At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance and financial crime functions, ensuring regulatory adherence and risk management.
- Company: International bank with a strong focus on compliance and governance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to mentor and develop junior professionals.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a key leadership position within a regulated environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive compliance experience and knowledge of UK regulations required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
An international bank is seeking an experienced Head of Compliance & MLRO to lead the Compliance and Financial Crime function for its FCA and PRA regulated UK Branch. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining an effective compliance and financial crime framework that supports the bank's strategic objectives while ensuring compliance with all applicable UK regulatory requirements. Acting as the approved SMF16 and SMF17, the individual will serve as the principal point of contact with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), National Crime Agency (NCA) and other relevant regulatory authorities. This role requires a commercially minded compliance leader capable of providing pragmatic regulatory advice whilst maintaining the highest standards of governance, conduct and risk management.
Key Responsibilities
- Regulatory Compliance
- Act as the UK Branch's SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (MLRO).
- Develop, maintain and oversee the Compliance Monitoring Programme.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable FCA, PRA and UK regulatory requirements.
- Advise senior management on regulatory developments and emerging risks.
- Lead the implementation of new regulatory requirements and regulatory change initiatives.
- Maintain the branch's compliance policies, procedures and governance framework.
- Oversee regulatory reporting and statutory submissions.
- Provide regulatory advice to business lines and support new product approvals.
- Deliver compliance training across the organisation.
- Financial Crime
- Maintain the Branch's Financial Crime Framework.
- Act as the Nominated Officer under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
- Review and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the National Crime Agency.
- Oversee AML, CTF, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption and fraud risk frameworks.
- Ensure effective Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and ongoing monitoring processes.
- Monitor financial crime risks and emerging typologies.
- Manage sanctions screening and transaction monitoring oversight.
- Lead financial crime risk assessments and control testing.
- Governance & Risk
- Provide independent challenge to senior management and business functions.
- Attend Executive, Risk, Audit, Compliance and Board Committees.
- Produce Management Information (MI), Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and regulatory reporting.
- Oversee regulatory breaches and incident reporting.
- Manage thematic reviews and internal investigations.
- Support Internal Audit and External Audit reviews.
- Coordinate regulatory inspections and supervisory visits.
- Regulatory Engagement
- Build and maintain constructive relationships with the FCA and PRA.
- Manage all regulatory correspondence.
- Lead responses to regulatory enquiries and information requests.
- Coordinate Skilled Person Reviews (Section 166) where required.
- Support authorisations, permissions and regulatory change projects.
- Leadership
- Lead and develop the UK Compliance and Financial Crime team.
- Promote a strong culture of integrity, ethics and conduct.
- Mentor and develop junior compliance professionals.
- Manage departmental budgets and resource planning.
- Work collaboratively with Global Compliance, Risk, Legal and Internal Audit teams.
Key Regulatory Knowledge
- Strong knowledge of FCA Handbook
- PRA Rulebook
- Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR)
- UK Money Laundering Regulations
- Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA)
- Terrorism Act
- Financial Services & Markets Act (FSMA)
- Consumer Duty
- Conduct Risk
- Market Abuse Regulation (UK MAR)
- CASS (where applicable)
- Sanctions Regulations
- FCA Financial Crime Guide
- JMLSG Guidance
Experience Required
- Significant Compliance and Financial Crime leadership experience within an FCA and PRA regulated bank.
- Previous approval or eligibility for SMF16 and SMF17.
- Experience engaging directly with UK regulators.
- Strong knowledge of wholesale banking, corporate banking and capital markets regulatory requirements.
- Experience developing Compliance Monitoring Programmes.
- Demonstrable experience managing AML, sanctions and financial crime frameworks.
- Experience leading regulatory change initiatives.
- Previous management of regulatory inspections and audits.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills across Executive and Board level.
Qualifications
- Degree educated or equivalent.
- ICA Advanced Certificate/Diploma (preferred).
- ACAMS Certification (preferred).
- Relevant legal, risk or compliance qualifications advantageous.
Head of Compliance & MLRO SMF16 & SMF17 in Slough employer: ETRA Talent
ETRA Talent is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture in the heart of London, offering employees the chance to thrive in a collaborative environment focused on compliance excellence. With a commitment to professional development, we provide ample opportunities for growth and advancement, ensuring our team members are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of financial regulations while contributing to the commercial success of our institutional markets. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation and integrity in the financial sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance & MLRO SMF16 & SMF17 in Slough
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
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Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like ETRA Talent looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance & MLRO SMF16 & SMF17 in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at ETRA Talent. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at ETRA Talent
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with ETRA Talent’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
