Chief Risk Officer (CRO)

SUMMARY:
We are seeking an experienced Chief Risk Officer (CRO) to lead the development and implementation of an integrated risk management strategy that is aligned to the organisation’s long-term vision and regulatory expectations.

POSITION INFO:
Key Focus Areas
Strategic Risk Leadership

• Drive the design and execution of a robust risk strategy aligned with the organisation’s overarching goals and risk appetite.
• Advise the Board and executive leadership on emerging and material risks, ensuring informed decision-making and sustainable growth.
• Develop and implement integrated risk frameworks, policies, and tolerance levels across all functional areas.

• Lead the enterprise-wide risk function covering all key domains — credit, market, operational, compliance, liquidity, strategic, and financial crime risk.
• Oversee the development of a common risk assessment methodology aligned with the business’s strategic, tactical, and operational objectives.
• Embed a positive risk culture and ensure risk controls are well understood and operationalised across the enterprise.

• Support the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP) and contribute to balance sheet and ALM activities.
• Ensure capital is appropriately measured and allocated for all material risks.
• Establish risk-adjusted performance frameworks that enable value-based decision-making.

• Ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable legislation and financial sector regulations (e.g., PFMA, Banks Act, FICA).
• Lead the development and execution of contingency planning, fraud prevention strategies, and business continuity frameworks.
• Oversee the preparation of risk reports to the Board, Risk Committees, and regulatory authorities.

• Foster a high-performance, inclusive culture by aligning teams to risk goals and building capability at all organisational levels.
• Ensure talent development, succession planning, and training initiatives are in place to maintain a future-fit risk function.
• Act as a role model for ethics, integrity, and resilience in leadership

• Post graduate qualification in Risk Management/ Auditing or Accounting or a combination of Business Science and a post graduate qualification.
• Registration with a professional body such as IRMSA or similar other professional organisation would be an advantage

• At least 8 to 10 years post qualification experience in a similar position, in the banking industry.

• Thorough understanding of banking practices and the associated risk management thereof.
• Proven track record in managing risk management department(s) in a similar environment
• Good understanding of integrated risk management processes and techniques, governance frameworks and emerging practices
• Good understanding of capital management, allocation concepts and methodology
• Understanding of financial and strategic planning Good understanding of regulatory environment (e.g. PMFA, Banks Act, FICA, etc)