Chief Risk Officer (CRO) - ZA

Job Title:                     Chief Risk Officer (CRO) - ZA

Industry:                      Banking

Location:                    South Africa

Salary:                         Competitive Salary Package + Benefits

Job Summary

The role supports the risk management activities undertaken across Africa and international offices, contributing to the executive committees and collaborating on functional and business strategy, operating model, business approach, and talent planning. This role aims to ensure the effective and integrated management of the risk profile and performance across the business, working closely with CROs, shared services, and the business/product heads.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management

• Challenge business units on strategy and risk profile considering macroeconomic and regulatory factors, focusing on risk-adjusted returns.
• Determine and propose the overall risk appetite and strategy for committee approval.
• Allocate and monitor the enterprise-wide risk profile in coordination with Business and Country CEOs, aligned with approved strategy and group risk appetite.
• Oversee the risk profile to ensure understanding and control by all stakeholders.
• Implement a governance framework that meets regulatory standards, fulfilling responsibilities under corporate governance principles.
• Ensure robust and thorough risk management activities across the business.
• Establish controls for identifying, assessing, measuring, reporting, and managing key risks, with timely escalation for effective mitigation.
• Oversee risk control in critical processes, reporting to the Chief Risk Director and relevant committees on risk positions, risk appetite adherence, and control environment.
• Ensure prompt resolution of regulatory issues and implement risk measurement models per regulatory and accounting standards.

Strategy Formulation and Execution

• Implement an integrated risk management framework across all the business areas/countries.
• Ensure governance of significant risks and related opportunities.
• Align and collaborate on strategic risk activities across the group.
• Maintain clear communication with senior executives on current events and emerging issues.

People Management

• Build capability and talent across the risk function, providing direction on strategic goals and embedding company values.
• Align resource allocation with business plans, leading the Risk function to support talent management, development, and mobility.
• Drive diversity and inclusion initiatives, align remuneration with industry standards, and support learning and development.

Stakeholder Management

• Build effective relationships with business and functional heads and engage with external forums to establish networks in the financial services industry.
• Maintain effective interaction with the Group Chief Risk Director and relevant committees, including regulators and governance structures.

Business Management

• Accountable for the annual planning and review of budgets and the efficient operation of the function, consistent with the risk target operating model.

Role/Person Specifications

Preferred Education

• 1st Degree of relevant discipline, MBA, Master’s, CA, or related NQF Level 6 equivalent qualification.

Preferred Experience

• 10+ years in the banking sector with international/regional exposure.
• 10+ years managing a large control or operations environment.
• 5+ years at a senior management level in a large corporate, with board engagement experience preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strategic thinking, communication and influence, networking, cultural awareness, stakeholder management, and innovation.
• Proven leadership, people management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong knowledge of corporate and investment banking, risk, control, and governance.
• Ability to manage multi-segment environments with matrix reporting structures.

Place of work