Head of Risk - Africa

Apex Group; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services firm is looking for a Head of Risk-Africa to oversee risk management, ensuring compliance across operations. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in financial services, particularly in risk management and compliance, and possesses strong leadership and analytical skills. Responsibilities include managing risk assessments, promoting a risk-aware culture, and preparing reports for regulatory committees. This role is critical for maintaining a high control environment in a growing business.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in the financial services sector.
• Previous experience in Risk Management, Compliance, or Internal Audit.
• Proven record of providing support and oversight at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Manage risk by identifying, assessing, and reporting on issues.
• Promote a risk-aware culture across the organization.
• Prepare risk reports for committees and boards.

Skills

Experience in the financial services sector

Risk Management expertise

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Leadership in a controlled environment

Strong communication skills

Education

Relevant Qualification in Risk or Compliance

Job description

Job Location : Western Cape, Cape Town Deadline : August 22, 2025 Quick Recommended Links

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Role Summary

• The Head of Risk-Africa is a member of Local Risk Management team under the Risk Function.
• As part of this team, the successful incumbent is responsible for the implementation and compliance within the Apex Risk Management and Framework in their jurisdiction(s).

Key Responsibilities

• Support local senior management / Operations / Risk Function to proactively manage risk by identifying, assessing, and reporting on both risk and controls issues (adequacy and effectiveness). Escalate relevant information of risk matters via agreed governance structure such as Local Risk & Audit Committees (LARC) and reporting to local Boards / LARC (as / if required).
• Develop a risk-aware culture across 1st Line of Defense by establishing / promoting strong governance and culture of “no surprises” ensuring responsibility is taken for concerns / issues raised.
• Work with staff locally to implement Risk Framework initiatives in a proportionate and pragmatic manner, escalating where not fit for purpose or challenges to delivering milestone actions.
• Active stakeholder in Client Acceptance Process, identifying and raising potential risk concerns. Active participant in the Business Review Committee (BRC) and acting as a facilitator to ensure smooth running of meetings, the required governance is followed, and cases are also escalated to the Enhanced Business Review Committee (EBRC) as required.
• Provide oversight / guidance of incident management and perform / complete (as appropriate) Root Cause Analysis for LARCs / local senior management / CRO as relevant share findings with other offices / jurisdictions to ensure collaborative collective Group resolution(s) undertaking targeted control reviews and risk assessments as required.
• Prepare relevant information on risk matters that require escalation via agreed governance structure such as LARCs and Boards.
• Preparation and presentation of materials / risk reports for committees and boards on a regular basis ensuring agreed minimum reporting standards are maintained and matters are effectively escalated as required.
• Facilitate (and as relevant actively participate in) annual and / or trigger Business Risk Assessment (BRA) and Business Impact Assessment (BIA) preparations as required / requested by Country and / or Office Heads in collaboration with Risk Framework team and other local stakeholders including Compliance.
• Collaborate with the Business Continuity risk leads responsible for correct application of Business Continuity Policy / BIA framework locally and to ensure required annual testing is completed and documented.
• Maintain oversight control of Outsourcing arrangements, in line with the relevant Policy and liaise (as appropriate) with relevant Country Heads / Heads of Compliance / Head of Risk Ops & Controls, own escalation of issues as appropriate.
• Influence Operations to execute optimal client service delivery including importance of Ops responsibility as a partner in optimal risk framework / risk management and escalation of KPI’s as required; identify controls / process gaps and contribute to application of adequate control environment.
• Act as an adviser and subject matter expert for Risk Function / Management / Business : (i) understand and assist in Business / Operations / Group requirements & initiatives and assess overall governance impact(s); (ii) understand jurisdictional (inc. regulatory) / product / divisional requirements for optimal procedures, processes & controls.
• Participate in the delivery on an ongoing basis of education and awareness training sessions on risk management in your jurisdiction(s) and the wider business as required.
• Participate in client pitches as required.
• Contribution, where applicable and required, to agreed projects.
• Owning or contributing towards other initiatives (non-project), which supports business objectives and improves way of work.
• Act as back-up of a Head of Risk in other jurisdiction(s) or as appropriate for Head of Local Risk Management.

Key Requirements

• Relevant experience in the financial services sector.
• Previous experience in Risk Management, Compliance or Internal Audit.
• Comprehensive understanding of Risk Management tools and Frameworks and Governance in a Financial Services context.
• Relevant Qualification in Risk or Compliance.
• Strong interpersonal skills, good collaborator, and ability to interact and manage stakeholders at all levels.
• Self-motivated and delivery focused, able to balance the needs of Risk Management goals with those of a growing, commercially focused business.
• Confident and enthusiastic, with a structured approach to work.
• Proven record of providing support, guidance, oversight and challenge at all levels, including senior management, with the ability to adjust communication and influencing skills accordingly.
• Ability to work independently, managing own workload and various deliverables.
• Strong organization skills, dynamism, and motivation to learn and evolve and progress.
• Strong analytical and communication skills with high attention to detail. Ability to manipulate and analyze various data metrics, identifying and escalating trends as required.
• The ability to lead from a position of strong emphasis on controls and the ability to set the tone in a high control culture orientated environment.
• Knowledge and experience of applicable local laws, regulations and business practice is desirable but not essential.