Compliance Manager (Financial Services)

Job Description

Title

Compliance Manager

Client Summary

Our client is a dynamic and rapidly evolving organization operating at the forefront of the South African financial ecosystem. They are deeply committed to serving a broad customer base focusing particularly on transactional banking solutions and related essential financial products for everyday consumers. This environment demands a pragmatic business-minded approach to compliance where strategic governance meets operational reality. They pride themselves on a culture that values agility direct engagement and making a tangible impact on their operational effectiveness.

Job Description

Are you a seasoned Compliance professional ready to step into a role where your influence is immediate and your approach matters This is a pivotal opportunity to work within a high-impact division of a leading financial services group.

You will be instrumental in designing driving and maintaining a fit-for-purpose compliance monitoring program directly challenging first-line processes to ensure robust adherence to all regulatory mandates internal policies and industry best practices. This role offers a unique blend of strategic oversight at the executive level and the essential requirement to engage directly on the ground - visiting operations coaching teams and translating complex regulatory requirements into practical relatable actions.

If you thrive when balancing strategic governance with hands-on problem-solving and you are passionate about embedding a strong risk culture in a fast-paced less hierarchical environment this position offers significant professional impact and growth potential.

Responsibilities

• Drive Monitoring Strategy: Develop implement and continuously maintain a robust compliance monitoring program aligned with evolving regulatory frameworks and internal governance.
• Operational Assurance: Conduct regular in-depth reviews and assessments of business processes and systems to proactively identify compliance risks and measure control effectiveness.
• Investigative Oversight: Lead investigations into potential compliance breaches or irregularities documenting findings meticulously and recommending practical business-aligned remediation solutions.
• Stakeholder Partnership: Act as a trusted advisor and collaborative partner to the business (first line) ensuring compliance requirements are integrated effectively and fostering a strong culture of risk awareness across all levels.
• Executive Reporting: Produce high-quality insightful reports for senior management and Executive Committees clearly articulating review outcomes material risks and the effectiveness of remediation efforts.
• Regulatory Foresight: Proactively monitor changes in the regulatory landscape and provide timely practical compliance guidance to business partners to ensure forward-looking risk mitigation.
• Field Engagement: Commit to regular physical engagement with frontline operations and area management to ensure buy-in and practical application of compliance standards.
• Support Assurance Activities: Facilitate regulatory inspections and contribute significantly to combined assurance activities across the Group.

Requirements

• A legal risk or compliance related degree or equivalent qualification
• At least 5 years dedicated experience in a compliance role within the financial services sector preferably banking fintech or payments
• Proven ability to operate comfortably at both strategic executive level and operational frontline level
• Strong stakeholder management capability with a track record of building credibility and securing buy in across different levels of the organisation
• Highly analytical and detail oriented with the ability to solve problems effectively under pressure
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to translate complex compliance concepts into clear practical business language
• A pragmatic business minded approach to compliance that focuses on practical workable solutions
• Ability to work independently with high levels of self motivation and proactivity

• CISA membership or an equivalent professional certification