CEO of FISA (Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa)

  • Full Time
  • Anywhere

The CEO will provide strategic leadership, direction, and vision to position the Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa (FISA) as the leading professional industry body within South Africa. This role will focus on building strong relationships with stakeholders across multiple regions, managing external partners, and fostering growth opportunities for members. In addition to driving business and financial strategies, the CEO will oversee key industry communications, including weekly newsletters, annual meetings, conferences, and PR -related activities. This role requires extensive stakeholder management, particularly with government and legal bodies, while ensuring operational excellence across the industry.

The ideal incumbent /candidate will have deep fiduciary industry knowledge, a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, and the ability to engage, inspire, and lead through influence, not positional authority. This will specifically relate to the driving of membership numbers and paying close attention to the inflow and outflow of members. The ideal incumbent will need strong analytical and synergic abilities to make sense of information provided to them from across the country. The incumbent will possess proven people management skills and experience and will likely manage and lead a small number of direct reports.

The ideal incumbent/candidate will also be required to drive fund-raising initiatives with 3rd parties to fund and support annual events and regional events.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

  1. Strategic Leadership/Influence – Develop and execute FISA’s long-term strategic vision and goals. Work closely with the Council to set priorities and align organizational efforts with the industry’s evolving needs. Identify emerging trends and challenges in the fiduciary landscape and adjust strategies accordingly.
  2. Stakeholder Management & Influence – Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external key industry stakeholders, including chairpersons at regional levels, members, regulators, government agencies, and other professional bodies. Act as a spokesperson for the industry, advocating for the organization’s positions and representing the industry at conferences, media engagements, and meetings with regulatory bodies. Foster collaboration between regional chapters and members, creating a unified approach to addressing national and international fiduciary issues. This role includes liaising with several other stakeholders such as Public Relations (PR), IT service provider (website maintenance), Event Management Software house, and other ad hoc service providers during the course of the CEO duties and responsibilities.
  3. Industry Advocacy & Regulatory Engagement – Lead the organization’s advocacy efforts, ensuring the industry’s voice is heard in legislative and regulatory processes. Stay informed on regulatory changes, legal requirements, and policy developments that impact the fiduciary industry, ensuring members are informed and equipped to comply. Collaborate with government bodies and regulators to ensure a balanced, forward-looking regulatory environment and influence future legislative development an amendments.
  4. Member Engagement & Professional Development – Drive member engagement by identifying and addressing the needs of fiduciary professionals through programs, resources, and events. Oversee the development of professional development programs, certifications, and networking opportunities that enhance the skills and knowledge of industry professionals. Lead initiatives that increase member participation, satisfaction, and the overall value proposition of membership.
  5. Public Speaking & Representation – Serve as the primary public representative of the organization, speaking at industry events, conferences, and media interviews. Communicate complex regulatory or industry-related issues in an accessible, persuasive manner to diverse audiences. Develop thought leadership content and contribute to the broader conversation around fiduciary issues, risks, and trends. This will include contributing to the weekly newsletter in the form of relevant articles, reviewing content of membership communication, and overall logistics of this weekly publication
  6. Governance & Reporting – Report regularly to the Council on progress toward strategic objectives, providing data-driven insights and analysis. Ensure transparent, ethical, and sound governance practices in accordance with the organization’s constitution, policies, and industry standards. Oversee budgeting, financial management, and compliance to ensure the organization’s financial sustainability. This includes amongst others, monthly management account reporting to regional and national councils, and liaising with external auditors as appropriate.
  7. Collaboration & Regional Coordination – Act as a bridge across six major regions, ensuring that regions are aligned with the national strategic direction. Provide support to regional committees in their efforts to engage local members, advocating for their needs and ensuring consistent messaging and strategies across all regions. An example of this is providing oversight of the events management schedule for FISA, such as the annual general meeting (AGM), regional meetings throughout the year, as well as the annual FISA conference.

Qualifications

  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, Law, Finance, or related field.
  • Master’s degree in business administration, Law, or a related field.
  • Certifications in fiduciary duties or financial planning (e.g. FPSA®, CFP®, TEP).
  • Strong understanding of the regulatory and policy landscape affecting fiduciary duties in the local and international context.

Experience

  • Minimum 10-15 years of experience in a senior leadership role, preferably within the fiduciary, legal, or financial services industry.
  • Proven track record of influencing without direct authority, especially across multiple regions or in industry bodies/associations.
  • Deep knowledge of fiduciary practices, regulations, and compliance requirements.
  • Strong experience in stakeholder management, industry advocacy, and public representation.
  • Prior experience working in or with a voluntary association or non-profit industry body.
  • Experience in public speaking, media engagement, and thought leadership roles.

Skills

  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly.
  • Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders and manage conflict or differing opinions effectively.
  • High ethical standards, with a commitment to promoting integrity and transparency.
  • Familiarity with digital transformation and its impact on fiduciary services.
  • Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-changing environment with competing demands.
  • Advanced negotiation and lobbying skills, especially in interactions with regulatory bodies or government entities.
  • People leadership skills(conflict resolution, delegation, employee alignment)

To apply, please click here. Please attach your CV and any other supporting documentation you wish to include.

Applications close on 28 February 2025.