Head of Governance Legal Risk and Compliance at Old Mutual

Job Description

• We are looking for a dynamic and experienced governance leader to head our Governance, Risk, Legal, and Compliance (GRLC) function. This role is critical in strengthening our operating model, ensuring robust oversight, and enabling strategic execution through strong frameworks and controls.
• The role will be responsible for facilitating, co-ordinating and overseeing all regulatory adherence and implementation, enterprise risk management and legal and compliance related responsibilities of Symmetry.

The role includes the following responsibilities:

Governance & Reporting

• Oversee implementation and continuous enhancement of governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
• Engage with group functions, internal/external auditors, and relevant stakeholders.
• Draft management and board reports; act as liaison with company secretary and internal board members.

Legal Oversight

• Identify and manage legal risks across the business.
• Review a wide range of operational and strategic contracts.
• Own the contracts register, execution and compliance tracking processes.
• Provide legal input on business initiatives, projects, and regulatory changes.
• Maintain strong engagement with internal legal counsel and manage legal stakeholder relationships.

Regulatory Compliance

• Serve as subject matter expert on FAIS, CISCA, AML, data privacy, and other key regulations.
• Translate regulatory changes into practical guidance and implementation support.
• Maintain registers, review business documentation, and support compliance culture across teams.
• Represent the function in relevant compliance forums.

Risk Management

• Develop and embed risk policies, frameworks, and monitoring processes.
• Partner with risk owners to assess risks, structure mitigations, and track controls.
• Provide risk reporting to management and the board.
• Lead root cause analyses and culture-building in risk awareness.

Strategic Projects & Due Diligence

• Lead or support key regulatory, strategic, and operational implementation initiatives.
• Manage due diligence processes for shareholders and service providers.
• These responsibilities offer an overview of the role and are not confined or restricted solely to what is listed.

Qualifications and Experience required:

• Proven track record in senior governance, legal, or compliance roles within financial services, preferably asset management.
• LLB (preferred), CPrac(SA).
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks (local and international), including FAIS, FICA, POPIA, CISCA and others.
• Commercial mindset with the ability to balance risk management and business enablement.
• Strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity, driving structure and accountability.

Skills

• Adaptive Thinking, Change Management, Client Management, Computer Literacy, Data Compilation, Executing Plans, Legal Practices, Management Accounting, Numerical Aptitude, Oral Communications, Policies & Procedures, Presenting Solutions, Professional Presentation, Servant Leadership, Writing

Competencies

• Builds Effective Teams
• Business Insight
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Ensures Accountability
• Instills Trust
• Manages Ambiguity
• Manages Complexity

Education

• NQF Level 8 - Honours or Postgraduate Diploma or equivalent

Closing Date

• 11 September 2025