Governance Manager at Santam Insurance

WHAT WILL YOU DO

• The Governance manager will be responsible for designing and leading the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of governance, risk, and compliance frameworks within Kandua (Platform) and SPS (Partnerships). This role will ensure adherence to internal policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices, aligning governance frameworks with the company’s business objectives, risk appetite, and operational processes.

WHAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN THE ROLE
Responsibilities:

• Governance Framework Development and Oversight
• Develop, implement, and enhance governance policies, frameworks, and guidelines
• Establish and maintain governance structures to support decision-making, accountability, and compliance across the organization
• Oversee the establishment and effective functioning of boards, committees, and other governance bodies

Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure the platform and SPS complies with all regulatory, legal, and industry standards, staying updated on relevant regulatory changes
• Develop risk management protocols, identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with business operations
• Oversee internal audits and compliance checks to ensure alignment with established standards

Data Governance and Privacy

• Collaborate with IT and data teams to ensure data governance policies are in place, emphasizing data accuracy, security, and privacy.
• Ensure the company complies with data protection regulations and maintains customer trust and data integrity.

Stakeholder Engagement and Reporting

• Act as a point of contact for regulatory bodies, and other key stakeholders on governance matters.
• Prepare and present regular reports on governance, risk, and compliance activities to executive leadership, boards, and relevant committees.

Policy Development and Enforcement

• Develop and maintain policies for corporate governance, ethical behaviour, and operational compliance.
• Ensure policies are communicated effectively across the organisation, providing training and support as needed.

Culture of Compliance and Ethical Conduct

• Foster a culture of transparency, ethical conduct, and compliance throughout the organization.
• Drive continuous improvement by embedding governance practices into daily operations and promoting accountability at all levels.

Strategic Risk and Opportunity Management

• Align governance and risk management efforts with strategic objectives to identify potential risks and opportunities.
• Contribute to business planning, ensuring governance considerations are factored into growth strategies, product launches, and new initiatives.

Cross-department collaboration

• Work closely with product, IT and data, and operational teams to ensure alignment in achieving business objectives
• Strong working relationship with Santam group Line 2 governance functions

Key performance indicators / Performance Metrics

• Compliance audit scores and regulatory adherence
• Effectiveness of governance structures and frameworks
• Risk management metrics, including risk mitigation rates
• Feedback from stakeholders on governance support and transparency
• Incident management response time and resolution quality

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in business or similar; Master’s degree or professional certification in related field of governance, risk, compliance, regulatory preferred
• At least 6+ years of experience in governance, risk, compliance or regulatory, preferably within financial services or platforms
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks, risk management, and data protection laws relevant to the sector
• Proven track record in establishing and scaling governance frameworks and compliance programs in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills