Overview
COMPANY SECRETARY, HEAD OF LEGAL, COMPLIANCE AND RISK Jobs in South Africa at Retail Motor Industry Organisation
Title: COMPANY SECRETARY, HEAD OF LEGAL, COMPLIANCE AND RISK
Company: Retail Motor Industry Organisation
Location: South Africa
As the employer of choice, RMI drives innovation through talent management and the growth of our people, fostering trust, unity, and integrity while igniting organisational success for all stakeholders. We employ leading-edge processes, practices, and communication to ensure that productive, healthy, results-driven, and loyal employees achieve strategic and operational excellence in an inclusive and diverse environment.
The above vacancy, based in Midrand, is hereby internally advertised, and we invite suitably qualified employees within the RMI to apply.
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic legal professional to join our Executive Leadership Team as Company Secretary, Head of Legal, Compliance & Risk.
This is a critical leadership role responsible for providing governance oversight, legal advisory services, compliance management, enterprise risk management and ethical leadership across the organisation. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to the Board, its Committees, the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Committee, ensuring the organisation maintains the highest standards of corporate governance, legal compliance and risk management.
Purpose of the Role
The purpose of this role is to ensure that the organisation upholds the highest standards of corporate governance, legal and regulatory compliance, and effective risk management. The incumbent will provide strategic and administrative support to the Board and its Committees, facilitate transparent decision-making, and safeguard the organisation's integrity and reputation.
Key Responsibilities
Governance and Company Secretariat
• Serve as Company Secretary to the Board and its Committees.
• Prepare and coordinate Board and Committee agendas, notices, minutes and action logs.
• Compile and distribute Board packs and governance documentation.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance requirements and statutory obligations.
• Facilitate Board and Committee evaluations, governance training and work-planning processes.
• Provide governance advice and support to the Board, Executive Committee and senior leadership.
Legal Advisory and Corporate Legal Services
• Provide strategic legal advice to the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Committee and Board.
• Draft, review, negotiate and manage contracts and legal documentation.
• Oversee all legal matters affecting the organisation.
• Manage litigation, disputes and external legal service providers.
• Conduct legal research and ensure organisational compliance with applicable legislation.
• Protect and manage the organisation's intellectual property portfolio.
Compliance Management
• Develop, implement and maintain the organisation's compliance framework.
• Monitor changes in legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct compliance monitoring, awareness initiatives and training.
• Oversee regulatory submissions and statutory reporting requirements.
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory authorities and external compliance stakeholders.
• Promote a culture of compliance throughout the organisation.
Enterprise Risk Management
• Lead the development and implementation of the organisation's risk management framework.
• Identify, assess, monitor and mitigate strategic and operational risks.
• Maintain the organisational risk register and monitor risk treatment plans.
• Drive risk reporting and oversight across the organisation.
• Advise the Executive Committee and Board on emerging risks and mitigation strategies.
• Manage relationships with external risk and compliance service providers.
Ethics and Corporate Conduct
• Serve as the RMI Ethics Officer.
• Promote ethical leadership, integrity, and accountability across the organisation.
• Ensure effective implementation of the Code of Ethics and supporting governance processes.
• Lead ethics awareness and governance education initiatives.
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree (NQF Level 7) in Law, Governance, Corporate Law or a related legal discipline.
• Admitted Attorney
Experience
• Minimum of five (5) years’ management experience with a proven leadership track record.
• Extensive experience in corporate governance, legal advisory services, compliance management and enterprise risk management.
• Experience engaging at Board, Committee and Executive Leadership level.
• Experience managing external legal advisors, regulatory relationships and complex legal matters.
Knowledge and Skills
The successful candidate will possess:
• Extensive knowledge of corporate governance principles and best practices.
• Sound understanding of South African legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong legal drafting, contract negotiation and legal advisory capability.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Exceptional report-writing and communication skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking ability.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capability.
Leadership Competencies
We are looking for a leader who demonstrates:
• Strategic focus and sound judgement.
• Exceptional integrity and professionalism.
• Strong leadership and accountability.
• The ability to influence and engage at Board and Executive level.
• Decisive insight and effective decision-making.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• High attention to detail and organisational capability.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality and discretion.
Closing date for applications: 13 July 2026
NB: People from designated groups are encouraged to apply.
All applications should be forwarded to the undersigned.
