At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance for a fast-growing FinTech firm and shape regulatory strategies.
- Company: Dynamic international financial services organisation in the payments and crypto space.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Engage with regulators and senior leadership in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on compliance while driving innovation in a rapidly evolving industry.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in regulated financial services with strong UK regulatory knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
A rapidly growing international financial services and payments organisation is seeking an experienced and commercially focused Head of Compliance to lead its UK regulatory framework while helping shape the firm's broader regulatory and product strategy. This is a highly visible leadership position that combines responsibility for UK regulated activities with strategic oversight of compliance advisory across product innovation, market expansion, and licensing initiatives. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring regulatory obligations are met while enabling business growth in a fast-evolving financial services environment. The role would suit an individual who enjoys operating at both strategic and operational levels, engaging directly with regulators, executive stakeholders, and product teams to build scalable compliance solutions that support innovation.
Key Responsibilities
- Regulatory Leadership
- Act as the Head of Compliance for the firm's UK regulated entities.
- Maintain and enhance the compliance framework, ensuring adherence to all applicable regulatory requirements.
- Lead regulatory engagement and relationship management with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Oversee regulatory reporting, governance arrangements, monitoring programmes, and compliance assurance activities.
- Ensure effective management of safeguarding obligations, audit findings, regulatory actions, and remediation programmes.
- Provide leadership and direction across second-line compliance activities and risk oversight.
- Product Governance & Compliance Advisory
- Partner closely with product, technology, and commercial teams to embed compliance considerations throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Provide strategic compliance input on new products, services, and business initiatives.
- Support the implementation of a compliance-by-design framework across the organisation.
- Conduct regulatory assessments, gap analyses, and approval reviews for new products and business propositions.
- Deliver pragmatic, commercially focused guidance that balances innovation with regulatory expectations.
- International Expansion & Licensing
- Support the firm's growth strategy through regulatory analysis of new markets and jurisdictions.
- Advise on licensing requirements, regulatory permissions, and market-entry considerations.
- Assess regulatory implications of international expansion initiatives and emerging business models.
- Monitor global regulatory developments and emerging trends to ensure the business remains well-positioned for future opportunities.
- Governance & Stakeholder Management
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, executive committees, and boards.
- Present clear and concise updates on regulatory developments, compliance risks, and remediation activities.
- Develop meaningful compliance management information (MI), key risk indicators (KRIs), and reporting frameworks.
- Promote a strong culture of compliance and ethical conduct throughout the organisation.
- Represent the compliance function across governance forums, committees, and strategic projects.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate is likely to possess:
- 10+ years' experience within regulated financial services, including payments, e-money, banking, fintech, digital assets, or related sectors.
- Proven experience operating as a Head of Compliance, Deputy Head of Compliance, Compliance Director, or in a similarly senior compliance leadership role.
- Strong working knowledge of UK regulatory requirements, including:
- Payment Services Regulations (PSRs)
- Electronic Money Regulations (EMRs)
- FCA Handbook requirements
- Safeguarding obligations
- UK AML, Financial Crime, Sanctions, and CTF frameworks
- Experience engaging directly with regulators and managing regulatory relationships.
- Proven ability to advise on product governance, regulatory change, and business transformation initiatives.
- Experience supporting new licensing applications, regulatory permissions, or international expansion projects.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at Board and Executive Committee level.
- A commercial mindset and the ability to provide practical, risk-based solutions within a growth-oriented business.
- Professional compliance qualifications such as ICA, ACAMS, or equivalent.
Head of Compliance in London employer: fs talent
Join a dynamic and rapidly growing international financial services organisation in London, where you will play a pivotal role as the Head of Compliance. Our hybrid work culture promotes flexibility and collaboration, while our commitment to employee development ensures you have ample opportunities for growth and advancement. With a focus on innovation and regulatory excellence, we offer a unique environment that empowers you to shape compliance strategies that drive business success in the fast-evolving fintech landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance in London
✨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
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
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 fs talent looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance in London
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 fs 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 fs 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 fs talent’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
