Our client is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head of Compliance to lead the second‑line compliance function within a specialist ETF market‑making business. This is a critical leadership position with direct responsibility for the firm's compliance framework, regulatory engagement, and governance oversight.
The successful candidate will hold FCA SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) approval and play a key role in ensuring the firm maintains the highest standards of regulatory compliance, risk management, and conduct across its trading activities.
This is an excellent opportunity for a senior compliance professional with a strong background in market making, principal trading, or sell‑side trading environments to influence strategy and help shape the firm's control framework as it continues to grow.
Key Responsibilities
Compliance Leadership & Regulatory Oversight
- Lead and continuously enhance the firm's compliance framework and monitoring programme.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for FCA engagement and regulatory matters.
- Hold and discharge responsibilities associated with SMF16 Compliance Oversight under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SM&CR).
- Promote a strong culture of compliance, conduct, and accountability across the organisation.
- Support and challenge the firm's risk management framework as part of the second line of defence.
- Lead compliance input into the firm's ICARA process under the Investment Firms Prudential Regime (IFPR).
- Oversee the preparation and submission of annual MIF007 and other regulatory returns.
Market Making & Trading Compliance
- Oversee compliance with market‑making obligations under MiFID II RTS 8 across all trading venues.
- Monitor adherence to quoting requirements, spread obligations, and stressed‑market commitments.
- Provide compliance oversight for ETF market‑making activities and related trading operations.
- Lead the firm's market abuse surveillance programme.
- Calibrate and enhance surveillance systems and alert frameworks.
- Manage STOR assessments and submissions.
- Act as a key liaison with regulators regarding compliance with the UK Market Abuse Regulation (MAR).
Authorised Participant Oversight
- Oversee Authorised Participant (AP) activities and governance.
- Review and maintain AP agreements and operational controls.
- Monitor creation/redemption workflow risks and inventory basis risk.
- Lead the firm's financial crime framework, including AML, sanctions, and anti‑bribery & corruption controls.
- Act as MLRO or provide oversight and support to the MLRO function.
- Drive the firm's operational resilience programme and third‑party risk management framework.
- Oversee regulatory training and awareness initiatives across the business.
About You
You are a senior compliance leader with deep experience operating within FCA‑regulated trading environments. You combine strong regulatory expertise with commercial awareness and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
- Current or previous FCA SMF16 Compliance Oversight approval.
- 10+ years' experience in risk and/or compliance within an FCA‑authorised investment firm.
- Demonstrable senior leadership experience within a regulated financial services business.
- Direct experience within an algorithmic market making, principal trading, or sell‑side trading environment .
- Strong knowledge of:
- MiFID II / MiFIR
- Market Abuse Regulation (MAR)
- IFPR / MIFIDPRU
- Proven experience leading an ICARA process and regulatory reporting submissions.
- Experience designing, implementing, and managing market abuse surveillance programmes for algorithmic or market‑making activities.
- ETF market‑making experience.
- Previous or current SMF17 (MLRO) approval.
- Experience overseeing Authorised Participant (AP) activities and ETF creation/redemption processes.
Why Join Us?
- Opportunity to hold a highly influential regulatory leadership role.
- Work at the heart of a specialist ETF market‑making business.
- Direct engagement with senior leadership and regulators.
- Shape and enhance a mature compliance and risk framework.
- Join a high‑performing, entrepreneurial environment with significant strategic impact.
Apply Now
If you are an FCA‑approved compliance leader with experience in market making, trading, and prudential regulation, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact us confidentially to discuss the opportunity further.
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