Available vacancies
Allan Gray roles
We are constantly on the lookout for talented individuals to fill the diverse roles we have available. Here’s a quick overview of key roles within the business and a brief description of their purpose.
- Client services consultant
Deliver excellent service to clients and financial advisers.
- Operations consultant
Process and authorise transactions from clients.
- Business analyst
Perform internal and external research, as well as analysis on products, systems or client portfolios.
- IT operations analyst
Support, maintain and enhance IT applications and environments in the business.
- Product Development
Maintain and enhance our existing product range, as well as the research and development of new products and initiatives.
- People Operations
Enhance staff engagement and performance by focusing on the environment, culture, diversity and administration.
- Software tester
Ensures the delivery of high quality software for our clients through development and optimisation of advanced testing systems.
- Software developer
Research, design and develop software applications that support the operational and strategic goals of the business.
People at Allan Gray
Our employees are our most important differentiator; we invest in our people for the long term. Read the stories of the people who work at Allan Gray to get a sense of the culture of the business, and to learn a bit about your potential future colleagues.
Luthando Mzilikazi
Business development manager, Distribution
People have the perception that the finance industry is ruthless – it may be true for some companies, but not Allan Gray.
While studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree and later an Honours degree in Finance, Luthando says she became acutely aware of the issues in the financial industry. "It's a long-held perception that the industry is predominantly white, and it was hard to imagine that I, as a black woman, could have a successful career at any financial company."
She changed her mind, however, after she was awarded a Fellowship with the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and was paired with a mentor who was an investment analyst at Allan Gray at the time. "From chatting to my mentor about the company, I realised that if I was going to make a meaningful difference in the industry, Allan Gray would be the best place to start working."
After graduating, she was offered a position as a trainee business analyst spending time in various departments to learn the business. After three weeks on her fourth rotation in the Distribution team, which manages the relationship with financial advisers, Luthando was offered her current role as a business development manager.
Luthando also appreciates the support she has received from the company as she balances family, work and her studies towards a Master’s degree in Finance, which the company is paying for. "People have the perception that the finance industry is ruthless – it may be true for some companies, but not Allan Gray. I have been given the space to prioritise my growth and my family."
Steven Motloung
Assistant manager, Business Operations
All in all, I would say that Allan Gray for me has been special. They have invested in my development and I genuinely feel like an asset to the business.
Steven is currently assistant manager in the Group Savings Operations team. He started his journey as an operations consultant, before moving to senior consultant and later, a team leader.
“Everyone I have met at Allan Gray from the moment I walked in – dressed in my suit which I had to quickly change into at the bus station – has been really friendly,” says Steven. “This is my first job, so I was not sure what to expect.”
Steven, who started as an operations consultant, credits his first mentor as an important part of his development. “He just took me under his wing and started opening my mind to how my future could play out at Allan Gray. Since then, I have been very deliberate about finding mentors.”
What constantly surprises him is how much people are willing to share of themselves and what they know. “I believe that people learn from other people. A lot of institutional knowledge is not written down and all of that latent information is easy to get by talking to someone. Even if they can’t help you, they might know someone who can.”
“I have also been lucky enough to go on many leadership courses and to study further - doing a postgraduate degree and now my MBA with the help of Allan Gray. They have invested in my development and I genuinely feel like an asset to the business.”
Tebogo Mbokazi
Junior compliance officer, Compliance
The amazing thing about Allan Gray is that if people can see you are dedicated, they will help you to get where you want to be.
After graduating with a Law degree, and then finding herself at a dead-end, Tebogo applied to Allan Gray. “I was unemployed for a while, and that takes a toll on you; I didn’t think I stood a chance getting into a company like Allan Gray – especially because I had little industry knowledge.”
She was thrilled when she was offered a role in the Life department (which manages retirement products). “I knew little about the industry, but I was confident I would end up in Compliance, which is what I was interested in.” Not long after that, a position became available in the Compliance team. Even though it required two years’ experience, she applied. She was offered a six-month secondment.
“The amazing thing about Allan Gray is that if people can see you are dedicated, they will help you to get where you want to be. My manager is committed to my development and empowers me in all areas of my work, which keeps me growing.”
At the end of her secondment, she was offered a permanent role and has been in the position for three years.
“From the moment I was picked up from the airport when I moved to Cape Town, to my managers who believe in me and my abilities, my time at Allan Gray has been pleasant. Izandla ziyagezana (people help each other) – this is what Allan Gray has taught me.”
Allen Huang
Data scientist, Information Technology
I have worked for pure software companies and thought a finance company could not compare in terms of technology, but I was wrong.
Allen has recently taken on the role of data scientist, under a newly created data science team.
“I have worked for pure software companies and thought a finance company could not compare in terms of technology, but I was wrong. My current role allows me to solve real business problems using data, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Unlike typical developer roles that require the developer to get stuck into the code only, this role allows me to really engage with the business as a whole.”
The best, and worst part, about the experience is working in unchartered terrain. We are constantly exploring and engaging with business problems and solutions that are new and challenging. To put it into context: My manager told me that the sky is the limit and it truly is – everything is fair game. This space [the IT department] allows us to be really innovative and cutting edge.
Shaheed Mohamed
Manager, Product Development
You work for the right stakeholder – the client – not shareholders. If you look after your clients then they become loyal to you which means all stakeholders will benefit.
Shaheed joined Allan Gray when the business had about 400 employees. He has progressed through the business as it has grown and is currently a manager in Product Development.
“I started in the Distribution team, rolling out the platform business. From there I went to a more specialised role representing the unit trust management company. That allowed me to engage with my passion, which is investment management, but also still allowed me to deal with clients.”
With his recent move into Product Development his role has evolved. “What I do daily is solve problems: product problems, process problems, regulatory problems – anything that leads to a better client outcome – be it enhancing our existing offering or establishing a new product to cater for a specific need.
When asked what keeps him at Allan Gray, he answers: “A sense of fulfilment and purpose. You work for the right stakeholder – the client – not shareholders. If you look after your clients then they become loyal to you which means all stakeholders will benefit."
“You also sleep with a clear conscience. I’ve worked in places where you don’t really see the fruits of your work or there is misalignment between what you believe is right and what the company may focus on. At Allan Gray, you see the difference you make and feel fulfilled doing so.”
Nishaat Limbada
Head of Regulatory Compliance, Compliance
I find it really attractive that Allan Gray’s philanthropic drives are central to the business and not just ticking a CSI box.
As a practising lawyer, Nishaat was faced with a career choice: continue to practise law or be in-house counsel for a company.
“Most lawyers leave practice because they don’t want to be lawyers anymore. I still wanted to be a lawyer, but in a different environment,” she says.
Nishaat was attracted to financial services, and she narrowed down her preferred employer by looking at the intangibles, like company values.
“I know that the values you read about on a company website can be unrelated to how things are lived within the company. Luckily, I had a friend who worked at Allan Gray, who gave me the inside scoop into the company culture.”
“And when I started in 2014 as a legal adviser, I found that people here do believe in the values. I find it really attractive that Allan Gray’s philanthropic drives are central to the business and not just ticking a CSI box.”
Nishaat is now head of Compliance. “I lead a team of strong professionals who are constantly developing and force me to improve every single day. My team ensures trust and brings the business peace of mind. I feel like I could be a compliance officer for a decade, and the work would not stop testing me in new ways.
“I always say to my team that it’s not about your title, but the influence and responsibility you have.”
Nokuthaba Ngwenya
Domain owner, Information Technology
Allan Gray as a whole is not a sink or swim environment; as much as you might have the talent, you also need people supporting your development.
Hailing from Hwange in Zimbabwe, Nokuthaba started at Allan Gray as a trainee business analyst. As she puts it the opportunity came through a series of lucky events: falling into IT as a student, declining what seemed to be a good position in Johannesburg and, finally, having a friend who worked at Allan Gray. “My friend told me about working at Allan Gray, because I did not know much about it. It seemed like a distant, unreachable brand, but I could not be more wrong…”
“That first interview really set me straight on the type of place it was. It felt like the people interviewing me were most concerned with who I am as a person and how I would fit into the business. The following interviews did get tougher though, but looking back I think it was necessary.”
And that theme continued as she started her career at Allan Gray. “When I started I had an issue with being heard, especially in meetings, having just come out of university. My mentor at the time really helped me learn to stand my ground and argue my point. Having someone who has your back like that has been very valuable to me…In fact, she has pushed me to develop myself from the moment we met. Allan Gray as a whole is not a sink or swim environment; as much as you might have the talent, you also need people supporting your development.”
Nokuthuba has gone on to be a senior business analyst and is now a domain owner. “As great as it has been to grow in the business, I think the thing I most enjoy is being able to get outside the box of IT. When we recently launched Umbrella Funds I got to be involved in strategic and business conversations – it really opened my eyes to how the business works from the inside,” she ends.
Anja Gregori
Junior business analyst, Information Technology
There is a perception that being a consultant is like a call centre agent, but it’s actually quite a knowledge-intensive role. You need to know a lot about investments…
Anja began her journey at Allan Gray as a client service consultant and she is now a junior business analyst.
As a graduate recruit, what most surprised Anja about Allan Gray was the amount of support she has received. Starting out as a client service centre consultant she went through a few months of training to prepare for the role. “There is a perception that being a consultant is like a call centre agent, but it’s actually quite a knowledge-intensive role. You need to know a lot about investments so that you can handle anything a client throws at you.”
Anja was recently promoted to specialist and is finding that her training has prepared her well for the transition, although her new role is much less structured.
“As a consultant you are busy, in a good way, every day with calls to manage, emails to write and other things. I now have to think hard about how I can be most effective. But the transition has been easier than I expected. People are so approachable; there is always someone willing to help you out and be a sounding board for your ideas. On the whole Allan Gray has really sold me on its culture and people.”