Head of Compliance & Legal Counsel in London

Head of Compliance & Legal Counsel in London

London Full-Time 100000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Marlin Selection Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead compliance and legal strategies, ensuring top-notch governance and regulatory adherence.
  • Company: Dynamic investment firm focused on compliance excellence and innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape industry standards.
  • Other info: Join a collaborative team dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of governance.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact in compliance while working closely with senior management and regulators.
  • Qualifications: Extensive compliance experience in financial services and strong legal knowledge.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.

This is a senior leadership position offering the opportunity to shape the firm's regulatory framework, advise senior management, and ensure the business continues to operate to the highest standards of governance, compliance and legal excellence.

The successful individual will hold key regulatory responsibilities under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) and act as the firm's principal liaison with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The role would suit an accomplished compliance professional with strong legal acumen, ideally gained within an investment bank, broker-dealer or wholesale financial services environment.

Key Responsibilities

  • Compliance Leadership
  • Lead and oversee the UK Compliance function, ensuring adherence to all applicable FCA regulatory requirements.
  • Act as the firm's subject matter expert across key UK regulatory frameworks including CASS, SYSC, SMCR, Market Abuse Regulation, Financial Crime and AML.
  • Maintain and enhance the firm's Compliance Monitoring Programme, ensuring robust governance and effective risk management.
  • Conduct the annual review and update of Compliance, AML and Financial Crime policies and procedures.
  • Lead the annual Market Abuse Risk Assessment and oversee the firm's market abuse framework.
  • Chair relevant internal governance committees, including the Market Standards Committee.
  • Oversee compliance surveillance programmes, including trade surveillance, communications surveillance and transaction reporting.
  • Review and investigate NASDAQ SMARTS alerts, determining appropriate escalation where required.
  • Prepare and submit regulatory reports, including Suspicious Transaction and Order Reports (STORs) and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) where appropriate.
  • Monitor dealing errors, operational incidents and regulatory breaches, ensuring appropriate remediation.
  • Oversee Personal Account Dealing approvals and monitoring.
  • Implement regulatory change initiatives arising from FCA consultations, policy statements and rule amendments.
  • Deliver and oversee Compliance and Market Abuse training across the London business.
  • Act as the principal point of contact with the FCA and other relevant regulatory authorities.
  • Maintain key registers including Conflicts of Interest and oversee complaint handling procedures.
  • Ensure timely completion of all applicable regulatory returns.
  • Legal Responsibilities
  • Provide practical, commercial legal advice across the firm's products, services and business activities.
  • Support senior management on strategic initiatives, new business opportunities and regulatory developments.
  • Review, draft and negotiate commercial agreements and legal documentation.
  • Advise on legal and regulatory risks associated with business activities.
  • Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting the firm's operations and advise stakeholders accordingly.
  • Work closely with business, risk and operational teams to ensure legal considerations are embedded within decision‑making.
  • Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is likely to possess

  • Significant Compliance leadership experience within an investment bank, securities firm, broker‑dealer or wholesale financial institution.
  • Strong working knowledge of FCA regulation, including CASS, SYSC, SMCR, MAR, AML and Financial Crime.
  • Experience managing regulatory relationships and dealing directly with the FCA.
  • A thorough understanding of market abuse surveillance, transaction reporting and trade surveillance systems.
  • Experience preparing regulatory submissions including STORs and SARs.
  • Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance regulatory requirements alongside business objectives.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with experience advising Boards and senior executives.
  • Legal qualification (England & Wales or another recognised jurisdiction) would be advantageous but is not essential where substantial relevant legal advisory experience has been gained.
  • Eligibility to perform the responsibilities associated with SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (Money Laundering Reporting Officer).
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Head of Compliance & Legal Counsel in London employer: Marlin Selection Ltd

Join a well-established financial services firm in London that values collaboration and employee growth. With a supportive work culture, you will benefit from a hybrid working model, excellent development opportunities, and the chance to gain diverse experience in both HR and Legal functions. This role not only offers a dynamic work environment but also encourages professional advancement in a thriving sector.

Marlin Selection Ltd

Contact Details:

Marlin Selection Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Compliance & Legal Counsel in London

Join Compliance Communities

Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!

Attend Industry Conferences

Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.

Leverage Your University Career Services

If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.

Showcase Your Knowledge Online

Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like Marlin Selection Ltd looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Compliance & Legal Counsel in London

Compliance Leadership
FCA Regulation Knowledge
CASS
SYSC
SMCR
Market Abuse Regulation
Financial Crime

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!

Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.

Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!

Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at Marlin Selection Ltd. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!

How to prepare for a job interview at Marlin Selection Ltd

Master the Regulations

Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!

Show Your Analytical Skills

Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!

Know Your Tools

Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!

Align with Company Culture

Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with Marlin Selection Ltd’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!