Head Compliance Transformation

REQ ID: 147353 - Michelle Thabethe

Location: Sandton

Cluster: Group Compliance

Closing date: 26 August 2026

Human Resources

Employee Relations Employment Equity And Transformation

Manage Self: Expert

Lead the strategic transformation of the Compliance function to create a future-ready intelligence-led AI-enabled compliance capability while improving efficiency effectiveness and business partnership.
The role is responsible for designing and executing the Compliance Transformation Strategy driving the adoption of emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence modernising compliance operating models and enhancing capabilities.

The Head of Compliance Transformation serves as a strategic advisor to the GCCO and Compliance Executive Team on the future direction of the function.

1. Compliance Transformation Strategy

• Develop and execute a multi-year Compliance Transformation Strategy aligned to business risk regulatory and technology objectives.
• Drive continuous improvement across compliance processes controls governance and service delivery.
• Identify opportunities to simplify standardise automate and optimise compliance activities.
• Establish transformation governance milestones benefits realisation and value measurement frameworks.

1. Future Compliance Operating Model

• Evaluate the centralisation hub-and-spoke utility and centre-of-excellence models.
• Design a future-fit compliance operating model.
• Define the optimal balance between human expertise and technology-enabled compliance activities.
• Drive role redesign (where necessary) and workforce transformation initiatives.

1. Capability Building and Workforce of the Future

• Assist in the development of the Compliance Future Skills Framework.
• Build capability in AI data literacy digital fluency regulatory intelligence and innovation.
• Identify future talent requirements and succession pipelines.
• Identify learning and development opportunities to support workforce transformation

1. AI and Emerging Technology Enablement

• Lead the development and implementation of an AI-enabled Compliance Function.
• Identify and prioritise use cases for Generative AI predictive analytics machine learning and intelligent automation.
• Partner with technology data risk and business teams to scale AI solutions.
• Ensure all AI adoption complies with applicable regulatory ethical privacy and responsible AI requirements.
• Establish governance frameworks for AI use within Compliance.
• Drive the effective use of digital assistants regulatory intelligence platforms workflow tools and advanced analytics.

1. Data Analytics and Compliance Intelligence

• Enhance the use of data analytics and insights across Compliance.
• Drive development of compliance intelligence and management information capabilities.
• Promote data-driven decision-making across the function.
• Collaborate with enterprise data teams to improve compliance data quality availability and governance.

1. Change Management and Adoption

• Lead organisational change initiatives associated with compliance transformation.
• Develop strategies to drive adoption of new technologies processes and ways of working.
• Build strong stakeholder engagement across Business Risk Technology and HR.
• Embed a culture of innovation experimentation and continuous learning within Compliance.

1. Strategic Partnerships

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the Compliance function in industry forums relating to compliance innovation regulatory technology and AI.

• Compliance Transformation Strategy.
• AI-Enabled Compliance Roadmap.
• Future Compliance Operating Model.
• Compliance Future Skills Framework.
• Compliance Technology and Automation Pipeline.
• Regulatory Intelligence Framework.
• Compliance Data and Analytics Strategy.
• Change Management and Adoption Plan.

• Bachelors degree in law Commerce Finance Technology Data Science Engineering Business or related field.

• Post graduate Degree (Data Science Technology or equivalent).

• Professional certifications in Change Management Agile AI Governance Project Management or Digital Transformation.

• 7-10 years experience in financial services compliance risk transformation strategy or technology leadership roles.
• Experience leading large-scale transformation programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in digital transformation AI automation or data-led initiatives.
• Experience engaging executive committees and senior stakeholders.

Strategic Leadership

• Strategic thinking
• Vision setting
• Systems thinking
• Future orientation

Transformation and Innovation

• Digital transformation
• Innovation leadership
• Design thinking
• Continuous improvement

Technology and Data

• AI literacy
• Data analytics
• Digital fluency
• Technology enablement

Risk and Regulatory Insight

• Regulatory awareness
• Risk management

Change Leadership

• Stakeholder management
• Influencing skills
• Resilience
• Organisational change management

Commercial and Business Acumen

• Value creation
• Performance management
• Resource optimisation
• Financial acumen

• Establishing strategic direction
• Leading Change
• High-Impact Communication
• Courage
• Customer Focus
• 360 Decision Making
• Cultivating networks and partnerships
• Driving Execution
• Inspiring Excellence