Group Executive: Head of Governance

Job Purpose

The Group Executive: Head of Governance is a senior leadership role responsible for driving effective, consistent, and value-adding governance across the organisation’s pan-African operations. This role ensures that governance frameworks, policies, and practices are aligned with regulatory requirements, corporate governance principles, and the organisation’s strategic objectives.

As the Group Executive: Head of Governance, you will report to the Group Chief Governance Officer and play a critical role in integrating governance across subsidiaries, ensuring alignment between regulatory expectations, stakeholder confidence, and business performance. This position requires a strategic thinker who can translate governance strategy into practical and scalable solutions across diverse markets.

Role Overview

The Group Executive: Head of Governance will provide leadership in the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide governance frameworks. The role focuses on strengthening board and committee effectiveness, enhancing governance maturity, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations while enabling business growth.

You will act as a central governance integrator, ensuring that governance practices across Legal, Compliance, Risk, and other key functions are aligned and operating efficiently. The Group Executive: Head of Governance will also play a key role in embedding a culture of ethical leadership and accountability across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Governance Strategy and Frameworks

• Lead the development and enhancement of enterprise-wide governance frameworks aligned with regulatory requirements and international best practices.
• Translate governance strategies into practical policies, standards, and operating models that are scalable across multiple jurisdictions.
• Ensure governance frameworks support the organisation’s risk appetite and long-term strategic goals.
• Continuously evaluate and improve governance structures to ensure effectiveness and relevance.

Board and Committee Governance

• Provide oversight and guidance to boards, committees, and subsidiary governance forums.
• Strengthen governance processes including charters, mandates, reporting structures, and decision-making frameworks.
• Ensure clear accountability, transparency, and effective information flow across governance bodies.
• Collaborate with Company Secretariat and Legal teams to ensure seamless governance operations.

Regulatory Alignment and Stakeholder Engagement

• Ensure governance practices comply with regulatory, supervisory, and stakeholder expectations.
• Interpret and apply governance-related regulations consistently across all regions.
• Monitor emerging governance trends and proactively integrate them into frameworks and policies.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to maintain trust and confidence.

Governance Integration Across the Organisation

• Align governance-related functions including Legal, Risk, Compliance, Ethics, and ESG.
• Promote consistency in governance practices while accommodating regional and operational differences.
• Provide guidance and support to subsidiaries to strengthen governance implementation.
• Drive collaboration across departments to ensure unified governance standards.

Culture, Ethics, and Governance Maturity

• Promote ethical leadership, accountability, and responsible decision-making.
• Embed governance principles into organisational culture and leadership practices.
• Support initiatives that enhance governance maturity beyond compliance toward performance excellence.
• Champion values-driven leadership across all levels of the organisation.

Oversight, Assurance, and Continuous Improvement

• Monitor governance effectiveness through metrics, audits, and performance reviews.
• Identify governance risks, gaps, and inefficiencies and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure governance processes remain efficient, sustainable, and adaptable to change.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen governance practices.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Law, Governance, Risk Management, Finance, or a related field
• Professional governance certification is advantageous

Experience

• 12–15 years of experience in governance, legal, regulatory, or risk environments within financial services
• Proven experience in a senior or executive leadership role within a complex, multi-jurisdictional organisation
• Strong exposure to board and executive governance structures in regulated environments
• Experience across African markets is advantageous

Core Competencies

• Expertise in enterprise governance design and implementation
• Strong ability to influence board-level and executive stakeholders
• Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements
• Strategic thinking with strong systems integration capability
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
• High ethical standards, integrity, and professional judgement
• Strong stakeholder management and cultural awareness

Employment Equity

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, applications from individuals with disabilities are encouraged.