Head of Regulatory Compliance, Conduct, Framework & Governance

Equity Bank is a leading Financial Services Institution operating in Kenya. We are seeking a high-caliber professional to provide independent second-line leadership and oversight of the Bank’s Regulatory Compliance and Conduct risk framework. The role ensures full alignment with applicable laws, regulations, and supervisory expectations while maintaining a structured, forward-looking control environment.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the design, implementation, and enhancement of the Bank’s Regulatory Compliance Programme.
• Framework & Policy Ownership: Own and maintain the Regulatory Compliance and Conduct Risk Frameworks, Policies, and Enterprise Obligations Register.
• Risk Integration: Ensure compliance alignment within the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF) including risk registers and control libraries.
• Advisory & Oversight: Provide independent regulatory advisory and second-line oversight on new products, business initiatives, and strategic activities.
• Governance & Reporting: Oversee regulatory correspondence, enquiries, and submissions. Deliver data-driven dashboards and insights to Senior Management, EXCO, and the Board.
• Ethics & Integrity: Manage frameworks covering Speak Up, Conflicts of Interest, Insider Trading, Gifts & Entertainment, and Anti-Bribery/Corruption.
• Regulatory Relationships: Lead the Government and Regulatory Relationship Plan (GRRP) to strengthen interactions with regulators and supervisors.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, or a related field. A Master's degree in Law, Business, or related fields is highly advantageous.
• Professional Certifications: Must hold professional certifications such as Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), ACAMS, or an equivalent qualification.
• Experience: 10+ years of active experience in Compliance, with at least 5–7 years served in a senior leadership role.
• Key Skills: Deep regulatory expertise, strong governance capability, independence of thought to challenge business decisions, and proven experience managing complex regulatory relationships.

• Lead the design, implementation, and enhancement of the Bank’s Regulatory Compliance Programme.
• Own and maintain the Regulatory Compliance and Conduct Risk Frameworks, Policies, and Enterprise Obligations Register.
• Ensure compliance alignment within the Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF) including risk registers and control libraries.
• Provide independent regulatory advisory and second-line oversight on new products, business initiatives, and strategic activities.
• Oversee regulatory correspondence, enquiries, and submissions. Deliver data-driven dashboards and insights to Senior Management, EXCO, and the Board.
• Manage frameworks covering Speak Up, Conflicts of Interest, Insider Trading, Gifts & Entertainment, and Anti-Bribery/Corruption.
• Lead the Government and Regulatory Relationship Plan (GRRP) to strengthen interactions with regulators and supervisors.

• Deep regulatory expertise
• Strong governance capability
• Independence of thought to challenge business decisions
• Proven experience managing complex regulatory relationships

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, or a related field.
• A Master's degree in Law, Business, or related fields is highly advantageous.
• Must hold professional certifications such as Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP), ACAMS, or an equivalent qualification.