Head of Compliance

Role overview

The Head of Compliance will be responsible for directing compliance risk management activities across a major Tier 1 country operation. The role exists to ensure all compliance work is carried out correctly, helping protect the business from operational losses, penalties, fines, and reputational harm while supporting sustainable competitive advantage.

Key responsibilities

• Assess country operations to spot compliance risks and confirm alignment with the Standard Bank Group’s compliance frameworks and standards.
• Maintain strong working relationships with regulators and other key stakeholders across all areas of responsibility.
• Create, monitor, and report on country compliance monitoring plans to identify serious breaches, exposure points, and improvement opportunities.
• Adapt and sustain risk management plans so they remain suitable for the country’s specific regulatory environment.
• Roll out new standards, processes, and procedures across the country, including updating documentation and arranging the necessary training.
• Carry out the regulatory responsibilities required by the relevant governing authorities.
• Ensure the compliance team follows the agreed data model so that data is captured, managed, and stored in line with required standards and policies.
• Support the Functional People plan in partnership with the People & Culture function, including identifying present and future capability needs.
• Keep Country Executives, relevant CoE Heads, and Regional Compliance Heads informed about regulatory inspections, and serve as the channel for information requests, observations, and findings.
• Stay current on regulatory and legislative changes affecting the country and translate them into practical guidance for stakeholders.
• Lead the embedded compliance team using lean leadership and employee engagement principles across the full employee lifecycle, including hiring, performance, learning, discipline, grievances, retention, rewards, and people administration.
• Advise country management and committees on the regulatory landscape, the compliance frameworks supporting their activities, and emerging regulatory changes.
• Escalate and report all significant compliance matters through the established channels so issues are resolved quickly and business impact is reduced.
• Review compliance learning content and contribute improvements to ensure it meets country needs, and deliver tailored face-to-face training when required.
• Evaluate compliance frameworks, standards, and procedures against the country’s unique regulatory requirements and recommend changes where needed.
• Oversee team or cost-centre finances and work to continuously lower costs within the embedded compliance function while maintaining efficiency and service quality.

Additional information

This role is based in Kampala, Central Region, Uganda, and is a full-time onsite position.