Chief Executive Officer - Financial Services

Global Talent Search; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 4,000,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Talent Search invites an accomplished Chief Executive Officer to steer a leading financial services organisation in South Africa through its next phase of growth, innovation and disciplined execution. Reporting to the Board, you will shape long-term strategy while ensuring robust governance and sustainable performance.

The role requires 15+ years in banking/financial services, with 7+ in senior leadership, MBA/CA/CPA, and a proven track record of leading regulated institutions,

Qualifications

• 15+ years' experience in banking or financial services.
• 7+ years in a senior executive leadership role (CEO/Deputy CEO/Country Head).
• Proven ability to lead regulated financial institutions with strong commercial outcomes.
• Extensive engagement with Boards, regulators and executives.
• Strong understanding of lending, capital, liquidity, risk and governance.

Responsibilities

• Developing and executing the organisation's strategic direction.
• Driving sustainable revenue, profitability and enterprise value growth.
• Leading a high-performing Executive Leadership Team.
• Strengthening governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Building productive relationships with the Board, regulators, shareholders and key stakeholders.
• Championing digital transformation, operational efficiency and customer-focused innovation.
• Developing future leadership capability and fostering a high-performance culture.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance & risk management

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Financial acumen

Education

MBA / CA / CPA

Finance/Banking degree

Job description

A leading and well-established financial services organisation is seeking an accomplished Chief Executive Officer to lead the business through its next phase of strategic growth, innovation and operational excellence.

This is an outstanding opportunity to lead a profitable, regulated financial institution with an experienced executive leadership team, strong market presence and significant opportunities for expansion. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, you will shape the organisation's long-term strategy while ensuring disciplined execution, strong financial performance, sound governance and sustainable growth. The role description emphasises balancing commercial growth with prudent risk management, regulatory compliance and organisational capability.

The Opportunity

You will be responsible for:

• Developing and executing the organisation's strategic direction.
• Driving sustainable revenue, profitability and enterprise value growth.
• Leading a high-performing Executive Leadership Team.
• Strengthening governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Building productive relationships with the Board, regulators, shareholders and key stakeholders.
• Championing digital transformation, operational efficiency and customer-focused innovation.
• Developing future leadership capability and fostering a high-performance culture.

About You

To be successful, you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in Finance, Banking, Commerce, Business, Economics or a related discipline. Postgraduate qualifications such as an MBA, CA, CPA or similar will be highly regarded.
• At least 15 years' experience within banking or financial services, including 7+ years in a senior executive leadership role such as CEO, Deputy CEO or Country Head.
• A proven ability to lead complex, regulated financial institutions while delivering strong commercial outcomes.
• Extensive experience working with Boards, regulators and executive leadership teams.
• Strong commercial acumen across lending, profitability, capital, liquidity, risk and governance.
• A track record of successfully leading strategic change, business transformation and organisational growth.
• Exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.

Ideal Background

Applications are welcomed from senior executives within:

• Tier 2 or 3 Banking
• Savings & Loans
• Asset & Commercial Finance
• Insurance

Experience working within Papua New Guinea, the Pacific, Africa or other emerging markets will be highly regarded, although exceptional international candidates are encouraged to apply.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to lead a respected financial services organisation with a strong platform for future growth. You will have the opportunity to influence strategy, lead meaningful transformation, develop future leaders and create long-term value within a dynamic emerging market environment.