Head: Compliance Transformation

Requisition Details and Talent Acquisition Contact

REQ ID: 147353 - Michelle Thabethe

Location: Sandton

Cluster: Group Compliance 

Closing date: 26 August 2026

Job Family

Human Resources

Career Stream

Employee Relations Employment Equity And Transformation

Leadership Pipeline

Manage Self: Expert

Role Purpose

Lead the strategic transformation of the Compliance function to create a future-ready, intelligence-led, AI-enabled compliance capability while improving efficiency, effectiveness and business partnership.
The role is responsible for designing and executing the Compliance Transformation Strategy, driving the adoption of emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, modernising compliance operating models and enhancing capabilities.

The Head of Compliance Transformation serves as a strategic advisor to the GCCO and Compliance Executive Team on the future direction of the function.

Job Responsibilities

1. Compliance Transformation Strategy

• Develop and execute a multi-year Compliance Transformation Strategy aligned to business, risk, regulatory, and technology objectives.


• Drive continuous improvement across compliance processes, controls, governance, and service delivery.


• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise, automate, and optimise compliance activities.


• Establish transformation governance, milestones, benefits realisation, and value measurement frameworks.

2. Future Compliance Operating Model

• Evaluate the centralisation, hub-and-spoke, utility, and centre-of-excellence models.


• Design a future-fit compliance operating model.


• Define the optimal balance between human expertise and technology-enabled compliance activities.


• Drive role redesign (where necessary) and workforce transformation initiatives.

3. Capability Building and Workforce of the Future

• Assist in the development of the Compliance Future Skills Framework.


• Build capability in AI, data literacy, digital fluency, regulatory intelligence and innovation.


• Identify future talent requirements and succession pipelines.


• Identify learning and development opportunities to support workforce transformation

4. AI and Emerging Technology Enablement

• Lead the development and implementation of an AI-enabled Compliance Function.


• Identify and prioritise use cases for Generative AI, predictive analytics, machine learning, and intelligent automation.


• Partner with technology, data, risk, and business teams to scale AI solutions.


• Ensure all AI adoption complies with applicable regulatory, ethical, privacy, and responsible AI requirements.


• Establish governance frameworks for AI use within Compliance.


• Drive the effective use of digital assistants, regulatory intelligence platforms, workflow tools, and advanced analytics.

5. Data, Analytics and Compliance Intelligence

• Enhance the use of data, analytics, and insights across Compliance.


• Drive development of compliance intelligence and management information capabilities.


• Promote data-driven decision-making across the function.


• Collaborate with enterprise data teams to improve compliance data quality, availability, and governance.

6. Change Management and Adoption

• Lead organisational change initiatives associated with compliance transformation.


• Develop strategies to drive adoption of new technologies, processes, and ways of working.


• Build strong stakeholder engagement across Business, Risk, Technology and HR.


• Embed a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning within Compliance.

7. Strategic Partnerships

• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.


• Represent the Compliance function in industry forums relating to compliance innovation, regulatory technology, and AI.

Key Deliverables

• Compliance Transformation Strategy.


• AI-Enabled Compliance Roadmap.


• Future Compliance Operating Model.


• Compliance Future Skills Framework.


• Compliance Technology and Automation Pipeline.


• Regulatory Intelligence Framework.


• Compliance Data and Analytics Strategy.


• Change Management and Adoption Plan.

Essential Qualifications - NQF Level

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Commerce, Finance, Technology, Data Science, Engineering, Business, or related field.

Preferred Qualification

• Post graduate Degree (Data Science, Technology, or equivalent).

Essential Certifications

• Professional certifications in Change Management, Agile, AI Governance, Project Management, or Digital Transformation.

Minimum Experience Level

• 7-10 years' experience in financial services, compliance, risk, transformation, strategy, or technology leadership roles.


• Experience leading large-scale transformation programmes.


• Demonstrated experience in digital transformation, AI, automation, or data-led initiatives.


• Experience engaging executive committees and senior stakeholders.

Technical / Professional Knowledge

Strategic Leadership

• Strategic thinking


• Vision setting


• Systems thinking


• Future orientation

Transformation and Innovation

• Digital transformation


• Innovation leadership


• Design thinking


• Continuous improvement

Technology and Data

• AI literacy


• Data analytics


• Digital fluency


• Technology enablement

Risk and Regulatory Insight

• Regulatory awareness


• Risk management

Change Leadership

• Stakeholder management


• Influencing skills


• Resilience


• Organisational change management

Commercial and Business Acumen

• Value creation


• Performance management


• Resource optimisation


• Financial acumen

Behavioural Competencies

• Establishing strategic direction


• Leading Change


• High-Impact Communication


• Courage


• Customer Focus


• 360° Decision Making


• Cultivating networks and partnerships 


• Driving Execution


• Inspiring Excellence