Sandton: Chief Legal and Risk Officer posted by Pepkor Lifestyle

Executive Opportunity: Chief Legal and Risk Officer Location: Marlboro Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer The Role We are seeking a commercially-astute Chief Legal and Risk Officer to join our Executive Management team. This is a role designed for a leader who can bridge the gap between complex legal/regulatory requirements, across multiple jurisdictions, and the fast-paced demands of a large-scale retail and financial services portfolio. Key Performance Areas Integrated Risk & Combined Assurance: Architect the Groups Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework. Implement a unified reporting model that integrates Legal, Risk, and Compliance into a single executive decision-making engine. Commercial Strategy & Advisory: Providing expert counsel on the legal/risk implications of multi-year business decisions. Data-Driven Fraud & Compliance: Develop proactive fraud prevention strategies and Group-wide compliance frameworks. Leverage BI and Data Analytics to ensure “on-time” information for decision-making. Governance & Legal Advisory: Deliver expert counsel on legal and regulatory obligations impacting corporate decisions and commercial operations. Credit Risk & Decision Support: Transform complex legal and regulatory requirements, alongside operational processes, into robust analytical frameworks to ensure optimal credit risk management execution and assist in establishing measurable, compliance-driven performance and efficiency criteria for the financial services brand, Pepkor Lifestyle Finance. ESG & Sustainability Leadership: Lead the implementation of sustainability reporting and manage interventions to fulfill Group requirements. What We Require Qualifications: LLB or B.Proc degree and admission as an Attorney or Advocate. Professional certifications in Risk Management (IRMSA) or Fraud Prevention are a plus. Experience: Approximately 12 years of career experience, with 58 years in a senior leadership role. Technical Mastery: Deep expertise in Corporate Law and Credit Risk. Familiarity with Data Analytics and BI tools is essential. Executive Presence: Exceptional negotiation skills and the “commercial street-smarts” to simplify complex legal/risk issues for non-legal stakeholders. Skills Business Acumen: The ability to see legal and risk functions as business enablers. Executive Presence & Board Reporting: Experience presenting high-stakes risk profiles and legal strategies to a Board of Directors or Audit Committee. Crisis Management: A proven track record of leading an organisation through regulatory investigations, data breaches, or reputational crises. Change Management: The skill to instill a “culture of compliance” across global, decentralised teams. ESG Oversight: Skills in managing Environmental, Social, and Governance reporting and legal risks. Corporate Governance: Proficiency in board relations, subsidiary management, and secretarial duties. Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Strategic oversight of complex legal claims and external counsel. Transaction Excellence: Experience in M&A and due diligence. Competencies Deciding and Initiating Action Leading and Supervising Adhering to Principles and Values Persuading and Influencing Formulating Strategies and Concepts Adapting and Responding to Change Entrepreneurial and Commercial Thinking If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the closing date of this position, please regard your application as being unsuccessful. Pepkor Lifestyle strives for equal opportunity in terms of its employment equity guidelines.