At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance for a new sports betting operator and drive regulatory applications.
- Company: Exciting London-based startup backed by a profitable tech group.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for rapid career growth into a CCO role.
- Why this job: Join a founding team and shape the future of community-driven sports betting.
- Qualifications: Experience with UKGC licensing and a passion for compliance.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
About HYPES
HYPES SB UK LTD is a London-based, social-first online sports betting operator preparing to launch in the United Kingdom under a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) operating licence. We are backed by Reazon Holdings, a profitable Tokyo-headquartered technology group with operations across Japan, Singapore and Vietnam. Our ambition is to redefine sports betting as a community-driven entertainment experience, built on rigorous compliance and player protection from day one.
The Opportunity
We are appointing a Head of Compliance to serve as our regulatory "right person" before the UKGC, drive our operating licence application alongside our external advisors, and build HYPES's compliance function from scratch. You will hold the Specified Management Office for the gambling regulatory compliance function under LCCP 1.2.1 and will apply for a UKGC Personal Management Licence (PML) promptly upon appointment, with full coaching and support from our external advisors. This role is fully focused on compliance, licensing and regulatory engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- UKGC Licensing & Personal Management Licence (Day-One Mission) - Drive the UKGC operating licence application alongside our external counsel and consultants - Apply for and obtain your own PML, and assume the Specified Management Office under LCCP 1.2.1 - Coordinate PML applications for other key persons (CEO, finance, marketing, IT, AML/MLRO) - Determine and operationalise the MLRO model - Brief and direct external gambling counsel and consultants
- Regulatory Compliance & Operations - Ensure end-to-end compliance with LCCP and Gambling Act 2005, including post-White-Paper reforms - Build and run the AML/CTF programme aligned with MLR 2017, POCA 2002, Terrorism Act 2000 and JMLSG guidance - Operate the safer gambling framework: customer interaction, affordability checks, GAMSTOP, self-exclusion, statutory levy - Own UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 compliance - Sign off marketing under CAP/BCAP, ASA and IGRG codes - Ensure platform meets Remote Technical Standards (RTS)
- Policy, Training & Culture - Author and maintain the full compliance policy stack - Roll out company-wide compliance training and competency testing - Drive a culture of compliance from the top
- Regulator & Stakeholder Engagement - Act as primary point of contact with the UKGC - Engage with industry bodies, test houses and external auditors - Manage regulatory aspects of partner relationships
- Risk, Audit & Reporting - Run annual and event-driven compliance and AML risk assessments - Plan and execute internal compliance audits - Lead incident response and breach notification - Deliver decision-grade compliance reporting to CEO, Board and Reazon Group
- Cross-Functional Leadership - Embed compliance into Product, Tech, Trading, Marketing, CS and Finance workflows - Coordinate with Reazon Group entities on cross-border compliance - Operate as a one-person function at launch, then recruit and develop a team
Must-Have Requirements
- Hands-on involvement in at least one UKGC operating licence application, material variation, or PML process (as lead, deputy or active contributor)
- PML eligibility with a clean professional and personal record
- 4-6 years in a UK-licensed online gambling operator, B2B supplier, the UKGC, or specialist gambling compliance consultancy
- Working knowledge of LCCP, MLR 2017 / JMLSG, POCA, Terrorism Act 2000, UK GDPR, RTS and the safer-gambling framework
- Exposure to UKGC engagement (Key Event reporting, regulatory returns, audits or compliance assessments)
- Founder mindset: able to operate hands-on as a one-person function from launch
- Commercial pragmatism: able to translate regulation into commercial decisions
- Outstanding written and spoken English, high ethical standards
- Challenger mindset: question received industry conventions, design compliance as competitive advantage
- AI-driven operating model: actively design AI into day-to-day work
- Pioneer energy: energised by new products, new teams and a blank page
- Appetite to break the mould and reinvent compliance as a craft
Strongly Preferred
- An existing UKGC PML in good standing
- ICA, ACAMS or equivalent compliance / financial-crime certification, or qualified MLRO experience
- Sports betting (fixed-odds, in-play, exchange or pool) compliance experience
- Law degree (LLB / JD) or qualified solicitor (England & Wales)
- Experience with multi-jurisdictional licensing (MGA Malta, IoM, Gibraltar, Ontario, etc.)
- Direct experience implementing the Gambling Act Review White Paper reforms
- Familiarity with the sportsbook supplier ecosystem (sports data, trading, KYC, payments, geolocation)
Nice to Have
- Experience launching a brand-new B2C operator or entering a new regulated market
- Familiarity with social, community-driven or media-style betting products
- Interest in or exposure to Japanese / Asia-Pacific markets
- Multi-language capability
What We Offer
- Salary range: £80,000 – £100,000 base, plus discretionary performance bonus
- Founding-team membership with direct CEO and Board access
- Long-term backing of Reazon Holdings — runway to build the function the right way
- A small, AI-native founding team that prizes pace, intellectual honesty and getting things done
- Hybrid working from our London office
Right to Work UK-based candidates only at this stage. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship; we expect to expand sponsorship capability later in 2026.
How to Apply
Please send your CV together with a short cover note covering: (i) your most recent UKGC operating licence experience (ii) your current PML status (held / applied / eligible) (iii) your earliest realistic start date. We review applications on a rolling basis and will move quickly for candidates we are excited about.
Head of Compliance in Slough employer: HYPES
HYPES SB UK LTD is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the compliance landscape of the online sports betting industry. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the unique opportunity to build the compliance function from the ground up while working closely with the CEO and Board, all within a dynamic, AI-driven environment that values innovation and community engagement. Our London-based office offers a collaborative culture, hybrid working options, and the chance to be part of a founding team backed by a profitable technology group, ensuring a rewarding and meaningful career path.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially around compliance and player protection. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on articulating your experience with UKGC licensing and compliance, as this is crucial for the Head of Compliance role.
✨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 seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and submit your CV along with that killer cover note!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Compliance role. Highlight your relevant experience with UKGC licensing and compliance, and don’t forget to showcase any hands-on involvement you've had in similar processes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Note:Your cover note is your chance to shine! Keep it concise but impactful. Address your recent UKGC operating licence experience, your current PML status, and when you can start. We want to see your passion for compliance!
Showcase Your Challenger Mindset:We love candidates who think outside the box! In your application, mention how you've questioned industry norms or designed compliance as a competitive advantage. This will show us you're the right fit for our innovative team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered promptly. We review applications on a rolling basis, so get yours in early!
How to prepare for a job interview at HYPES
✨Know Your Compliance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the UKGC licensing process and the LCCP regulations. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience with compliance in the UK gambling sector will show that you're not just familiar with the rules, but that you can apply them effectively.
✨Show Your Founder Mindset
HYPES is looking for someone who can operate as a one-person function at launch. Be ready to share examples of how you've taken initiative in previous roles, especially in building or improving compliance functions. This will demonstrate your ability to think like a founder and tackle challenges head-on.
✨Engage with the Culture of Compliance
Talk about how you've fostered a culture of compliance in past positions. Share specific strategies you've used to roll out training or engage teams in compliance practices. This will highlight your understanding of the importance of compliance beyond just the legal aspects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Engagement
Since you'll be the primary point of contact with the UKGC, prepare to discuss your experience in engaging with regulators. Bring examples of how you've managed relationships with regulatory bodies and how you’ve navigated compliance audits or assessments in the past.
