Senior Manager – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Internal Audit (Gauteng) at BDO South Africa

ROLE PURPOSE

• The Senior Manager will lead and deliver governance, risk, compliance, and internal audit (GRC & IA) engagements with a specialisation in the Financial Services sector (banking, insurance, asset management, fintech). The role requires deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks, risk management, and assurance practices within FS, alongside the ability to work across industries where required. Candidates with professional services advisory experience will be strongly considered, while those with industry-side expertise in financial services risk and compliance are also highly valued.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Delivery & Engagement Management

• Lead GRC & IA assignments for FS clients (banks, insurers, fintechs, investment firms), ensuring alignment with regulatory and industry best practice.
• Design, review, and implement FS-specific risk management frameworks, compliance programs, and governance structures.
• Deliver internal audit services across credit risk, market risk, operational risk, conduct, compliance, IT risk, and ESG.
• Conduct regulatory compliance reviews (e.g., FSCA, SARB, Basel III/IV, Solvency II, IFRS 9/17, AML/CFT, Twin Peaks).
• Provide clients with strategic insights into emerging FS risks (cyber, climate, AI/digital disruption, regulatory change).
• Ensure work is delivered in line with IIA Standards, ISAE, King IV, and relevant FS regulatory frameworks.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, mentor, and coach FS-focused teams of managers, seniors, and trainees.
• Build subject matter expertise in financial services risk, audit, and compliance across the team.
• Promote a collaborative and high-performance culture.

Business Development

• Support partners in growing the FS advisory portfolio.
• Lead FS-specific proposals, RFP responses, and pitch presentations.
• Build deep client relationships with FS boards, audit committees, risk committees, and C-Suite executives.
• Contribute to thought leadership in FS regulation, risk management, and governance trends.

Quality & Risk Management

• Act as engagement quality reviewer on complex FS audits and compliance assignments.
• Ensure compliance with firm and regulatory risk management standards.
• Champion innovation in FS risk/audit delivery, including RegTech, AI-driven analytics, and digital audit tools.

Requirements
KEY COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Strong technical knowledge of FS regulatory frameworks, governance, and risk management.
• Expertise in risk-based auditing across FS domains (credit, liquidity, capital, compliance, conduct, ESG, IT risk).
• Excellent communication and boardroom presence with FS stakeholders.
• Commercial acumen with ability to translate regulatory risk into business strategy.
• Leadership and mentoring ability within specialist FS teams.
• Ability to manage large, complex FS client portfolios.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• CA(SA), CIA, CISA, CRMA, CFA or equivalent professional designation.
• 8–10 years’ experience in FS-focused governance, risk, compliance, and internal audit.
• Prior experience in professional services/advisory firms (Big 4 / mid-tier) highly advantageous.
• Industry experience in FS institutions (banking, insurance, fintech, asset management) also valued.
• Proven ability to manage FS clients at C-Suite and board level.
• Familiarity with regulatory and governance frameworks (e.g., Basel III/IV, Solvency II, IFRS 9/17, FSCA/SARB requirements, King IV, AML, ESG).
• Exposure to technology risk, RegTech, AI/digital solutions in FS (advantageous).

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

• Quality and impact of FS client deliverables.
• Growth of FS client portfolio and revenue contribution.
• Client satisfaction at board, audit, and risk committee level.
• Effective leadership and team capability-building in FS specialism.
• Compliance with firm’s quality and regulatory standards.
• Contribution to innovation and FS thought leadership.