Chief Risk Officer: Old Mutual Africa Regions

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

Working in close partnership with the Old Mutual Limited Group Risk, Compliance and Actuarial (GRCA) function and the Old Mutual Africa Regions Executive Team, the incumbent will be accountable for leading, developing and embedding an effective, future‑fit enterprise risk management strategy across Old Mutual’s 12 African subsidiaries.

Reporting directly to the OML Group Chief Risk Officer, the role provides strategic risk leadership to the Managing Director for Africa Regions and serves as an integral member of the Africa Regions Executive Committee. While the business follows a hybrid working model, the role will be primarily based in Johannesburg, with regular engagement across the continent.

Old Mutual Africa Regions is a core pillar of the Group’s strategy. Our footprint covers 12 countries across SADC, East Africa and West Africa, serving more than 5 million customers with a workforce of approximately 7,000 employees.

The portfolio spans:

• Life and Savings
• Property & Casualty,
• Banking and Lending,
• Asset Management

Given the scale, diversity and complexity of this multi‑country, multi‑license business, the role of Chief Risk Officer for Africa Regions is mission‑critical. We are seeking a seasoned and forward‑looking risk leader who brings the technical depth, commercial insight and leadership strength required to support the business in achieving its growth ambitions, while navigating an increasingly complex, volatile and fast‑changing African operating environment.

Purpose of the Role

As a key member of the executive team this role will share and lead a progressive, enterprise-wide risk agenda across the Africa Regions that enables confident decision-making, sustainable growth and long-erm value creation.  The role is accountable for the ongoing development and implementation of a comprehensive, forward‑looking enterprise risk management strategy across the African businesses — one that reflects the Group’s risk appetite, balances risk and return, and embeds a strong, positive risk culture. This includes ensuring that the risk agenda covers the most material financial and non‑financial risks, proactively identifies emerging and systemic risks, and delivers timely, high‑quality insights to inform strategic decision‑making across Africa Regions, enabling sustainable growth, operational resilience, and innovation.

Strategic Enterprise Risk Leadership

• Lead a forward‑looking enterprise risk management strategy aligned to Group risk appetite and Africa Regions' strategic priorities.
• Drive active participation from Line 1 in setting risk appetite, defining risk profiles, and embedding strong risk ownership.
• Strengthen risk capability across subsidiaries and Boards through partnership, education, and consistent application of the ERM framework.
• Identify efficiency opportunities and uplift risk maturity across Africa Regions and the wider Group.
• Communicate clear, insightful risk intelligence to Boards, leadership and external stakeholders.
• Represent Africa Regions in regulatory, industry and professional risk forums.
• Provide an independent, integrated view of current and emerging risks and challenge activities that may alter the risk profile.
• Hold senior management accountable for delivering customer outcomes and adhering to regulatory and Group risk expectations.
• Role-model Group values through ethical leadership, sound judgement and decisive action.

Nurture and Promote a Positive Risk Culture

• Ensure risk data is accurate, complete and governed appropriately to support effective oversight.
• Promote risk awareness through accessible analysis, training and communication.
• Report regularly to OML EXCO and the Africa Regions Board on risk exposure, utilisation of risk appetite and risks arising from strategic initiatives.

Build and Sustain a High‑Performance Risk Function

• Ensure the consistent and effective performance of the 2nd line across all Africa Regions subsidiaries.
• Role‑model Group culture and values through leadership behaviours and decision‑making.
• Create a workplace environment that fosters psychological safety, innovation, transparent knowledge‑sharing, continuous learning and constructive challenge.
• Champion a high‑performance culture that enables strong delivery, personal growth and positive futures for employees and customers

Executive Impact and Influence

• Commercially astute and strategic in judgement, balancing growth, innovation and disciplined risk-taking.
• Demonstrates high integrity, resilience and courage, with the ability to challenge constructively and hold senior leaders accountable.
• Influences effectively at Board and EXCO level, translating complexity into clear, decision-oriented risk insights.
• Builds trust and credibility across diverse stakeholders, including regulators, industry bodies and professional forums.
• Navigates ambiguity, complexity and change with confidence in fast-evolving, multi-jurisdictional environments.

Requirements:

• Relevant degree, preferably with a professional qualification such as FASSA/FIA/IFoA, CERA, or FRM.
• 8 – 10 years’ experience, with at least 3 years at senior management level) in risk management techniques from risk identification, evaluation, managing and monitoring as well as capital management, allocation concepts and methodology.
• Experience in the Financial Services sector is a requirement, and experience in the banking sector would be an advantage, as would in working across the African continent outside of SA.
• Have solid business acumen.
• Proven track record of communicating, influencing and delivering through others.
• Adaptable and able to cope with a dynamic environment.
• Reliable, have integrity and display a professional approach.
• Willing to travel as required.

Skills

Adaptive Thinking, Business Requirements Analysis, Change Management, Current State Assessment, Data Compilation, Executing Plans, Oral Communications, Policies & Procedures, Policy Development, Presenting Solutions, Professional Presentation, Readiness Assessments, Strategic Planning

Competencies

Balances Stakeholders

Builds Effective Teams

Builds Networks

Business Insight

Collaborates

Communicates Effectively

Drives Vision and Purpose

Ensures Accountability

Education

Fellow Of Actuarial Society Of South Africa (FASSA), Fellow Of The Institute Of Actuaries, Financial Risk Manager

Closing Date

30 January 2026 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

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