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- Tasks: Lead risk & compliance for a pioneering fintech in Lombard lending.
- Company: Firenze, a fast-growing fintech redefining access to credit.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a leadership role at a category-defining company.
- Qualifications: Strong FCA knowledge and experience in financial crime leadership.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with high-quality colleagues and clear career progression.
The predicted salary is between 84000 - 126000 ÂŁ per year.
At the forefront of using investment portfolios as security for access to credit, Firenze is emerging as the category defining leader in what is known as “Lombard lending”. We already work with some of the UK’s leading wealth management firms to unlock access to what has historically only been available to UHNW clients of private banks. Backed by top tier investors and with significant ambitions to scale (both in the UK and ultimately internationally), Firenze is continuing to scale the team and seeking a Head of Risk & Compliance as we move from undertaking 60h exempt lending to applying for a CCA authorisation. The Head of Risk & Compliance is a senior role, reporting direct to the CEO, to build on the existing governance foundations and scale a robust risk & compliance function at the strategic heart of the business.
Required Experience & Qualifications
- Strong understanding of the FCA Handbook (particularly CONC, COBS, SYSC, COND, PRIN, PROD, DISP and SMCR) & relevant legislation (particularly Consumer Credit Act, Regulated Activities Order, Financial Promotions Order and Money Laundering Regulations)
- Financial crime leadership experience having previously been a SMF17 (MLRO) or significant experience as a deputy MLRO with clear capability and appetite to be appointed as Firenze's SMF17
- Experience with lending to consumers in either a private banking/HNW context or a CCA regulated environment with the ability to engage confidently on credit structuring, disclosures, affordability, and conduct risk trade-offs
- Experience of product governance with a good understanding of consumer duty
- Good understanding of and interest in financial markets and investment products
- Experience of governance in a regulated firm
- A desire to have a high impact in an early stage growth firm, ensuring good governance goes hand in hand with scaling
- Intellectually curious and willing to keep constantly learning
- Roll‑up sleeves attitude to get stuck in to a variety of areas as the team scales
- Happy to be in either the Manchester or London office at least 2 days a week (and willing to commute to London periodically if Manchester based)
Desired Requirements
- Have previously been a SMF16 or acted in a supporting role to a SMF16 role holder in a Consumer Credit firm
- Experience of working with wealth management and/or investment platforms and overseeing retail distribution
- Specific experience of Lombard lending
- Experience of working within a fintech/start‑up environment
- Have successfully put together a regulatory business plan and supporting policies for an FCA licence related to credit activities
- Legal or legal‑adjacent experience
- Experience reviewing/approving financial promotions
- Understanding of/experience with CRR/Basel Rules
- Understanding of different financing arrangements/experience of collaborating with third‑party funders
- Experience having worked in multiple jurisdictions
Responsibilities
- Overall responsibility for ensuring Firenze’s Lombard lending solution is delivered in a compliant and customer focused way
- Undertaking MLRO responsibilities/acting as SMF17 and building on existing processes on combatting financial crime, KYC/AML reviews, EDD and transaction monitoring
- Review of existing products and processes and oversight of new product launches to ensure they, and their distribution processes, are compliant with relevant legislation and guidance (eg. CCA, CONC, Consumer Duty)
- Leadership of internal committees covering various risk & compliance areas (eg. conduct risk, credit risk, operational risk, financial crime, regulatory compliance, product approval etc.)
- Liaising with the board and board risk committee to ensure a robust overall organisational governance structure
- Horizon scanning of relevant legislation impacting Firenze, our lending solution and our distribution partners
- Ownership of compliance monitoring plan & ensuring strong compliance framework throughout Firenze
- 2LoD monitoring of Firenze employees and oversight/monitoring of wealth management distribution channels
- Training & support for Firenze employees and supporting the training of external distributors
- Liaising with regulatory bodies (particularly with the FCA)
- Collaborate with third‑party funders on risk & governance oversight
- Review and approval of financial promotions
- Lead the build out of the team and the risk & compliance infrastructure in line with growth to ensure a scaling of robust governance
What’s in it for you?
- A career defining role where you will play an instrumental role in scaling a category leading fintech company
- A leadership role in a business that puts risk & compliance central to decision making and an opportunity for significant influence in overall business strategy
- Growth opportunity where you will be able to push yourself through new experiences & developing new skills
- Opportunity to build and scale your own team and to be pivotal in international expansion
- Initial base salary of ÂŁ100k+ if meet essential requirements and potential for ÂŁ150k+ if meets desired requirements
- Meaningful equity in a high growth business backed by leading investors and with the potential to make outsized equity upside
- Transparent growth of benefits & team bonuses in line with business milestones
- Collaborative environment with high quality colleagues that push, challenge & support each other
How to apply
If you’re excited about finding out if it is a mutual fit then please apply via LinkedIn, the website or send your CV to hello@firenzeme.com. Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Firenze by 2x.
Head of Risk & Compliance employer: Firenze
Contact Detail:
Firenze Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Risk & Compliance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance and compliance sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand Firenze’s approach to Lombard lending and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your background and how it relates to the Head of Risk & Compliance role. Keep it concise and impactful – think of it as your personal brand statement that highlights your unique skills and experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you another chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for Firenze.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Risk & Compliance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Make sure you really understand the FCA Handbook and relevant legislation. We want to see that you can confidently engage with credit structuring and compliance, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Tailor Your CV: When applying, tailor your CV to highlight your experience in financial crime leadership and lending environments. We love seeing how your background aligns with our needs, so make it clear why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Risk & Compliance role.
Show Your Passion: Let us know why you’re excited about working in a fintech/start-up environment. We’re looking for someone who’s not just qualified but also genuinely interested in scaling a business like Firenze, so share your enthusiasm!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Firenze
✨Know Your Regulations
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the FCA Handbook and relevant legislation like the Consumer Credit Act. Brush up on key sections such as CONC and COBS, as these will likely come up in conversation. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're serious about compliance.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your experience with financial crime leadership and product governance. If you've been an SMF17 or deputy MLRO, be ready to discuss how you tackled challenges in those positions and what impact you had on compliance frameworks.
✨Demonstrate Your Curiosity
Firenze values intellectual curiosity, so come prepared with questions about their current risk and compliance strategies. This shows that you're not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to their growth and adapt to new regulations.
✨Be Ready to Roll Up Your Sleeves
This role requires a hands-on approach, so be prepared to discuss how you've previously engaged in various areas of risk and compliance. Share examples where you took initiative to improve processes or lead teams, demonstrating your willingness to get involved as the company scales.
