Risk and Compliance Manager

Optimized People; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimized People seeks a Risk and Compliance Manager to lead the development and maintenance of the firm’s risk and governance framework. You will work with cross‑functional teams to implement compliance initiatives, update onboarding and conflict processes, and oversee teams ensuring policy adherence.

The role requires extensive AML/KYC/FICA experience, strong Microsoft Office skills, and a proven track record in law firm risk and compliance.

Qualifications

• Matric/Grade 12 completed.
• 10–15 years AML/KYC/FICA experience.
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Adobe Pro.
• Experience managing teams in a professional services environment.
• Risk and compliance experience in a law firm.

Responsibilities

• Report to CEO and contribute to a risk governance framework.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement compliance initiatives and address risks.
• Collaborate with legal teams to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and ethics.
• Update onboarding and conflict processes and manage teams delivering these processes.
• Stay updated on significant legal developments including FICA, POPIA and related regulations.
• Maintain and prioritise the firm’s risk register with mitigation steps and controls.
• Provide diagnostic and advisory support on risk and compliance issues for the firm.
• Advise on client and supplier engagements including engagement letters and supplier terms.
• Investigate non-compliance and report deviations to authorities when required.
• Design and deliver e-learning training to foster awareness and accountability.
• Draft, implement and monitor firm-wide manuals, policies and procedures on ethics and risk.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

MS PowerPoint

Communication skills

Discretion

Time management

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Stress tolerance

Education

Matric/Grade 12

Tools

AJS account system

Document management systems

Adobe Acrobat Pro

MS Office Suite

Job description

About the job Risk and Compliance Manager

Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for reporting to the CEO by providing input into the development of an effective risk management & governance framework.
• Responsible for collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement compliance initiatives and address identified risks.
• Responsible for collaborating with legal teams to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and ethical standards.
• Responsible for updating and managing the onboarding and conflict processes and managing the teams who carry out these processes to ensure adherence to internal policies and external regulations.
• Responsible for keeping abreast of significant legal developments and new legislation or regulation (including Financial Intelligence Act ("FICA"), Protection of Personal Information Act ("POPI") and Attorneys Act & Rules.
• Implementation and maintenance of the firms risk register (identifying and prioritising risks, mitigation steps and putting controls in place).
• Provide a diagnostic and advisory service to the firm (legal and non-legal) on risk and compliance issues.
• Advising on client and supplier engagements, including engagement letters, supplier agreements and terms of business.
• Investigating all non-compliance from applicable rules of professional conduct, ensuring that these deviations are reported to the relevant disciplinary authorities if required.
• Designing and implementing e-learning training and providing on-going training to the firm to foster a culture of awareness and accountability.
• Drafting, implementing, maintaining, and monitoring firm-wide manuals, policies (Anti-Bribery & Corruption, Conflicts of Interest, Gifts & Hospitality, Outside Directorships, Procurement, Media Communication and Crisis Management, Insider Trading, Whistleblowing, HR policy suite, Code of Conduct, Data Privacy, AI usage, IT/Data security risk policies), procedures and practical guidelines as these pertain to ethical conduct, compliance, and risk management practices.
• Conducted periodic compliance reviews and audits to assess the effectiveness of existing processes and identify areas for improvement.

Education and experience

• Matric/Grade 12
• At least 10-15 years experience in the client AML/KYC/FICA process is essential
• Computer literate and proficient in the use of MS software particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint as well as Adobe ProExperience managing databases
• Minimum 5 years proven track record of successfully managing teams that provide support in a professional services environment
• Risk and compliance experience in a law firm
• Good understanding the risk-based approach to client due diligence
• Proficiency with outlook, MS Word and an in-depth knowledge of Excel
• Experience working on the AJS account system and document management systems would be advantageous
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Good telephone and email etiquette
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality
• Prioritising and organising skills
• Tenacity and high stress tolerance
• A meticulous attention to detail
• Structured delivery approach
• Integrity: honest and strong ethics
• Dependable and assertive
• Adaptable and flexible
• Time management and problem-solving skills essential