Head of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

Placements24; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Retirement annuity

Annual leave (generous)

Training & development (external)

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking an experienced Head of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs to lead and shape the compliance framework across the organization.

You will partner with senior management, legal, and internal audit to address regulatory changes, drive risk mitigation, and promote an ethical culture in a complex financial services environment.

Qualifications

• Law degree with specialization in financial services regulation.
• 10+ years of experience in compliance/regulatory roles.
• Deep knowledge of South African financial regulations (FAIS, FICA, POPIA, Companies Act).
• Proven track record in developing and implementing compliance policies.
• Strong leadership with the ability to influence across all levels.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing relationships with regulatory bodies.
• Ability to operate in a dynamic regulatory environment.
• Pretoria financial hub experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance program across all units.
• Interpret and advise on impact of new and existing financial regulations.
• Oversee regulatory reporting requirements.
• Conduct regular compliance risk assessments and mitigation.
• Develop and deliver compliance training for all employees.
• Manage regulatory examinations and audits.
• Investigate and resolve compliance breaches and misconduct.
• Liaise with authorities such as FSCA and SARB.
• Advise senior management on regulatory trends.
• Foster a strong compliance culture.

Job description

About the Role

A prominent financial services group based in Pretoria is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs. This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing all compliance functions and ensuring adherence to the complex regulatory landscape governing the financial sector in South Africa. You will develop and implement robust compliance frameworks, policies, and procedures to mitigate risk and maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of financial regulations, exceptional leadership capabilities, and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential compliance issues. This critical position requires close collaboration with senior management, legal teams, internal audit, and regulatory bodies. Our client is committed to upholding regulatory integrity and seeks a leader who can champion these values throughout the organization in Pretoria .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance program across all business units.
• Interpret and advise on the impact of new and existing financial regulations (e.g., FAIS, FICA, POPIA, Companies Act).
• Oversee the establishment and execution of regulatory reporting requirements.
• Conduct regular compliance risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.
• Develop and deliver compliance training programs for all employees.
• Manage and coordinate regulatory examinations and audits.
• Investigate and resolve compliance breaches and misconduct allegations.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, including the FSCA, SARB, and others.
• Advise senior management on compliance-related matters and emerging regulatory trends.
• Foster a strong compliance culture throughout the organization.

Requirements

• Law degree or equivalent qualification, with a specialization in financial services regulation.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in compliance, legal, or regulatory roles within the financial services industry.
• In-depth knowledge of South African financial services legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing compliance policies and procedures.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to influence across all levels.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Experience in managing relationships with regulatory bodies.
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and complex regulatory environment.
• Previous experience within the Pretoria financial hub is highly advantageous.

Benefits

This leadership position comes with a highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus. Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare, a substantial retirement annuity, and generous annual leave. Opportunities for continuous professional development, including external training and conference participation, are provided. The hybrid work model offers a balance between in-office collaboration in Pretoria and remote flexibility. Employees are part of a strong corporate culture that values integrity and professional excellence. Access to cutting-edge compliance management systems and resources is included. This is a key role for an experienced professional in the financial regulatory space.