Research: Can run a research-based assignment, managing analysts with minimal supervision; research is thorough (applicability and limitations are clearly articulated
• Industry & Company Analysis: Develops compelling analysis of competitive environment and market situation, highlighting key conclusions
• Develops the storyline to explain findings of work. Draws clear conclusions and recommendations
• Delivers work of a quality equal to international consultancies. Maintains intensity through project.
• Meets deadlines and manages senior strategy analyst deliverables to plan, maintaining an understanding of dependencies across multiple related work items.

Personal Effectiveness, Relationship building and Communication

• Coordinates activities and meetings with internal clients and acts as point person with peer-level team.
• Capable of using influence to ensure deliverables are achieved
• Presents a confident, articulate, professional, trustworthy character to internal clients.
• Responds to client needs with a sense of urgency.
• Takes account of client sensitivities
• Focused in communication, with clear upward communication providing timely discussion of issues and problems with project team and stakeholders
• Written communication is clear, concise and highlights insights resulting from analysis.
• Develops blank slides to structure own and others' output to tell a clear story,
• Performs quality checks on own and others' work.
• Contributes insights, opinions and conclusions to team and client meetings clearly and articulately. Prepared to defend arguments based on analysis
• Facilitates or leads client discussions as appropriate/ directed

Team Focus

• Contributes to the development of and helps lead a focused team of ambitious, intelligent and analytical people.
• Provides quality checks and coach for work completed on initiatives

Desired Experience & Qualification

• Relevant tertiary qualification (BCom, BSc, CA, Actuarial Science or B Bus SC or similar)
• 4 years relevant experience in financial services and/or business strategy
• Prior consultancy experience is an advantage
• Exceptional proficiency in MS Excel
• Expertise in financial analysis and data modelling
• Knowledge and experience of emerging technologies is advantageous25.10lo

Package & Remuneration
Negotiable