About the position
Overview:
Our client, an independent global asset manager with [URL Removed] trillion in assets under management, is seeking a Financial Crime Compliance Manager to join their team. The Compliance team provides advice and support to senior management to help ensure that the activities of the company are conducted within the letter and spirit of all applicable rules and regulations.
The Compliance team also performs ongoing monitoring of business activities to identify any departures from procedures or any matters that could be deemed as straying from the letter or spirit of the rules and regulations. The global team consists of compliance professionals based in Cape Town, London, Guernsey, Luxembourg, New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The team is diverse and management encourages cross-regional participation and collaboration. This role will primarily focus on Financial Crime Compliance in Southern Africa.
Responsibilities:
Financial Crime Compliance Oversight
- Function as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for all of the company’s South African Accountable Institutions
- Ensure compliance with local and international financial crime regulations, including Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT), sanctions, and anti-bribery laws, with specific expertise in the Southern African regulatory landscapes
- Provide expert advisory to the business on compliance risks and obligations, ensuring alignment with FSCA, PA, FIC, NAMFISA, NBFIRA expectations
- Maintain and update the Risk Management Compliance Programme for all Accountable Institutions, ensuring annual review and signoffs
- Conduct and update the Business Risk Assessments in accordance with the approved Business Risk Assessment methodology
Transaction Monitoring, Screening, and Investigations
- Conduct and oversee transaction monitoring in accordance with the relevant standard
- Conduct/Review screening of clients, counterparties, and transactions using tools such as World-Check One and Risk Secure, ensuring timely identification and resolution of alerts related to sanctions, politically exposed persons (PEPs), and adverse media
- Provide sign off for new private market investments as well as institutional client relationships
- Maintain and optimise screening configurations to reduce false positives while ensuring effective risk coverage
- Perform periodic quality assurance reviews of screening processes to enhance operational efficiency and compliance outcomes
Regulatory Engagement & Industry Participation
- Represent the company in regulatory inspections, audits, and industry forums related to financial crime compliance
- Support regulatory inspections, audits, and due diligence processes
- Ensure all required Southern African FCC regulatory filings are completed accurately and on time
- Stay abreast of regulatory developments and ensure policies and procedures reflect current and upcoming requirements
Training, Assurance and Governance
- Develop and deliver training programs to business units to enhance awareness of AML/CFT risks and compliance obligations
- Ensure that all business units understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to AML compliance
- Conduct periodic compliance reviews and testing to ensure the effectiveness of FCC controls, providing recommendations for enhancements where needed
- Prepare detailed compliance reports for senior management, risk committees, boards, and regulators
Leadership and Team Management
- Lead and Manage the Southern Africa Financial Crime Compliance team (permanent employees and ad-hoc contractors)
- Provide strategic input into the development of the FCC function within the company, ensuring alignment with global best practices
- Foster a culture of compliance, integrity, and accountability within the organisation
Requirements:
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in law, Business, Finance, or a related field
- CAMS (Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist) or similar AML-related certification is advantageous
Experience
- 5+ years of experience in Financial Crime Compliance, preferably in an asset management or financial services environment
- Experience working with Southern Africa AML/CFT legislation and regulations including the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) Guidance Note 7 and 7A, and the relevant Public Compliance Communications (PCCs)
- Strong knowledge of international financial crime networks, such as FATF recommendations, Wolfsberg Principles, and global sanctions regimes
- Prior experience engaging with regulators and managing regulatory inspections is beneficial
Skills and Attributes
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to assess and mitigate compliance risks effectively
- Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a challenging environment
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across various levels of the organisation
- High diligence and a commitment to maintaining high compliance standards
- Ability to recognize and embrace change, ensuring adaptability in a regulatory landscape that is continuously evolving
- A baseline understanding of unit trust funds (incl. the underlying regulations that impact them)
Skills and Attributes:
- The ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships
- A strong belief in doing the right thing
- Intellectual curiosity and the drive to continuously develop
- A purposeful mindset with a proactive approach
- High conviction and the confidence to share informed opinions
- Ability to recognise and embrace change
- Ability to analyse, interpret and assimilate information
Desired Skills:
- Anti-money Laundering (AML)
- Compliance
- FICA
- Know Your Customer (KYC)
