Head of Compliance (SMF 16) – Banking – London / Hybrid - Ref: 26033

Location: London Mayfair / Hybrid (4 days in the office)

About the role:

The Head of Compliance (SMF16) is responsible for leading and overseeing the London Branch's compliance framework, ensuring adherence to UK regulatory requirements and Group policies. The role provides independent second‐line oversight, promotes a strong compliance culture, and ensures effective identification, assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of regulatory, conduct, and anti‐bribery and corruption risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective compliance, regulatory reporting, conduct, and anti‐bribery and corruption policies, procedures, monitoring controls, and governance frameworks to ensure adherence to all applicable UK legal and regulatory requirements, as well as relevant Head Office group policies.
• Identify and mitigate regulatory, conduct, and financial crime risks.
• Ensure that compliance, conduct, and anti‐bribery and corruption policies, along with related governance frameworks, are effectively communicated across the Branch and to Head Office, including timely communication of any material updates or changes.
• Review, assess, and manage requests for exceptions or waivers to Branch compliance policies.
• Lead the definition and ongoing maintenance of the Branch's compliance risk appetite, working collaboratively with the MLRO, Branch Senior Management, and relevant Head Office stakeholders.
• Oversee and monitor first‐line activities within the Branch, including outsourced functions, and report on compliance with Branch policies, UK legal and regulatory requirements, and adherence to the Branch's compliance risk appetite. Provide recommendations for remedial actions and improvements where necessary.
• Establish and maintain operating procedures necessary to effectively discharge the responsibilities of the Head of Regulatory Compliance and second‐line compliance monitoring functions.
• Design and implement a methodology for, and conduct, regular Branch‐wide compliance risk and control assessments, providing recommendations for remedial actions and control enhancements.
• Provide Branch Management and Head Office with timely and relevant reporting on regulatory, conduct, and anti‐bribery and corruption risks and operational matters (e.g., conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, expenses, complaints, policy breaches), including recommended corrective actions.
• Keep Branch Management and Head Office informed of relevant legal and regulatory developments and assess their impact on Branch policies and operations, including recommending appropriate actions.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to First Line of Defence teams and Senior Management on regulatory compliance, conduct, and anti‐bribery and corruption risks and controls.
• Design and deliver appropriate role‐based training for First and Second Line of Defence staff on compliance, conduct, anti‐bribery and corruption policies, and applicable legal and regulatory requirements, including Conduct Rules under the Senior Managers Regime.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional standards, skills, and behaviours in carrying out the role, ensuring ongoing compliance with applicable laws, regulations, Branch policies, and codes of conduct, including Senior Manager Conduct Rules.
• Act as the central point of contact for regulatory relationships, coordinating responses to requests for information from regulators and law enforcement agencies.
• Manage regulatory inspections and audits relating to compliance, conduct, governance, and anti‐bribery and corruption, and oversee the implementation and closure of resulting actions.
• Support Branch Management in the handling of legal matters, including coordination with external legal counsel where required.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory reporting obligations and the accurate and timely submission of all required regulatory returns.