Senior Specialist: Compliance

Requisition Details and Talent Acquisition Contact

REQ ID: 148091 - Michelle Thabethe

Location: Sandton

Cluster: Group Compliance - GC SHARED SERVICES COMPLIANCE 

Closing: 15 October 2026

Job Family

Governance And Compliance

Career Stream

Compliance

Leadership Pipeline

Job Purpose

• The Senior Specialist: Compliance provides advanced technical expertise and delivery within Shared Services functions.
• This role applies deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks to advise the business, support compliance risk assessments, conduct targeted monitoring, and assist in managing incidents and breaches, while maintaining great stakeholder relationships. While it does not carry formal people leadership, the Senior Specialist is a trusted advisor and a technical mentor to junior compliance professionals, ensuring quality, accuracy, and rigour in execution.
• The Senior Specialist ensures that Group Compliance policies and frameworks are translated into practical operational outcomes, strengthening Nedbank’s compliance posture and protecting its reputation.

Accountabilities

Compliance Advisory & Support
•    Provide expert compliance guidance to business teams on policies, frameworks, processes, and procedures 
•    Anticipate regulatory impacts and propose pragmatic, risk-based solutions.
•    Escalate complex issues to the Head or Senior Management, offering recommendations.

Risk Assessment & Control Design
•    Contribute to portfolio/domain compliance risk assessments, identifying and prioritising risks.
•    Recommend control improvements and support their implementation while maintaining independence.
•    Monitor the effectiveness of controls and recommend enhancements where needed.

Monitoring & Testing Execution
•    Conduct targeted compliance reviews in high-risk areas.
•    Document findings, prepare reports, and make actionable recommendations.
•    Track the closure and validation of monitoring findings.

Incident & Breach Management
•    Assist in investigations of incidents, breaches, and complaints.
•    Gather evidence, analyse root causes, and recommend sustainable remediation.
•    Track remediation actions and escalate delays.

Knowledge Sharing & Mentoring
•    Mentor Specialists and Analysts, providing technical guidance and coaching.
•    Deliver training sessions or awareness programmes on regulatory requirements.
•    Share insights on emerging regulatory developments with colleagues.

Stakeholder Engagement
•    Collaborate with risk, legal, and operational teams to ensure alignment in compliance delivery.
•    Build trust and credibility with business stakeholders through professional advisory.

Essential Requirements

• 7+ years’ experience in compliance, risk, audit, or legal roles in banking or financial services.
• Strong technical understanding of relevant regulations (e.g. Code of Advertising practice, B Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Financial Sector Regulation Act, Trust Property Control Act, Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, Banks Act, FAIS, POPIA)
• Relevant degree (Law, Risk, Finance, Business) and compliance-related certifications.

Advantageous Requirements

• Experience conducting monitoring or assurance reviews.
• Exposure to multiple products or business areas.
• Experience providing regulatory advisory services.

Technical Expertise

• Regulatory Compliance Advisory (Advanced) – Proven ability to interpret and apply regulatory obligations.
• Compliance Risk Assessment (Advanced) – Proven ability to identify and assess risks in business processes.
• Compliance Monitoring & Testing (Advanced) – Proven ability to execute monitoring reviews and document results.
• Incident & Breach Support (Advanced) – Proven ability to assist with investigations and recommend remediation.
• Policy & Framework Application (Advanced) – Proven ability to embed Group compliance frameworks into operations.

Leadership Capabilities (Skills)

• Collaboration & Influence (Advanced) – Proven ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Decision-Making (Advanced) – Proven ability to make balanced recommendations under pressure.
• Change Agility (Advanced) – Proven ability to adapt to evolving regulations and business changes.
• Technical Thought Leadership (Advanced) – Recognised as a go-to advisor for technical compliance questions.

Behavioural competencies

• Inspiring Excellence – Strives for quality and precision in compliance delivery.
• Business Savvy – Aligns compliance advice with business priorities and operational realities.
• Connected Decision-Making – Considers regulatory, risk, and business perspectives in recommendations.
• Cultivating Networks & Partnerships – Builds strong working relationships across teams.
• Ethical Practice – Acts with fairness, transparency, and integrity at all times.