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- Tasks: Lead risk & compliance for a pioneering fintech in Lombard lending.
- Company: Firenze, a rapidly scaling fintech with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a high-growth environment while shaping governance strategies.
- Qualifications: Strong FCA knowledge and experience in financial crime leadership required.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and team support.
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)
- 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
- 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
- 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
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.
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Head of Risk & Compliance in London employer: Firenze
Contact Detail:
Firenze Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Risk & Compliance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or mentors. 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 their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the real interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Risk & Compliance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Make sure you have a solid understanding of the FCA Handbook and relevant legislation. This is crucial for the Head of Risk & Compliance role, so don’t just skim through it—dive deep and show us you know your CONC from your COBS!
Tailor Your CV: When applying, customise your CV to highlight your experience in financial crime leadership and lending environments. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs, so make it clear why you're the perfect fit for Firenze.
Show Your Passion: We love candidates who are intellectually curious and eager to learn. In your application, share examples of how you've kept up with industry trends or tackled challenges in previous roles. Let us see that roll-up-your-sleeves attitude!
Apply Through Our Website: While you can apply via LinkedIn or email, we encourage you to submit your application through our website. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application 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 you'll likely be asked to discuss how these apply to risk and compliance in Lombard lending.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare to talk about your previous roles, especially if you've been an SMF17 or deputy MLRO. Highlight specific examples where you've led financial crime initiatives or compliance projects, demonstrating your capability to build robust governance frameworks.
✨Understand the Business Model
Familiarise yourself with Firenze's approach to Lombard lending and how it differs from traditional lending models. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to scaling their operations while ensuring compliance and customer focus.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect situational questions that test your problem-solving skills in compliance scenarios. Think about past experiences where you had to navigate complex regulatory challenges and be prepared to explain your thought process and outcomes.
