Head of Risk & Compliance

Overview

We are recruiting!

Our client in Johannesburg is looking for a Head of Risk & Compliance to join their team for a job vacancy within the financial industry.

As the Head of Risk and Compliance, you will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of a comprehensive risk management and compliance strategy across the organization. You will be responsible for ensuring that the company adheres to all relevant regulatory frameworks, including the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) regulations and the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) and Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) requirements. You will foster a culture of compliance and governance at all levels of the business, driving proactive risk management, and safeguarding the company’s reputation and regulatory standing

Strategic Leadership & Governance:
Develop and lead the execution of the company-wide risk management and compliance strategy, aligning it with organizational objectives and regulatory expectations.
Serve as the subject matter expert on all matters relating to compliance, risk management, regulatory changes, and corporate governance.
Provide executive leadership and guidance to all business units on risk identification, mitigation, and compliance practices.
Build and lead a high-performing Risk and Compliance team, fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional growth.
Advise the Executive Management and Board of Directors on critical risk and compliance issues, including emerging risks, regulatory developments, and mitigation strategies.
Regulatory & Risk Management Oversight:
Lead the development and maintenance of a comprehensive regulatory universe and a risk-based compliance framework, ensuring that all business units comply with applicable laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
Proactively identify and evaluate enterprise-wide risks, recommending appropriate mitigation strategies to ensure business continuity, legal compliance, and regulatory adherence.
Oversee the integration of Financial Sector Conduct Regulatory Act (FSCA) requirements, ensuring all internal policies, procedures, and controls align with industry standards.
Ensure the FAIS and FICA compliance of all relevant business units, and provide strategic oversight for compliance training, audits, and evaluations.
Provide leadership in handling complex compliance issues, leading internal investigations, and coordinating responses to regulatory inquiries or breaches.
Compliance Culture & Training:
Drive the development and roll-out of training and awareness programs to instil a culture of compliance across the organization.
Ensure all employees are well-informed of their regulatory responsibilities and obligations under the FSCA, FAIS, FICA, and other applicable laws.
Establish and maintain a robust Whistleblower Program, ensuring employees and external stakeholders have a clear and confidential avenue to report unethical behaviour or non-compliance.
Collaborate with senior leadership to promote the integration of compliance and ethical standards into the company’s core values and everyday operations.
Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement:
Provide detailed, accurate, and timely reports on risk management and compliance activities to Executive Management and the Board of Directors, highlighting key compliance challenges, resolutions, and risk mitigation efforts.
Develop and oversee the implementation of the company’s Business Continuity Plans, ensuring effective preparation for crises or disruptions.
Manage relationships with external regulatory bodies, auditors, and compliance partners, ensuring ongoing collaboration and adherence to industry standards.
Management of FAIS Compliance:
Lead the administration and oversight of the company’s FAIS Compliance, including the management of Competence Registers.
Risk & Compliance Monitoring & Audits:
Lead the creation and implementation of Risk and Compliance Monitoring Plans, ensuring ongoing tracking of compliance across all business units.
Conduct and oversee regular internal audits and risk assessments to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and company policies.
Drive continuous improvements in the company’s Risk and Compliance framework, adopting best practices and staying ahead of industry changes and regulations.
Ensuring that Employee Benefits is BBBEE compliant.
Leadership and Organizational Impact:
Act as a strategic advisor to senior management, guiding the company through complex compliance and risk-related decisions.
Collaborate with other departmental heads to integrate risk management processes into everyday operations, ensuring that all functions work cohesively toward compliance goals.
Champion a proactive, results-driven approach to risk management, focusing on protecting the company’s assets, reputation, and long-term sustainability.

KPI’s Change Management: Ability to lead the organization through regulatory changes and business transformation.
Leadership & Team Development: Effective management of teams and fostering a culture of collaboration.
Strategic Thinking: Ability to align risk and compliance strategies with the organization’s objectives.
Stakeholder Engagement: Skilled in managing relationships with external regulators, auditors, and internal teams.
Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills for reports, presentations, and external correspondence.
Ethical Judgement & Integrity: High standard of ethics, integrity, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
Problem Solving: Expertise in resolving complex compliance and risk issues.
Decision Making: Ability to make sound, informed decisions under pressure.
Required Qualifications & Experience:
• A relevant Degree and professional qualifications in operational risk (ideally in Legal, Finance, Risk Management).
• Proven track record of at least 8-10 years in risk and compliance management, with a strong focus on regulatory frameworks such as FSCA, FAIS, and FICA within the financial services or retirement funds industry.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership role, with experience leading cross-functional teams and providing executive-level counsel.
• In-depth knowledge of corporate governance, compliance regulations, and risk management strategies.
Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel.
• Experience in regulatory reporting, internal audits, and stakeholder management.
• Strong understanding of Business Continuity Management and crisis management protocols.
• Excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills