Head of Compliance in Leeds, Yorkshire

Competitive Salary Plus Bonus & Benefits

Yorkshire (With Hybrid Working)

Haggerty Jaques is delighted to be instructed on a sole agency basis to recruit a Head of Compliance for this innovative law firm.

The Opportunity

This is a senior, high-impact role at a particularly exciting stage of the organisations 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.

The Role

You will lead and shape the organisations 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

Where a candidate is interested and has relevant experience, there is also scope to become the firms COLP.

The Ideal Candidate

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.

Why This Role?

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

For more information and a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact Haggerty Jaques Katie Haggerty and Amy Jaques on 07740 662995 or 07974 131939.

Please be aware that Haggerty Jaques only advertises on mainstream websites such as LinkedIn and Total Jobs. Adverts appearing on any third-party platforms have been published without permission, may not be accurate, and any application you make on those sites will not reach us for consideration. Any references to PQE are provided purely as a guide and should not deter candidates with the relevant skills and experience from applying. Haggerty Jaques is committed to promoting equality and diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of background.