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Head of Estate Management Job Vacancy at Discovery Life – Apply Now

Discovery Life is hiring a Head of Estate Management to join its Discovery Wills and Trust Services (DWTS) business in South Africa. This senior management opportunity is ideal for an experienced estate administration professional, admitted attorney, or suitably qualified CFP with strong legal and fiduciary experience.

The successful candidate will play a key role in establishing and leading the Estate Management function, developing operational processes, coordinating panel administrators, monitoring deceased estates and testamentary trusts, and ensuring excellent communication with clients, heirs, brokers, and other stakeholders.

Job Details

Company: Discovery Limited
Business Unit: Discovery Life
Department/Function: Management
Job Title: Head of Estate Management
Division: Discovery Wills and Trust Services (DWTS)
Area: Estate and Trust Administration
Job Type: Full-time
Date Posted: 23 July 2026
Location: South Africa

About Discovery

Discovery’s purpose is to make people healthier and enhance and protect their lives. The company is committed to innovation, exceptional customer experiences, and creating meaningful change in society.

Discovery offers employees a dynamic and fast-paced working environment where talented, self-driven individuals can develop their careers while contributing to the organisation’s broader purpose.

About Discovery Wills and Trust Services

Discovery Wills and Trust Services provides wills, trusts, and related estate administration services to individual clients.

The business focuses on customer engagement, quality client experiences, and building strong relationships with brokers and other stakeholders. Employees are expected to provide professional, high-quality services to both internal and external clients while supporting long-term and sustainable relationships.

About the Estate and Trust Administration Division

The Estate and Trust Administration Division is responsible for centralising and professionalising the administration of deceased estates and testamentary trusts.

The division is designed to address the legal, regulatory, operational, and emotional complexities associated with fiduciary administration. Through specialist expertise, strong governance, and scalable operating models, the division aims to reduce legal, compliance, and reputational risks while improving client experience and supporting sustainable business growth.

Head of Estate Management Job Responsibilities

As the Head of Estate Management, you will play a key role in establishing the Estate Administration division and developing its processes, systems, and operating model.

Your responsibilities will include:

Establishing and setting up the Estate Management team and function.
Developing the operating model and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the team’s activities.
Defining and specifying system requirements for the estate administration system.
Working closely with panel administrators responsible for managing deceased estates and testamentary trusts.
Consolidating weekly reports on the progress and status of deceased estates and testamentary trusts.
Monitoring the performance and efficiency of panel administrators.
Providing regular and structured updates to heirs and relevant stakeholders.
Maintaining effective communication with heirs and brokers involved in deceased estates.
Managing relationships between Discovery, clients, heirs, brokers, and panel administrators.
Performing estate and trust administration duties when required as the team and function grow.
Supporting the development and scaling of the internal estate administration function.
Leading the Estate Management team once the function has been fully established.
Managing sensitive client matters with professionalism, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
Handling complaints, escalations, and complex family dynamics effectively.
Ensuring accurate, consistent, and timely reporting throughout the estate administration process.

Requirements for the Head of Estate Management Position

To be considered for this senior Discovery Life opportunity, candidates should have:

At least 5 years of estate administration experience.
Previous experience leading an Estate Management team.
Experience within a trust company, law firm, fiduciary services provider, or bank.
Extensive knowledge of deceased estate administration and trust administration.
A proven track record in the administration of estates.
Strong client relationship management skills.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to work with clients experiencing sensitive and difficult circumstances.
Experience managing complex family dynamics and high-net-worth clients.
Strong complaint resolution and escalation management skills.
The ability to maintain effective and consistent reporting standards.
The ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Qualifications and Professional Registration

Applicants should meet one of the relevant professional and educational requirements, including:

Admitted Attorney with relevant legal qualifications; or
CFP (Certified Financial Planner) with legal qualifications; or
A legal degree combined with extensive and relevant professional experience.

Professional registration or accreditation requirements include relevant registration with:

Law Society, where applicable.
Commissioner of Oaths requirements, where applicable.
FISA (Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa).
FPI (Financial Planning Institute), where applicable.

Advantageous Experience

The following experience would be an added advantage:

Experience establishing and developing a team from the ground up.
Experience setting up new operational functions.
Experience developing SOPs and operating models.
Experience working with estate administration systems.
Experience managing external service providers or panel administrators.
Experience working with deceased estates, testamentary trusts, and fiduciary services.

Key Skills

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

Advanced knowledge of deceased estate administration.
Advanced knowledge of trust administration.
Strong leadership and people management skills.
Excellent client relationship management.
Strong stakeholder engagement capabilities.
Exceptional communication skills.
High emotional intelligence.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Complaint and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
Strong reporting and administration skills.
Ability to work effectively with high-net-worth clients and complex family structures.

Who Should Apply?

This position may be suitable for experienced estate administrators, estate managers, fiduciary professionals, trust administrators, admitted attorneys, legal professionals, and CFP professionals with extensive experience in deceased estate and trust administration.

Candidates who have previously led estate management teams within banks, trust companies, law firms, or fiduciary services providers may be particularly well suited to this opportunity.

Employment Equity

Discovery’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. Discovery is an equal opportunities employer and actively encourages and welcomes applications from people with various disabilities.

How to Apply for the Head of Estate Management Job at Discovery

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should apply through the official Discovery careers platform and follow the application instructions provided for the Head of Estate Management vacancy.

Important: Candidates should ensure that they meet the required estate administration experience, professional qualifications, and leadership requirements before submitting their applications.

Apply Here

Head of Estate Management – Discovery Life