Head of Compliance - iGaming & Sports Betting

Initiate International; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 500,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading iGaming brand in South Africa is seeking a Head of Operations & Compliance. This critical leadership role will ensure operational delivery and regulatory governance. Responsibilities include overseeing compliance frameworks, leading cross-functional teams, and driving growth in a regulated industry. Candidates must have substantial experience in operations and compliance, strong stakeholder management skills, and a degree in a related discipline. Attractive executive-level package offered.

Benefits

Executive-level salary

Performance incentives

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven track record in senior operations/compliance leadership within iGaming or regulated industry.
• Strong operational management skills with experience in cross-functional leadership.
• Outstanding stakeholder management skills influencing at board and regulator level.

Responsibilities

• Design and oversee operational frameworks ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Lead and improve operational processes across customer service and risk management.
• Develop risk management frameworks and monitor compliance with regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Compliance management

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Law, Business, or Risk Management

Tools

Compliance monitoring systems

Risk management tools

Job description

Overview

Our client, a rapidly expanding brand in the iGaming and Sports Betting industry, is seeking an accomplished Head of Operations & Compliance to take ownership of operational delivery and regulatory governance.

This is a critical leadership position that will shape the business operational backbone, ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and drive scalable growth in a highly regulated industry.

The Head of Operations & Compliance will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing operational frameworks while ensuring the business maintains full compliance with all regulatory requirements. Reporting directly to the C-suite, you will have both a strategic and hands-on role, balancing commercial agility with strict governance.

You will lead cross-functional teams spanning customer support, payments, risk, AML/KYC, and compliance, ensuring that day-to-day operations run smoothly while meeting the highest standards of efficiency and integrity. Beyond maintaining compliance, your role will involve future-proofing the business for scale anticipating regulatory changes, embedding risk frameworks, and building operational resilience.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Strategy

• Design, implement, and continuously improve operational processes that ensure scalability, efficiency, and resilience.
• Oversee daily operations across customer service, payments, fraud prevention, and product delivery, ensuring seamless execution.
• Establish and track KPIs that measure service levels, customer satisfaction, operational costs, and efficiency gains.
• Collaborate with technology and product teams to ensure systems are reliable, secure, and optimised for user experience.
• Lead change management initiatives to support new product rollouts, jurisdictional launches, or regulatory requirements.

Compliance, Licensing & Governance

• Take ownership of all compliance frameworks, including licensing obligations, AML/KYC procedures, GDPR/data protection, and responsible gaming requirements.
• Manage relationships with regulators, auditors, and external legal advisors, ensuring timely communication and adherence to licensing obligations.
• Ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions (South Africa, wider Africa, Europe, and other target markets), adapting internal processes to evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Regularly review and update compliance policies, ensuring they reflect changes in legislation, industry standards, and business expansion.
• Implement comprehensive training programs for all staff on compliance, responsible gaming, and regulatory awareness.

Risk Management & Controls

• Develop and enforce robust risk management frameworks, identifying and mitigating operational, financial, and compliance risks.
• Oversee monitoring systems to detect fraudulent activity, suspicious transactions, and breaches of compliance.
• Ensure clear escalation procedures for compliance breaches and operational incidents, maintaining transparency with the executive team.
• Build governance processes that provide senior leadership with visibility on compliance, risk, and operational performance.

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and mentor operational and compliance teams, building a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, board, and executive leadership on all matters relating to operations, risk, and compliance.
• Work cross-functionally with finance, product, technology, and commercial teams to ensure compliance is embedded into all decision-making.
• Represent the company in discussions with regulators, external stakeholders, and industry associations.

What Our Client Is Looking For:

• Proven track record in a senior operations and/or compliance leadership role within iGaming, sports betting, fintech, or another highly regulated industry.
• Deep expertise in compliance frameworks, including AML, KYC, GDPR/data protection, and responsible gaming.
• Strong operational management skills, with experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering efficiency at scale.
• Commercially sharp, with the ability to balance business growth objectives with regulatory obligations.
• Outstanding stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing at board and regulator level.
• Resilient, pragmatic, and solutions-focused able to thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Law, Business, Risk Management, or related discipline (postgraduate qualification advantageous).
• 810 years of experience in operations and compliance, with at least 35 years in a leadership role within a regulated industry.
• Strong knowledge of iGaming regulations in South Africa and/or international markets is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with compliance monitoring systems, risk management tools, and reporting frameworks.

Why Join Our Client?

• Strategic Leadership: Influence operations and compliance at the highest level, directly impacting the companys growth trajectory.
• Industry Growth: Be part of a sector experiencing rapid expansion across Africa and globally.
• Global Exposure: Manage compliance frameworks across multiple jurisdictions, working with regulators and partners worldwide.
• Career Progression: Opportunity to progress into Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), or Managing Director roles as the business scales.
• Attractive Rewards: Executive-level package with competitive base salary, performance incentives, and benefits.

This is a rare opportunity to lead operations and compliance for a fast-scaling iGaming and Sports Betting brand, ensuring the business runs efficiently while meeting the highest regulatory standards.

Apply today and take ownership of operational delivery and compliance strategy with our client.