At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance and governance in a dynamic law firm, shaping its strategic direction.
- Company: Innovative law firm focused on growth and digital transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to influence the organisation's growth and reputation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by embedding a strong compliance culture in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Experience in legal compliance or regulatory law; strong understanding of governance frameworks.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Haggerty Jaques is delighted to be instructed on a sole agency basis to recruit a Head of Compliance for this innovative law firm.
This is a senior, high-impact role at a particularly exciting stage of the organisation's growth. Operating at the intersection of legal services, risk management and digital innovation, the business supports a large and diverse client base across the UK. As it continues to scale, there is a clear focus on strengthening governance, enhancing operational discipline and ensuring a robust, forward-looking compliance framework.
Reporting directly to the Director of Legal Services, you will take ownership of the compliance and professional standards function - hands-on initially but having a greater strategic focus as the business evolves.
You will lead and shape the organisation's approach to legal compliance, risk and governance, ensuring alignment with a complex and evolving regulatory landscape. Key responsibilities will include:
- Setting the strategic direction for compliance and professional standards
- Developing and maintaining policies, procedures and guidance
- Overseeing compliance monitoring, audit frameworks and reporting
- Driving a strong risk culture and regulatory adherence
- Ownership of the Risk Register and wider risk management processes
- Managing regulatory obligations (including SRA compliance, breach reporting and PI claims)
- Overseeing complaints handling and conflicts processes
- Supporting training and development initiatives alongside L&D
- Leading and developing the Professional Standards team
We are open to a range of backgrounds for this role. You may be:
- A qualified lawyer with experience in legal compliance / governance or regulatory law; or
- A compliance professional from a regulated environment (e.g. insurance or financial services).
You will bring:
- A strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, SRA requirements and governance
- Experience of designing or operating compliance frameworks, audit or risk programmes
- The ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders
- A commercial, pragmatic and solutions-focused mindset
- Confidence operating in a growing, evolving business environment
- The ability to communicate complex issues in a clear and accessible way
- Previous team leadership experience would be beneficial, but is not essential.
This is a genuinely exciting opportunity to lead and develop a compliance function within a business that is doing things differently. You will play a key role in:
- Embedding a strong compliance and risk culture
- Supporting the organisation through its next phase of growth
- Influencing the quality, governance and reputation of the wider business
Haggerty Jaques is committed to promoting equality and diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of background.
Head of Compliance employer: Haggerty Jaques Limited
Contact Detail:
Haggerty Jaques Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and compliance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their compliance framework and recent developments in the regulatory landscape. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Compliance. Highlight your strategic thinking and ability to influence stakeholders – these are key in this high-impact position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love hearing from candidates who are excited about joining us and making a difference in compliance and governance.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in compliance, risk management, and governance. We want to see how your background aligns with the exciting role we're offering!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how you've applied them in real-world scenarios. Use specific examples that reflect your understanding of regulatory frameworks and your ability to influence stakeholders.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when discussing complex compliance issues. Make it easy for us to see your strengths!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of your application being seen, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can ensure your application reaches the right people without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haggerty Jaques Limited
✨Know Your Compliance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest regulatory frameworks and SRA requirements. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with compliance but are genuinely passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've set strategic directions in previous roles. Think about times when you developed policies or procedures that improved compliance or risk management. This will demonstrate your ability to think ahead and align with the firm's growth.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to talk about your experience influencing senior stakeholders. Share specific instances where your communication skills made a difference in driving compliance initiatives. This is key for a role that requires collaboration across various teams.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Potential
Even if you haven't led a team before, think about how you've supported training or development initiatives. Highlight any mentoring experiences or ways you've contributed to building a strong compliance culture. This will show you're ready to take on a leadership role.