Chief Investment Officer

The Focus Group Sandton, South Africa 28 September 2026 Senior Full Time Market Related On-site 15 years Skills C Macroeconomic Analysis R Strategy Industries Financial Services Management Benefits Stock Options Job Description ![][1] CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

Location: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa

Industry: Investment Management / Financial Services

Department: Investments

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director

Executive Level: C-Suite

Role Purpose

The Chief Investment Officer (CIO) will provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the organisation's investment function, with overall accountability for investment philosophy, asset allocation, portfolio construction, investment performance and governance.

The CIO will lead a high-performing investment team and ensure that investment strategies deliver sustainable, risk-adjusted returns aligned with client mandates, organisational objectives and applicable regulatory requirements.

As a key member of the Executive Committee, the CIO will play a central role in shaping the organisation's overall strategy, strengthening its investment proposition and representing the business with institutional clients, boards, investment committees and other key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Strategy and Leadership

• Develop, implement and continuously evolve the organisation's overarching investment strategy and philosophy.
• Provide strategic leadership across asset allocation, portfolio construction, manager selection and investment research.
• Translate macroeconomic, market and industry developments into actionable investment views and portfolio positioning.
• Ensure investment strategies remain aligned with client objectives, risk parameters and long-term return expectations.
• Lead the development of new investment capabilities, products and solutions in response to changing client and market requirements.

Investment Performance

• Assume overall accountability for investment performance across relevant portfolios, mandates and/or investment strategies.
• Establish appropriate return, risk and benchmark frameworks.
• Monitor portfolio performance and identify opportunities to enhance investment outcomes.
• Lead investment performance reviews and provide clear analysis of attribution, positioning and investment decisions.
• Ensure disciplined decision-making through clearly defined investment processes.

Asset Allocation and Portfolio Construction

• Provide leadership regarding strategic and tactical asset allocation.
• Oversee portfolio construction across relevant asset classes, which may include:
• Listed equities
• Fixed income
• Multi-asset portfolios
• Alternative investments
• Private markets
• Property
• Cash and money markets
• Offshore investments
• Ensure appropriate diversification and optimisation of portfolios within agreed risk parameters.
• Evaluate investment opportunities from both a return and risk perspective.

Investment Research

• Establish and maintain a rigorous investment research framework.
• Ensure investment decisions are supported by robust quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Oversee economic, market, manager, security and asset-class research.
• Encourage independent thinking, intellectual challenge and evidence-based investment decision-making.

Investment Risk and Governance

• Work closely with Risk, Compliance and Executive Management to maintain effective investment governance.
• Ensure investment activities operate within approved mandates, risk limits and governance frameworks.
• Participate in and/or chair relevant Investment Committees.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of portfolio risk, liquidity, concentration, counterparty exposure and market risk.
• Ensure compliance with relevant South African financial services legislation, regulatory requirements and fiduciary responsibilities.

Investment Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop senior investment professionals, portfolio managers, analysts and supporting investment teams.
• Build a performance-driven investment culture characterised by accountability, collaboration and intellectual rigour.
• Attract and retain high-calibre investment talent.
• Establish succession plans and develop future investment leaders.
• Define clear performance objectives for the investment function and its leadership team.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a senior investment spokesperson for the organisation.
• Engage with institutional investors, pension funds, consultants, trustees, boards and other sophisticated investment stakeholders.
• Present investment strategy, positioning, market outlook and portfolio performance to clients and governance structures.
• Support client acquisition, retention and business development initiatives where senior investment leadership is required.
• Strengthen the organisation's reputation and credibility within the investment industry.

Executive and Business Strategy

• Serve as an active member of the Executive Committee.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, growth priorities and long-term business planning.
• Provide investment-related input into product strategy, distribution, client strategy and business development.
• Assess market trends, competitor developments and structural changes affecting the investment management industry.
• Partner with the CEO and executive leadership team on strategic initiatives, acquisitions, partnerships and new market opportunities where relevant.

Key Performance Indicators

Performance will typically be measured against:

• Consistent delivery of competitive risk-adjusted investment performance.
• Performance against agreed benchmarks and investment objectives.
• Effective implementation of the organisation's investment philosophy and strategy.
• Strength and consistency of investment processes.
• Portfolio risk management and governance.
• Client retention and confidence in the investment proposition.
• Development and retention of investment talent.
• Successful development of investment products and capabilities.
• Contribution to assets under management and broader organisational growth.
• Regulatory and governance compliance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Relevant postgraduate degree in Investments, Finance, Economics, Commerce, Financial Mathematics or a related discipline.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Investment Management, Accounting, Actuarial Science or a related field.
• CA(SA) strongly preferred.
• Additional postgraduate qualifications such as an MBA, Master's in Finance, Economics or Investment Management would be advantageous.

Experience

• Approximately 15+ years' professional experience within investment management, asset management, wealth management, institutional investments or a closely related financial services environment.
• Significant experience in senior investment leadership.
• Demonstrated responsibility for investment strategy, portfolio management and/or asset allocation.
• Proven track record of managing substantial investment portfolios or assets under management.
• Extensive experience participating in or leading investment committees.
• Strong understanding of institutional and professional investment markets.
• Experience engaging with boards, trustees, institutional investors and investment consultants.
• Demonstrable success leading and developing senior investment professionals.
• South African investment industry experience is strongly preferred.
• International or offshore investment exposure would be advantageous.

Technical Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate advanced expertise in:

• Investment strategy
• Asset allocation
• Portfolio construction
• Investment research
• Capital markets
• Macroeconomic analysis
• Portfolio and investment risk
• Performance attribution