At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale the compliance function in a fast-growing fintech environment.
- Company: Dynamic digital wealth platform transforming how professionals manage their money.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and a collaborative team culture.
- Why this job: Shape compliance culture and influence the future of retail wealth.
- Qualifications: Strong compliance experience in regulated finance and leadership skills.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work across diverse financial products and drive impactful change.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Cardiff (3-4 days per week on-site)
Industry: Digital Wealth / FinTech
About the Company
We are representing a fast-growing digital wealth platform that is reinventing how modern professionals build, manage, and grow their money. This company is on a mission to open up wealth-building tools traditionally reserved for private banks and ultra-high-net-worth clients. Their product suite spans savings, investments, lending, alternative assets, and soon, financial advice - all delivered through a modern, tech-led ecosystem. In just over a year, they have grown to over £125M in AUM, with a bold trajectory to scale beyond £1B in the next two years. They are still a relatively small team, but scaling quickly - meaning culture matters deeply: collaborative, ambitious, hands-on, and driven by building something truly industry-changing. This is the kind of environment where people roll up their sleeves, work smart, challenge norms, and build the infrastructure of a future category leader.
The Role
As Head of Compliance & MLRO, you will take ownership of the compliance function during a transformational phase in the company's growth. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives in a scale-up, enjoys shaping processes from the ground up, and is excited to work across multiple product verticals. You will be the key figure ensuring the firm remains safe, ethical, and fully compliant as it expands its offerings and regulatory footprint.
- Build, lead, and scale the compliance function as the organisation moves into a new phase of accelerated growth.
- Embed compliance across product, engineering, operations, and commercial teams, turning it into a company-wide discipline, not a silo.
- Design efficient, technology-enabled processes and controls, including spot checks, monitoring frameworks, and governance structures.
- Lead on key regulatory milestones, including variation of permissions and future enhancements to client money permissions.
- Partner with product teams to influence regulatory strategy, customer journeys, and product design.
- Support the development and rollout of an upcoming financial advice proposition.
- Own SMF16/17 responsibilities, with full support for someone stepping into these responsibilities for the first time, if you have the capability and appetite to grow.
Why This Role Is Exciting
- High product variety: You will work across savings, investing, lending, and alternative assets, ideal for someone who enjoys multi-discipline environments.
- Complexity & impact: Every new product and regulatory milestone will require your expertise, making this a genuinely impactful role.
- Scaling phase: This business is transitioning from start-up to scale-up, meaning you will shape the compliance culture, frameworks, and long-term strategy.
- A true builder role: Perfect for someone who enjoys being hands-on, proactive, and involved in company-wide decision-making.
- A challenge worth taking: The ambition is big, the mission is meaningful, and the opportunity to influence is enormous.
Who We Are Looking For
- Essential
- Strong compliance experience within a regulated financial environment, ideally financial advice, wealth management, savings, investments, or broader retail finance.
- Proven track record in a fast-growth environment (fintech/scale-up preferred).
- Demonstrated ability to build or scale a compliance function.
- Confident working across multiple product types and regulatory disciplines.
- Strong leadership and coaching skills, enabling teams rather than doing every task yourself.
- High integrity, personal accountability, and a passion for doing things the right way.
- Desirable
- Experience with SMF16/17 responsibilities (or readiness to step into them).
- Interest in fintech innovation, digital wealth platforms, or broader financial technology.
- Someone who thrives in ambiguity and enjoys variety in their day-to-day work.
What’s On Offer
- A genuine leadership opportunity at a high-growth fintech during a critical scaling phase.
- The chance to influence the future of retail wealth and shape an entire compliance culture.
- Salary of £90,000 - £100,000 equity. Could be negotiable for the right person.
- A collaborative, intelligent, forward-thinking team that values ambition, curiosity, and ownership.
Head of Compliance in Cardiff employer: Identify Solutions
Contact Detail:
Identify Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fintech space. Attend industry events, join relevant 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 those interviews! Research the company thoroughly, especially their compliance practices and recent regulatory changes. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission and how you can help shape their compliance culture as they scale.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on approach! In your conversations, highlight specific examples of how you've built or scaled compliance functions in the past. This is a builder role, so demonstrating your proactive mindset will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re all about making connections and helping you land that dream job. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our ambitious team. Let’s build something amazing together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Compliance role. Highlight your compliance experience in regulated environments and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can bring your unique flair to our fast-growing team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're excited about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don't forget to mention your passion for fintech and how you can help shape our compliance culture as we scale.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to build or scale compliance functions. Numbers speak volumes, so if you’ve improved processes or led successful projects, let us know! We love seeing tangible results.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our journey from the get-go!
How to prepare for a job interview at Identify Solutions
✨Know Your Compliance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your compliance knowledge, especially in the fintech space. Understand the key regulations that affect digital wealth platforms and be ready to discuss how you've navigated these in past roles.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've built or scaled a compliance function before. Highlight your leadership style and how you empower teams, as this role requires someone who can lead from the front while fostering collaboration.
✨Embrace the Challenge
This company is in a scaling phase, so be ready to talk about how you thrive in fast-paced environments. Share experiences where you've successfully managed ambiguity and adapted to rapid changes in a previous role.
✨Align with Their Mission
Research the company's mission and values. Be prepared to explain why you're passionate about making wealth-building tools accessible and how you can contribute to their ambitious goals in compliance and beyond.