Head of Compliance, Risk and Regulatory Affairs

The Head of Compliance, Risk and Regulatory Affairs with our client is responsible for leading and overseeing all compliance, risk and regulatory aspects across the group. The role ensures that our client operates within the applicable legal and regulatory frameworks in all jurisdictions, proactively managing risks within our clients appetite and maintaining the highest standards of compliance governance. This role will lead our clients compliance and risk team and be the primary compliance and regulatory lead on several confidential projects, including playing a leading role in both national and international licensing applications / acquisitions. Ensuring full regulatory alignment across all business units and new product launches.

The successful candidate will be expected to work flexibly and responsively to meet the fast-evolving needs of the business, providing clear, commercially aligned compliance and risk advice at pace.

Job Type : Full time / Permanent

Location : South Africa

Workplace : Hybrid

Reporting To : Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Requirements

• A Bachelors degree in Law, Finance, Compliance, or a related field is required.
• A Masters degree (LLM, MBA) or certification in financial regulatory compliance is highly advantageous.
• Professional certifications such as CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) or ICA Compliance Certification are preferred.
• 10+ years of compliance experience, ideally within financial services, payments, fintech, or banking.
• Strong background in financial compliance, regulatory risk management, and AML / KYC regulations.
• Proven experience in leading regulatory submissions, such as license applications, preferably at national and international levels
• Experience in managing confidential and high-stakes compliance projects.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with regulators, auditors, and legal teams.
• Strong communication skills to translate complex compliance issues into clear, actionable guidance.
• Must be highly adaptive to fast-changing compliance and regulatory landscapes.
• Ability to work flexibly (including outside standard hours where needed) while maintaining a strong work-life balance.
• Proactively identifies compliance risks and provides rapid regulatory guidance to enable quick decision-making.
• A driven and entrepreneurial mindset, capable of working at the cutting edge of fintech compliance.
• Passionate about helping scale a fast-growing business, providing strategic compliance leadership.
• Resilient under pressure, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities without compromising quality.
• Strong commercial awareness, ensuring compliance strategy aligns with business objectives.
• Able to balance risk management with business appetite and enablement, ensuring clarity and compliance without unnecessary delays.
• An innovative problem-solver who thinks beyond traditional compliance constraints to drive business success.
• A clear and confident communicator, capable of distilling complex regulatory issues into practical, actionable advice.
• Strong ability to build relationships across departments, working closely with leadership, legal, and operations teams.
• Experience leading and mentoring compliance teams in a high-growth, fast-moving environment.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused compliance mindset, balancing risk with business objectives.
• Committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in all compliance and business dealings.
• A collaborative team player who leads by example to ensure compliance should enable, not obstruct, business growth.

Responsibilities

Regulatory & Compliance Leadership

Confidential Projects & Strategic Compliance Initiatives

Risk Management & Monitoring

Internal Compliance, Governance and Risk Frameworks

Regulatory Affairs, Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

Team Leadership & Compliance Culture