At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead compliance and risk management in a fast-growing digital financial advice firm.
- Company: NOVA, a regulated advice business with a unique digital approach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity potential, wellness support, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Join a diverse, entrepreneurial team focused on positive customer outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while helping a company scale confidently and responsibly.
- Qualifications: Senior compliance experience in a UK FCA-regulated firm and strong risk management skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
About the role
At NOVA, we like to do things differently. We've built a regulated advice business that delivers full holistic advice across investments, pensions, protection and mortgages in an entirely digital way. We see great compliance and risk management not as a brake on that, but as what lets us scale with confidence.
We're looking for a commercially minded Head of Compliance to own and lead our compliance & risk framework as we grow. This isn't a role for someone who treats compliance as a blocker. We want a senior leader who can weigh risk against opportunity, find the path to 'yes', and help the business move quickly while protecting our customers and our licence to operate.
You'll sit at the heart of the business, working closely with our founders, advisers, marketing and product teams to make sure good customer outcomes and strong governance are built into everything we do.
What you'll be doing:
- Owning the firm's compliance, risk and financial crime framework, and evolving it as the business scales.
- Acting as a true commercial partner to the management team.
- Helping the business grow quickly and safely, and finding pragmatic, risk-based routes to bring new propositions and journeys to market.
- Embedding Consumer Duty and a good-outcomes mindset across advice, product and operations.
- Maintaining our relationship with the FCA, and keeping the business ahead of regulatory change through effective horizon scanning.
- Overseeing our advice quality and monitoring framework so we maintain high standards as we scale, with support from two Compliance Managers and outsourced compliance specialists.
- Advising the board on risk appetite, controls and emerging risks, with clear, commercially grounded judgement.
- Building and leading the compliance function (the people, processes and tooling) as the firm grows.
- Fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across the business.
Commercial mindset: This is the most important thing. We want someone who can balance risk against opportunity, enable the business to grow, and reach for solutions rather than reasons to say no.
Strong risk manager: A proven ability to design and run a risk and controls framework in a regulated financial services business, and to make sound, defensible judgement calls.
Senior compliance experience: A track record in a compliance and/or risk leadership role at a UK FCA-regulated firm (ideally one that is scaling or has scaled). Experience holding (or readiness to hold) an SMF is important.
Knowledge of the rules that matter to us: Strong working knowledge of the FCA Handbook (COBS in particular), Consumer Duty, SMCR and financial crime / AML.
Advice background (preferred): Experience in or close to regulated financial advice is a real plus. Having worked in financial advice, qualified as an adviser, or having designed advice propositions will help you hit the ground running. But we care more about commercial judgement and risk management.
Startup mentality: Comfortable being hands-on, wearing multiple hats and building things from scratch in a fast-moving environment.
You'll feel right at home if you're:
- Helpful: random acts of kindness make the workplace a better place so, go out of your way to be helpful, and give people reasons to smile.
- Straightforward: life is complicated enough. Don't make it harder for yourself, or for others. Sometimes the simplest approach works wonders.
- Bold: every great business started with a flash of inspiration. If you've got a great idea, don't keep it to yourself.
Join a firm with genuine purpose and impact on our customers, along with a strong moral code.
Competitive salary + benefits (bonus, pension, private medical, income protection, death in service).
Potential to get equity in the company in the future.
Access to Wellness / mental health support (Headspace App + mental health support through private medical).
Budget for additional learning / cost of exams.
Electric vehicle leasing through salary sacrifice / cycle to work scheme.
Flexible working hours and hybrid remote working (typically 2-3 days a week working in the office (20 Farringdon Street)).
Exceptionally open and diverse, multinational team.
Entrepreneurial, creative environment.
Compliance Head of Compliance (Financial Advice) London , United Kingdom employer: Novawm
At NOVA, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Head of Compliance in London, you'll enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to shape our compliance framework in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee growth, NOVA is an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and impactful careers in financial advice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Compliance Head of Compliance (Financial Advice) London , United Kingdom
✨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 Novawm looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Compliance Head of Compliance (Financial Advice) London , United Kingdom
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 Novawm. 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 Novawm
✨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 Novawm’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
