At Intelligent Option, we help blue-chip asset managers, wealth managers, and multi-manager platforms modernise their operating models—merging strategic vision with technology-led execution. Our engagements range from front-office digitisation and data-warehouse roll-outs to regulatory change and multi-manager product launches. To meet accelerating demand, we are building a curated bench of senior independent Business Analysts who can parachute into complex programmes, engage credibly with investment stakeholders, and translate business goals into scalable, data-driven solutions. If you are passionate about the mechanics of investing, thrive on untangling complexity, and enjoy the freedom of contracting while still benefiting from a collaborative consulting community, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities — Expanded

Stakeholder Engagement & Requirements Elicitation

• Facilitate workshops and one-on-one interviews with C-suite, portfolio managers, risk, compliance, and technology teams to capture end-to-end business, functional, and data requirements.
• Translate high-level strategic objectives into detailed user stories, acceptance criteria, and solution blueprints.

Process & Operating-Model Design

• Map current-state (AS-IS) and target-state (TO-BE) workflows across investment lifecycle areas: onboarding, trade capture, order management, settlement, performance & attribution, client reporting, and fee billing.
• Identify bottlenecks, control gaps, and cost drivers; propose automation or re-engineering opportunities aligned to best practice (BPMN, Lean Six Sigma).

Data & Systems Analysis

• Perform data lineage, mapping, and quality assessments across front-, middle-, and back-office platforms (e.g., OMS, PMS, data warehouses).
• Specify integration touchpoints, API payloads, and master-data standards that support scalable data-driven operating models.

Regulatory & Risk Alignment

• Analyse the impact of FSCA, CISCA, FAIS, Solvency II, and global standards (MiFID II, FATCA, ESG disclosure) on business processes and system designs.
• Ensure deliverables include control points, audit trails, and evidence packs for regulatory inspections.

Delivery Support

• Maintain traceability from requirements through design, build, and test; manage JIRA/Azure DevOps backlogs.
• Develop and execute test scenarios; coordinate user-acceptance testing and defect triage.
• Prepare training materials and support change-management plans to drive adoption and minimise operational risk.

Continuous Improvement & Thought Leadership

• Track industry trends—multi-manager structures, model-portfolio services, AI-driven analytics—and advise clients on innovation roadmaps.
• Mentor junior BAs and contribute to Intelligent Option’s internal knowledge-sharing forums.

Must-Have Expertise

Industry Experience

• Minimum 3 years in Financial Services with demonstrable delivery in Asset & Wealth Management (portfolio accounting, performance & attribution, investment data, or client-reporting projects).

Qualifications

• Relevant bachelor’s degree (e.g., Finance, Investment Management, Economics, Information Systems, Engineering or equivalent). Post-graduate finance, CFA Level I/II, or MBA advantageous.

Business-Analysis Skills

• Proficiency in requirements management (BABOK), backlog grooming (Agile/Scrum or SAFe), process modelling (BPMN/Visio, UML), and documentation best practice.

Data & Technical Acumen

• Comfortable with data-model design, SQL or Power BI for ad-hoc analysis, and API/integration specs (REST/JSON, ETL). Experience with investment platforms (e.g., SimCorp, Eagle, Charles River, Aladdin, or Microsoft Dynamics 365) is an advantage.

Multi-Manager Edge (Preferred)

• Exposure to fund-of-funds, wrap platforms, LISP administration, or multi-manager portfolio construction and reporting.

Regulatory Knowledge

• Working understanding of South African FSCA rules, CISCA guidelines, TCF principles, and global regulations impacting asset managers.

Soft Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication, stakeholder-management finesse, analytical mindset, and the ability to work autonomously as an independent consultant.

Ready to Elevate Your Consulting Career? — Next-Step

Submit Your Application (5 minutes)

• Click “Easy Apply” on LinkedIn.
• Attach your updated CV (PDF preferred) that highlights:
• Asset & Wealth-management assignments include scope, duration, and specific deliverables.
• Toolsets/platforms you have used (e.g., SimCorp, Eagle, Charles River, Dynamics 365, Power BI).
• Regulatory or multi-manager experience (wrap funds, FoF, LISP), if applicable.
• Include a concise cover note (150–200 words) addressing:
• Your most impactful consulting engagement in the last two years—what problem did you solve, and what was the tangible outcome?
• When you are available to start, and your indicative daily rate.

Initial Screening

• A member of our talent-acquisition team will review your submission against project demand and reach out via LinkedIn message or email to arrange a 15-minute discovery call.

Expertise Deep-Dive & Cultural Fit (1 hour interview)

• Conducted by a senior Principal Consultant. Expect scenario-based questions covering:
• Elicitation approach for a front-office data-integration project.
• Handling conflicting stakeholder priorities under tight deadlines.
• Designing TO-BE processes for a multi-manager onboarding workflow.
• Bring examples of artefacts (process maps, user stories, traceability matrix) you have personally produced.

Client-Panel Interview (optional, 30–60 minutes)

• For certain mandates, shortlisted consultants will meet the client’s programme lead to validate domain depth and interpersonal fit.

Offer & Onboarding

• We issue a contract outlining the hourly rate, engagement term, and statement of work.
• Complete our streamlined onboarding:
• Compliance check (right-to-work, reference, background screening).
• NDA and information-security training.
• Access provisioning to project collaboration tools (Teams, SharePoint).