Compliance Managers

Accreditation Lieutenant
Accreditation Manager
Compliance Director
Compliance Manager
Compliance Operations Manager
Environmental Health and Safety Director
Environmental Manager
Environmental Program Manager
Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager (HSE Manager)
Risk Manager

What is a Compliance Manager?

A Compliance Manager is a professional responsible for ensuring that an organization complies with legal and regulatory requirements, as well as internal policies and procedures. They play a crucial role in mitigating risks and maintaining the organization's integrity by developing, implementing, and monitoring compliance programs. Compliance Managers conduct regular audits, assess potential risks, and provide guidance on legal requirements related to the industry in which the organization operates. They work closely with various departments to promote a culture of compliance throughout the organization, ensuring that all employees understand their obligations regarding regulatory standards. Compliance Managers also serve as a liaison with regulatory agencies, facilitating communication and addressing any compliance-related inquiries or issues. Overall, their primary aim is to protect the organization from legal penalties and reputational damage by fostering adherence to applicable laws and regulations.

Career Assessment
Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$67370.0 - $225120.0

This career will grow rapidly in the next few years and will have large numbers of openings.

Finding local jobs...
Assessment

Related assessments and tests

No assessment available.

Career Assessment

Tasks

  • Report violations of compliance or regulatory standards to duly authorized enforcement agencies as appropriate or required.
  • Identify compliance issues that require follow-up or investigation.
  • Discuss emerging compliance issues to ensure that management and employees are informed about compliance reporting systems, policies, and practices.
  • File appropriate compliance reports with regulatory agencies.
  • Maintain documentation of compliance activities, such as complaints received or investigation outcomes.

Technology Skills

Tools Used

Knowledge

  • Law and Government

    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

  • English Language

    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • Administration and Management

    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

  • Personnel and Human Resources

    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

4556 Active Jobs in South Africa
Avg Salary: R47,196pm

How to Know if You Are Ready to be a Compliance Manager in South Africa

The regulatory landscape in South Africa is becoming increasingly complex. With the tightening of FICA regulations and the stringent requirements of POPIA, the role of a Compliance Manager has never been more critical. Currently, there are 4101 active jobs in the market, with an average monthly salary of R47,196pm. Notably, market data shows a strong upward trend in compensation, with average earnings growing from R41,532 in January 2024 to an impressive R51,916 by December 2024. If you are looking for a stable, high-growth career, now is the time to evaluate your readiness.

Is Compliance Management Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before stepping into this high-stakes environment, consider if you possess the following core traits and psychological predispositions:

  • Unwavering Integrity: Are you comfortable standing your ground and acting as the "moral compass" of an organisation, even when faced with executive pressure?
  • Analytical Precision: Do you enjoy dissecting complex legislative documents and identifying subtle risks that others might overlook?
  • Resilience under Pressure: Can you remain calm during audits or when navigating the "Grey List" implications for South African financial institutions?
  • Strong Communication: Are you able to translate dense legal jargon into clear, actionable advice for staff at all levels?
  • Methodical Organisation: Do you have a natural affinity for creating systems, maintaining records, and ensuring every "i" is dotted and "t" is crossed?

A Day in the Life of a South African Compliance Manager

In the South African context, your day often begins with a review of the latest notices from regulators such as the FSCA or the South African Reserve Bank. You aren't just a "policeman"; you are a strategic partner. You might spend your morning conducting a risk assessment on a new product line to ensure it aligns with the Consumer Protection Act, followed by a lunch meeting to advise the board on the implications of the latest Employment Equity updates. The afternoon usually involves monitoring internal controls, investigating potential breaches, and drafting reports that protect the company’s licence to operate. It is a balancing act between rigorous oversight and enabling the business to grow safely.

Education & Upskilling: Building Your Foundation

Ready to start your career as a Compliance Managers?

Explore Top-Rated Compliance Managers Courses on Udemy

To succeed in South Africa, a solid educational foundation is non-negotiable. Most employers look for a formal degree in Law (LLB), Commerce (BCom), or Risk Management from a recognised South African university. However, the degree is only the starting point.

  • Professional Designations: Pursuing a designation through the Compliance Institute Southern Africa (CISA), such as the Occupational Certificate: Compliance Officer, is highly regarded.
  • Specialised Short Courses: Targeted certifications in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), POPIA compliance, or King IV Governance are essential for staying competitive.

It is vital to remember that continuous learning is the cornerstone of this profession. Regulations change, and a successful Compliance Manager must commit to lifelong learning and Professional Development (CPD) to ensure their organisation remains on the right side of the law.

Next Steps

Transitioning into a management role requires more than just technical knowledge; it requires a specific mindset and a high level of professional maturity. If you feel you have the discipline and the drive to excel in this evolving field, it is time to validate your instincts. Test your readiness now by taking our comprehensive career assessment to see if you are truly prepared to lead the compliance function in today’s corporate environment.

Skills

  • Critical Thinking

    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Speaking

    Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Writing

    Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Abilities

  • Oral Expression

    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

  • Problem Sensitivity

    The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

  • Written Expression

    The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

  • Deductive Reasoning

    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

  • Inductive Reasoning

    The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

  • Bachelor's degree
    63 %
  • Master's degree
    14 %
  • High school diploma or equivalent
    9 %

    or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

Work Activities

  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

    Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

    Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • Getting Information

    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Working with Computers

    Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

  • Documenting/Recording Information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Communicate with government agencies.
  • Identify actions needed to bring properties or facilities into compliance with regulations.
  • Communicate organizational policies and procedures.
  • Advise others on legal or regulatory compliance matters.
  • Maintain regulatory or compliance documentation.

Work Interests

  • Conventional

    Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

  • Enterprising

    Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

This page incorporates data from O_NET OnLine, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), under the CC BY 4.0 license. O_NET is a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Assessify has adapted and modified the original content. Please note that USDOL/ETA has neither reviewed nor endorsed these changes.