Head of Financial Sector Policy

About the role

Krutham, a research and consulting firm focused on financial markets, development and policy, is hiring a Head of Financial Sector Policy. This is a senior role engaging as a peer with chief executives and boards of financial services companies, regulators, government officials and politicians. About half the time is spent on Operation Phumelela, an industry-led initiative to improve South Africa's financial sector competitiveness, for which Krutham acts as secretariat; the rest leads Krutham's impact investing and other financial services projects, with a focus on regulatory development. The role reports to the principal for impact capital and is based in Sandton, Johannesburg or Cape Town.

Key responsibilities

• Operation Phumelela (about 50%): drive the policy and regulatory reform agenda with regulators and policymakers, moving reforms from proposal to implementation
• Draft and review regulatory proposals, comment letters and technical papers, including detailed drafting of regulatory provisions
• Lead and coordinate working groups of industry experts and prepare papers and presentations for the steering committee
• Build and maintain relationships with industry leaders, regulators, senior officials and politicians
• Track regulatory, legislative and tax policy developments, including through the budget cycle
• Represent Operation Phumelela at public forums, webinars and in the media
• Impact investing and financial sector policy (about 50%): lead regulatory development in impact investing and outcomes-based finance, including policy frameworks for outcomes funds, blended finance and private capital
• Support projects on retirement fund and investment regulation, infrastructure finance, financial inclusion, banking policy and capital market development
• Produce policy analysis, client reports and submissions to regulators and policymakers
• Contribute to business development and mentor junior analysts

Required profile

• Experience in a financial sector policymaking role at a regulator or supervising department
• At least 10 years' experience in financial sector policy, regulation or related advisory work
• Postgraduate degree in economics, finance, law, public policy or a related field; a PhD or legal qualification is advantageous
• Deep knowledge of South Africa's regulatory architecture, including the Twin Peaks framework, exchange control and the process of developing legislation, regulations and circulars
• Track record of turning policy analysis into drafted rules, circulars, legislation or formal submissions
• Credibility and presence to engage chief executives, boards, ministers and parliamentary committees, and to chair working groups of senior industry experts

Desirable

• Excellent writing skills, able to move from a technical comment letter to a persuasive op-ed
• A strong network across regulators, National Treasury and the financial services industry
• Knowledge of or strong interest in impact investing, outcomes-based finance, retirement fund regulation or capital market development
• Judgement and discretion with confidential, market-sensitive information

To apply, submit a personally written cover letter and a CV of no more than four pages, addressing policymaking experience, the most significant policy change delivered, notice period and availability to start. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the deadline is 29 November 2026.