Head of Compliance and Legal

Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Limited; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider is seeking a Head of Compliance and Legal to oversee regulatory risk management and implement compliance programs. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in compliance, a bachelor's in law, and preferably a master's degree. This position requires strong leadership and excellent communication skills to advise the Board and manage staff effectively.

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified attorney with the right to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.
• A minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience in compliance or legal roles.
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements in the non-life insurance industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Compliance Control Function and conduct risk assessments.
• Provide legal and regulatory advice to the Board and senior management.
• Develop and monitor compliance programs and policies.

Skills

Strategic agility

Communication

Leadership

Problem-solving

Negotiation

Integrity

Business acumen

Resilience

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in law (LLB)

Master's degree in law (LLM)

Job description

Overview

Job title : Head of Compliance and Legal

Job Location : Gauteng, Centurion

Deadline : October 23, 2025

Responsibilities

• Head of Compliance Control Function : Fulfilling the role as the Head of the Compliance Control Function of Momentum Insure. Conducting regular risk assessments to identify potential compliance risks and developing strategies to mitigate these risks. This involves evaluating the company's operations, policies, and procedures to ensure they align with regulatory requirements and industry standards and implementing proactive measures to address identified risks and enhance the overall compliance framework.
• Strategy and advice : Oversee and provide advice to the Board of Directors, Audit and Risk Committee, senior management, and wider business on all legal and regulatory matters, including business decisions, strategic initiatives, and corporate governance.
• Regulatory advice and monitoring : Managing and supporting new regulatory processes and ensuring changes and developments in legislation, regulations, guidelines, and practices are analysed, evaluated, implemented, monitored and reported.
• Developing, implementing and monitoring compliance programs : Creating and maintaining policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure Momentum Insure operates within all applicable laws and regulations.
• Risk management : Identifying and mitigating potential compliance and legal risks to the company. This includes proactive measures like developing and implementing risk management frameworks and reactive ones like effective compliance monitoring and managing litigation and legal disputes.
• Regulatory and industry relationships : Fostering strong relationships with regulators and industry bodies to ensure the company's interests are represented and to stay informed about regulatory changes and industry best practices.
• Regulatory engagements and submissions : Coordinating all regulatory engagements and submissions, ensuring timely and accurate communication with regulatory authorities, and maintaining comprehensive records of all regulatory interactions.
• Reporting : Regularly provide and discuss compliance and legal reports to senior management, the Audit and Risk Committee and the Board of Directors, highlighting compliance, regulatory and legal risks, issues, and recommendations.
• Regulatory complaints management : Overseeing the company’s regulatory (including NFO) complaints management process, ensuring that all complaints are tracked, addressed, and resolved in a timely manner, and identifying trends and major issues to be addressed.
• Regulatory training : Ensuring that compliance, regulatory and legal training is conducted and staff are kept abreast of regulatory developments and requirements.
• Contract management : Overseeing and reviewing the drafting and negotiation of a wide range of legal documents and contracts to protect Momentum Insure's interests.
• Team leadership : Managing, mentoring, and developing the internal compliance, legal and regulatory complaints team, and overseeing the selection and management of external legal and governance third parties (if and when required).
• Budgeting : Developing and managing the department's budget, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Stakeholder engagement : Building trusted advisor relationships with internal and external stakeholders and ensuring they are provided with service excellence.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor's degree in law (LLB) is the minimum requirement.
• A master's degree in law (LLM) or other post-graduate qualification in compliance and / or legal preferred.
• Must be a qualified attorney with the right to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.
• A minimum of 10 years of post-qualification experience, with a significant portion of that time spent in a senior or management role, preferably within a corporate or in-house compliance and / or legal department within the insurance industry and / or regulatory bodies.
• A strong understanding of key relevant regulatory requirements in the non-life insurance industry (Prudential Authority, Financial Sector Conduct Authority, Information Regulator) is essential.
• Reporting Structure : The Head of Compliance and Legal will report directly to the Chief Risk Officer (CRO) of Momentum Insure. This role will also have a dotted line reporting relationship to the Momentum Group Head of Compliance and Legal.

Competencies

• Strategic agility : The ability to align compliance and legal strategy with the company's overall business objectives.
• Communication : Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership : Proven leadership and management skills to motivate a team and drive performance.
• Problem-solving : Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to navigate complex compliance, legal and business issues.
• Negotiation : Impressive negotiation skills to secure the best outcomes for the company.
• Integrity : Unquestionable ethical standards and a commitment to promoting a culture of integrity.
• Business acumen : Strong background in commercial, financial, and insurance law with expertise in overseeing a compliance and / or legal function.
• Resilience : Assertive and resilient, able to work under pressure and handle stress in ways that do not negatively impact others.
• Interpersonal skills : Interpersonally agile and strong at building relationships at all levels.
• Adaptability : Comfortable with change and able to deal with the unexpected.
• Law / Legal jobs