Fraud Strategy Lead

Meet Ozow

Ozow is a leading fintech company that's redefining digital payments in South Africa and beyond. We're dedicated to making payments more accessible, secure, and convenient for both businesses and consumers. As a fast-growing player in the financial technology sector, Ozow fosters a culture of innovation, diversity, and inclusivity. We believe in pushing the boundaries of what's possible and are committed to making a positive impact on the world through our payment solutions.   

More about this Ozow fantastic position 

We’re looking for a Fraud Strategy Lead to take full ownership of Ozow’s fraud strategy and lead the development of a world-class fraud prevention function. This is a high-impact role reporting directly to the Chief Legal Officer, ideal for a fraud knowledge expert with deep experience in financial services and a passion for building scalable, compliant, and innovative fraud frameworks. You’ll be instrumental in shaping Ozow’s fraud posture, driving strategic initiatives, and influencing cross-functional teams across the business

Your role and responsibilities

Drive Strategic Excellence 

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fraud prevention strategy tailored to Ozow’s product and merchant landscape.
• Monitor global fraud trends and regulatory changes to proactively adapt internal policies and systems.
• Identify opportunities to commercialise fraud capabilities as value-added services for merchants.

Operational Execution 

• Manage fraud investigations and reporting, ensuring timely resolution and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Establish and maintain fraud-related SLAs across internal teams and external vendors.
• Support merchant onboarding and transaction monitoring from a fraud risk perspective.

Fraud Rule Engine & Automation Enhancement 

• Oversee the design and implementation of fraud detection rules, workflows, and escalation procedures.
• Ensure fraud systems are optimised for accuracy, speed, and scalability.
• Partner with data and engineering teams to enhance fraud tooling and automation.

Leadership 

• Lead the fraud strategy across the organisation, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and business objectives.
• Act as the subject matter expert on fraud, guiding internal teams and external partners on best practices and emerging threats.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to define and evolve Ozow’s fraud risk posture.

Tool Utilization + Change Management 

• Develop and maintain documentation, policies, and processes related to fraud systems. 
• Lead the implementation of fraud detection software and integrations (e.g., TransUnion, rule engines). 
• Champion automation and AI-driven enhancements to improve fraud detection and operational efficiency. 

You are an ideal candidate if you have

• Extensive experience in fraud prevention and risk management within financial services or fintech.
• Proven track record of implementing fraud strategies in highly regulated environments.
• Strong understanding of fraud detection tools, rule engines, and data-driven risk mitigation.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• A proactive mindset and the ability to operate independently in a dynamic, evolving landscape.

 

Your skills and competencies

• You eagerly embrace change, absorb cross-functional skills, and connect ideas across disciplines to drive fresh thinking and innovation. 
• Ability to initiate, develop, maintain and leverage outstanding relationships to influence a wide network, both inside and outside the company. 
• A trailblazer who steps up, takes charge, and creates meaningful impact—those driven by performance and purpose to lead from the front and make a real difference every day. 
• You thrive in collaboration, embrace inclusion, and bring a genuine curiosity for global cultures—valuing collective success over individual credit. 
• Demonstrate strategic foresight, sound judgement, and the ability to make confident decisions under uncertainty, always working toward the best possible outcomes. 
• You challenge norms, champion innovation, and constantly seek growth—for themselves, their team, and the solutions they build. 
• You are a decisive doer—those who take initiative, follow through with confidence, and ensure results through courageous, hands-on leadership. 
• We value optimism, agility, and the strength to persevere under pressure—balancing performance with positivity, even in challenging environments. 
• You are driven, proactive individuals who take ownership, face challenges with grit, and consistently push for excellence—not just as participants, but as catalysts for success. 

Interview process 

During the interview process you will meet with the People team, the hiring manager, and relevant CSuite. Be prepared to complete a technical assessment that will showcase your skills.  

In office perks 

• Healthy breakfast, lunches and snacks
• Monthly team connects 
• On-site Barista 
• Birthday Leave

Perks for South African based employees

• Medical aid subsidy
• Group Risk Insurance
• Generous paid annual leave   
• Birthday leave
• Learning and Development opportunities 
• Mentorship programme
• Quarterly team building 
• Community initiatives 
• Access to cutting edge technology - Ozow Tech Stack

Our Employee Value Proposition

Join Ozow and become part of an elite force that challenges the ordinary and achieves the extraordinary. If you're driven to make an impact, embrace challenges, and seek unparalleled opportunities for growth, your journey starts here.

Compliance

As a fintech company, we prioritize data security, confidentiality, regulatory and compliance. Due to the sensitive nature of our work, we require individuals with a high level of integrity and trustworthiness to ensure adherence to financial regulations and industry standards. Given the sensitive nature of our work, all employees are expected to demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and a commitment to ethical conduct in line with financial regulations and industry standards

Ready to be exceptional? Apply now! 

Keen to know more? 

Interested in joining our rocket ship?  

To find out more about life at Ozow, head over to our Careers Page here!