Senior Operational Risk Manager

Frogg Recruitment; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services firm in Johannesburg is seeking a Senior Operational Risk Manager to lead the design and implementation of operational risk frameworks. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, extensive experience in the investment industry, and capabilities in regulatory compliance. Key responsibilities include oversight of risk identification and monitoring, incident management, and advising on compliance obligations. This role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in the investment and savings industry.
• Proven application of operational risk methodologies.
• Familiarity with investment and savings industry practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance operational risk frameworks and tools.
• Oversee incident logging, investigation, and reporting.
• Review investment agreements from a risk and compliance perspective.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Project management experience

Ability to influence at senior levels

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in law, finance, or related field

Relevant postgraduate qualification

Job description

Senior Operational Risk Manager required in Johannesburg.

Our financial services client seeks an Operational Risk Manager with strong experience in financial services / investment / savings.

The role will lead the design, implementation and continuous improvement of the firm’s operational risk and compliance framework across investment and operations, with Regulatory compliance, etc.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in law, finance, or a related field
• Relevant postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Professional certifications in risk, compliance or investments are beneficial.
• At least 5 years’ experience in the investment and savings industry, ideally within asset management, investment administration, pension fund administration or similar.
• Proven application of operational risk methodologies in an investment/asset management context (e.g., RCSA, incident management, control testing, KRIs).
• Experience reviewing investment management agreements, fund documentation and outsourcing/service provider contracts from a risk and compliance perspective (without providing legal advice).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of producing clear reports and presenting to senior stakeholders and committees.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability with keen attention to detail.
• Highly organised, self-driven and results-oriented, able to manage multiple priorities.
• Project management experience, including leading or supporting regulatory, remediation or change initiatives.
• Ability to influence and constructively challenge at senior levels, including Exco, Risk Committee and Board sub-committees.
• Familiarity with investment and savings industry practices, operating models and professional standards
• Regulatory knowledge and practical exposure required (POPIA, FAIS, FIC Act, CISCA, Pension Funds Act, FSCA conduct standards, NCA, etc.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Compliance, legislation and governance: interpret and embed applicable laws and standards; advise business on compliance obligations.
• Operational risk framework and tools: develop, implement and enhance RCSA, control testing, KRIs and related tools; ensure effective risk identification and monitoring.
• Incident, breach and issue management: oversee incident logging, investigation, remediation and reporting; drive root-cause analysis and control improvements.
• Legal and contract risk: review investment agreements, fund documentation and outsourcing contracts from a risk and compliance lens (no legal opinions).
• Third-party, outsourcing and operational due diligence: assess and monitor service providers, oversee onboarding and ongoing oversight, and manage related risks.
• Policy environment: maintain and govern the policy and standards suite; coordinate updates and training.
• Governance, reporting and risk culture: prepare high-quality reports and MI for Exco, Risk Committee and Board sub-committees; champion a strong risk culture across the organisation.