Compliance Manager - Cape Town at Sygnia Asset Management

The Role:

• We are seeking a Compliance Manager to lead the day-to-day execution of compliance activities across the business, with a strong focus on FAIS, POPIA, FICA, CISCA, PPR and Insurance Act requirements. Reporting to the Head of Compliance, this is a hands-on role combining operational oversight with team leadership. The role will manage and develop a team of compliance professionals, drive the implementation of controls, and ensure regulatory requirements are effectively embedded into business processes. Working closely with key stakeholders, you will play an important role in maintaining a strong compliance culture, proactively managing risk, and supporting the business in meeting its regulatory obligations in a practical and commercially sound manner.

The duties and responsibilities of this position include (but are not limited to):

Regulatory Compliance (AML, FICA & CISCA)

• Lead and oversee the implementation and ongoing management of AML, CFT, FICA and CISCA requirements, including customer due diligence (CDD), enhanced due diligence (EDD), transaction monitoring, and regulatory reporting. Experience as a Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO) will be advantageous.
• Compliance Monitoring & Oversight
• Drive the execution of the compliance monitoring plan, including conducting reviews, identifying gaps, tracking findings, and ensuring timely remediation of issues. Escalate material risks and provide clear, actionable insights to stakeholders.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of compliance professionals, fostering a high-performance culture. Oversee work allocation, provide coaching, and ensure consistent delivery of compliance activities aligned to business priorities.
• Compliance Risk & Issue Management
• Proactively identify and assess compliance risks, manage incidents and breaches, and conduct root cause analysis. Oversee the implementation and tracking of corrective actions to mitigate future risk.

Policy Development & Advisory

• Support the development, enhancement, and implementation of compliance policies and frameworks. Provide practical, day-to-day compliance guidance to business stakeholders, enabling informed and risk-aware decision-making.
• Training & Awareness
• Drive compliance awareness across the organisation by designing, coordinating, and delivering training initiatives that promote a strong culture of regulatory adherence.
• Reporting & Governance
• Oversee and review periodic compliance reporting across all divisions. Support the Head of Compliance in preparing high-quality reports for Audit & Risk Committees and Board-level engagements.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Law, Compliance, Risk, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a compliance role within financial services
• Proven practical experience in AML, FICA and CISCA implementation
• Experience as a Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO) will be advantageous

Core Competencies:

• Strong working knowledge of FAIS, FICA, CISCA and the Insurance Act
• Practical, hands-on approach to compliance with the ability to translate regulation into business processes
• Proven ability to lead, manage and develop a compliance team
• Strong organisational, communication and execution skills, with a high level of accountability
• High ethical standards with strong attention to detail and risk awareness