Head of Legal and Compliance

Location: London

Division: Legal & Compliance

Reports To: CEO UK / Regional General Counsel / Group Chief Compliance Officer

Regulatory Status: FCA Approved – SMF17 (Money Laundering Reporting Officer) & SMF18 (Other Overall Responsibility)

About the Bank

We are an internationally established banking group with operations across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, providing corporate banking, treasury, trade finance, capital markets and institutional financial services to a diverse global client base. As part of the continued expansion and strengthening of our UK operations, we are seeking to appoint an experienced Head of Legal & Compliance to lead the legal, regulatory and financial crime framework for the Bank’s UK Branch. The successful candidate will play a key leadership role within the UK management team and act as a strategic advisor to senior management and Head Office on UK regulatory and governance matters. This is a senior leadership opportunity suited to an individual with strong FCA regulatory expertise, international banking experience and the ability to operate effectively within a cross-border institutional environment.

The Role

The Head of Legal & Compliance will be responsible for overseeing all legal, regulatory compliance, governance and financial crime matters relating to the Bank’s UK Branch operations. The individual will hold SMF17 and SMF18 responsibilities and act as the primary point of contact with UK regulators, including the FCA and other relevant authorities. The role requires a commercially minded and technically strong professional capable of balancing regulatory oversight with business growth objectives within an international banking environment. The successful candidate will work closely with senior stakeholders across Legal, Compliance, Risk, Operations and Front Office teams both in London and internationally.

Key Responsibilities

• Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
• Lead and manage the UK Branch Compliance function in accordance with FCA regulatory requirements.
• Hold SMF17 (MLRO) and SMF18 responsibilities for the UK Branch.
• Maintain and enhance the Bank’s compliance monitoring framework, policies and procedures.
• Act as primary liaison with the FCA and other UK regulatory authorities.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with FCA Handbook requirements, PRA expectations, AML regulations, MiFID II and wider UK regulatory obligations.
• Provide regulatory guidance and advice to senior management and business stakeholders.
• Act as the UK MLRO and oversee all AML, sanctions, ABC and financial crime controls.
• Ensure robust KYC/CDD and transaction monitoring frameworks are maintained.
• Oversee SAR submissions and financial crime investigations where required.
• Maintain effective financial crime policies, governance and staff training programmes.
• Legal & Governance
• Oversee legal matters affecting the UK Branch, including contractual, regulatory and corporate governance matters.
• Coordinate with external counsel where appropriate.
• Support the governance framework for the UK Branch, including committee reporting and board governance.
• Provide legal and regulatory input into new products, business initiatives and strategic projects.
• Ensure effective management of regulatory change and implementation programmes.
• Stakeholder Management
• Work closely with senior management, Head Office and international stakeholders on regulatory and governance matters.
• Partner with Risk, Internal Audit, Operations and Front Office teams to ensure effective control frameworks.
• Support regulatory inspections, internal audits and compliance reviews.
• Deliver clear reporting and management information to UK and Group governance committees.

Candidate Profile

Required Experience

• Significant experience within Legal & Compliance functions at an international bank or regulated financial institution.
• Previous experience holding SMF17 and/or SMF18 responsibilities.
• Strong working knowledge of FCA regulations and UK regulatory frameworks applicable to international banking operations.
• Experience operating within a UK Branch structure of an overseas bank.
• Extensive knowledge of AML, sanctions, financial crime and regulatory compliance frameworks.
• Experience dealing directly with the FCA and regulatory bodies.
• Strong understanding of governance, conduct risk and regulatory reporting obligations.

Preferred Background

• Experience within corporate banking, treasury, trade finance, capital markets or institutional banking environments.
• Qualified solicitor or legally trained professional preferred.
• Experience working within multi-jurisdictional and cross-border banking environments.
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to balance regulatory and business priorities.
• Experience managing teams and interacting with senior executive leadership and boards.

FCA Regulatory Expertise

• SMF17 / SMF18 Accountability
• AML & Financial Crime
• Legal & Regulatory Advisory
• Governance & Regulatory Reporting
• Cross-Border Banking Operations
• Stakeholder & Regulator Management
• Policy & Framework Development
• Risk & Controls Oversight
• Leadership & Communication
• Strategic Thinking & Commercial Judgement

What We Offer

• Opportunity to join a growing international banking platform with strong global presence.
• Senior leadership role with direct interaction with UK and Group executive management.
• Broad exposure across legal, compliance, governance and strategic regulatory matters.
• Collaborative international working environment.
• Competitive compensation and benefits structure aligned to experience and seniority.