Senior Legal Advisor - Regulatory Compliance

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical aid

Retirement fund contribution

Remote work equipment provided

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Legal Advisor specializing in Regulatory Compliance for a fully remote role serving clients nationwide from Pretoria. The position requires deep knowledge of South African financial services legislation and strong risk management.

The ideal candidate will ensure ongoing compliance with FAIS, FICA, POPIA, Banks Act, and other regulations, lead policy development, audits, and regulatory filings while providing clear guidance to business units from a remote Gauteng

Qualifications

• Admitted SA attorney with strong regulatory compliance background in financial services.
• Proven ability to develop and implement compliance programs and policies.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain compliance policies and procedures for financial regulations (FAIS, FICA, POPIA).
• Conduct compliance risk assessments and audits to identify non-compliance.
• Advise business units on regulatory requirements for new products and services.
• Monitor legislation and regulatory guidance and advise on necessary changes.
• Manage regulatory filings and reporting with authorities.
• Investigate compliance breaches and recommend corrective actions.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Legal research

Risk management

Regulatory communications

Attention to detail

Education

Admitted Attorney (SA)

Tools

Legal research tools

Compliance software

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly growing financial services institution with operations spanning across South Africa, is looking for a highly motivated and detail-oriented Senior Legal Advisor specializing in Regulatory Compliance. Based in Pretoria , this role is crucial for ensuring the company adheres to the complex and evolving regulatory landscape governing the financial sector. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of financial services legislation, compliance frameworks, and risk management principles. This is a fully remote position, offering significant flexibility and the opportunity to contribute to a key function within a forward-thinking organization, serving clients nationwide from their base in Gauteng .

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain robust compliance policies and procedures to ensure adherence to all relevant financial services regulations (e.g., FAIS, FICA, POPIA).
• Conduct regular compliance risk assessments and audits to identify potential areas of non-compliance.
• Advise business units on regulatory requirements and best practices for new products and services.
• Monitor changes in legislation and regulatory guidance, assessing their impact on the business and recommending necessary adjustments.
• Manage regulatory filings and reporting requirements with relevant authorities.
• Investigate and resolve compliance breaches, recommending corrective actions and preventative measures.
• Develop and deliver compliance training programs to employees across the organization.
• Act as a key point of contact for regulatory bodies and external auditors.
• Contribute to the development of the company's overall risk management strategy.
• Ensure the company's operations remain compliant with data protection regulations.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa or a qualified professional with a strong legal background and at least 5-7 years of experience in regulatory compliance, specifically within the financial services sector.
• In-depth knowledge of South African financial services legislation (e.g., Banks Act, FAIS Act, FICA, CISCA, POPIA).
• Proven experience in developing and implementing compliance programs and policies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent understanding of risk management principles in a regulated environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex regulatory issues clearly.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines in a remote setting.
• Experience in conducting internal investigations and managing regulatory inquiries.
• Proficiency in legal research and compliance management tools.
• High level of integrity and discretion.

Benefits

• This role offers a competitive salary package, along with performance-based incentives. Our client provides comprehensive private medical aid, a generous retirement fund contribution, and support for continuous professional development.
• As this is a fully remote position, employees enjoy significant flexibility in their work arrangements, eliminating the need for daily commutes.
• The company fosters a culture of learning and innovation, with excellent opportunities for career advancement within the financial services sector.
• All necessary remote work equipment and support will be provided for this role based out of Pretoria .