Head of Compliance SMF16

Head of Compliance (SMF16) – Retail & Digital Markets

Location: London (Hybrid)

Company: Global Fintech | UK HQ

Employment Type: Full-time | Permanent

Salary: £180,000 per annum plus benefits

Overview:

A leading global fintech firm, headquartered in the UK and renowned for its innovation in retail and digital financial services, is seeking a Head of Compliance (SMF16) to lead its compliance strategy and framework. This is a senior leadership role, pivotal to maintaining regulatory integrity, fostering a strong compliance culture, and supporting sustainable business growth across regulated activities.

The successful candidate will serve as the FCA-approved SMF16 (Head of Compliance), overseeing all compliance and conduct risk functions, and acting as a key advisor to senior management, executive leadership, and relevant governance committees.

Core Responsibilities:

Leadership & Governance:

• Lead the Compliance function, including oversight of regulatory compliance, financial crime, conduct risk, and data protection.
• Act as Chair or member of governance committees, contributing meaningfully to strategic and operational decisions.
• Deliver clear, actionable MI to executive stakeholders, identifying emerging risks and regulatory changes.
• Drive functional efficiency, leveraging automation and technology to enhance compliance operations.

Regulatory Compliance Oversight:

• Develop and maintain a proportionate and robust compliance framework aligned with business activity, FCA expectations, and best practice.
• Ensure compliance with the FCA Conduct Rules, SYSC 6.1.23R, and all applicable MiFID obligations.
• Oversee the firm’s regulatory permissions and ensure they are appropriately mapped to current and future operations.
• Maintain responsibility for ensuring all personal data is processed in accordance with GDPR requirements.

Policies, Procedures & Advisory:

• Develop and maintain up-to-date compliance and conduct policies, ensuring alignment with regulatory change and business evolution.
• Provide guidance and training to staff engaging in regulated activity, with a focus on delivering good outcomes for retail customers.
• Lead on the firm’s annual review of Terms & Conditions, customer documentation, and complaints handling process.

Monitoring & Reporting:

• Design and lead the second-line compliance monitoring programme based on a risk-based Compliance Risk Assessment.
• Conduct thematic reviews and horizon scanning to identify risks and provide strategic recommendations.
• Produce regular, insightful reporting for Boards, Committees, and Regulators where required.

Operational & Risk Responsibilities:

• Act as Operational Risk Coordinator for the department, managing RCSAs, OREs, and remediation tracking.
• Collaborate with the Risk function to ensure accurate assessments of operational risk and outsourcing risks.
• Participate in wider firm governance initiatives including ICAAP, ILAAP, RRP, and the development of the Risk Appetite Framework (RAF).

Key Requirements:

• Previous FCA approved SMF16 experience is essential.
• Extensive experience in regulatory compliance within financial services preferably within banking, retail finance, or digital platforms.
• Deep understanding of FCA rules, MiFID, EMIR, PSD2, SYSC, and conduct frameworks.
• Proven ability to build and maintain a comprehensive second-line control environment.
• Strong leadership skills, with a track record of developing high-performing compliance teams.
• Experience working with UK regulatory bodies and staying ahead of fast-moving regulatory developments.
• Expertise in data protection and operational risk oversight.