Head of Compliance

Octopus Money is looking for a Head of Compliance to help us on our mission to build financial resilience and wealth for everyone. You will play a crucial role in ensuring regulatory compliance and driving a culture of integrity within our fast‑paced, tech‑led, and innovative environment.

About Octopus Money: We’re on a mission to transform millions of lives by building financial resilience and wealth for everyone. Money shapes every part of life, yet most people never get the support they need. We help people build a clear plan for their savings, investments, and pensions and make investing simple with managed portfolios built by experts. We also support employers who want their teams to feel more secure and in control.

The Role and Opportunity: The Head of Compliance (SMF16) will play a critical role in ensuring that Octopus Money operates within the framework of all applicable regulations and standards. This senior role involves designing, implementing, and managing a robust compliance framework to support our strategic objectives while mitigating regulatory risks. The successful candidate will act as the primary contact with regulatory bodies and oversee all aspects of compliance, including monitoring, reporting, and advisory functions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assume responsibility for the firm’s compliance with the regulatory framework, fulfilling the SMF16 function under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR).
• Develop, implement, and maintain the firm’s compliance policies, procedures, and systems to ensure alignment with relevant laws and regulations (e.g., FCA Handbook).
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the Board, senior management, and business units on compliance matters.
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the organisation, ensuring timely updates to policies and practices.
• Foster a culture of compliance awareness and accountability across the organisation.
• Conduct regular compliance monitoring reviews, identify gaps, and implement remedial actions.
• Act as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies, including preparing and submitting reports, handling inspections, and responding to inquiries.
• Oversee regulatory training programs for employees to enhance understanding of compliance obligations.
• Collaborate with internal audit, risk management, and other control functions to ensure a coordinated approach to governance.
• Prepare and present compliance reports to the Board and relevant committees.
• Work with the wider Octopus Group Risk and Compliance functions.
• Oversee financial advice propositions and work with core financial advice teams, including wealth planning and digital advice.
• Support merger and acquisitions workstreams on all compliance related topics.
• Oversee and support training and competence functions in the delivery of effective competence across regulated financial advice and non‑regulated financial coaching.
• Own and maintain compliance with the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, ensuring group companies continue to apply the scheme effectively.
• Oversee and contribute to the firm’s financial promotions framework.

We Value People Who:

• Make every conversation matter – you care about how you make people feel, communicate clearly, listen well, and build trust with customers and colleagues.
• Move with urgency and focus – you like getting stuck in, focus on what matters, learn quickly, and find smart ways to keep things moving.
• Own it – you take responsibility for your work and the outcomes it creates, are comfortable solving problems, making decisions, and tackling challenges head on.

Skills and Experience:

• Extensive knowledge of UK regulatory requirements, including the FCA frameworks.
• Strong understanding of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR).
• Exceptional leadership and management skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Analytical mindset with a proactive approach to problem‑solving and risk mitigation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – you are able to make complex subjects straightforward.
• Proven experience working with MIFIDPRU and UCITS firms, including expertise in discretionary fund management.
• Prior experience in Training & Competency supervision.
• Qualified to a minimum CII Level 4 (or equivalent Pension and Investment Advice qualification).
• A relevant professional qualification (e.g., ICA, CISI or legal qualifications) is desirable.

Kindly note that the Head of Compliance is subject to the SMF16 vetting process being approved by the FCA.

Salary and Benefits:

In return for your contribution we offer a base salary of £90,000 - £110,000 DOE + benefits. You’ll get:

• Hybrid working with 2 days at home each week (Monday and Friday).
• 18 days a year working from anywhere (for non‑regulated roles).
• Share incentive plan – the shares you buy in Octopus Group are matched at 1.5 times.
• Team bonus for non‑commission based roles.
• Company pension.
• Private medical insurance.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Birthday day off.
• A supportive team who care about what they do.
• The chance to help people improve their lives.

Please note, as a regulated business we are required to run background checks for all employees which covers adverse financial and unspent convictions. These will only take place upon a successful job offer.

About Octopus Group: We’re part of the Octopus Group: a privately‑owned business that’s been doing things differently for 25 years. Octopus sets out to build businesses that will outlive us and create a better world for future generations, including brands such as Octopus Energy, Octopus Investments and Octopus Legacy. We believe in equal financial education for everybody, no matter their background. We pride ourselves on building an inclusive working environment where diversity is celebrated. We do not and never will discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

If you require support completing your application please contact Luke Stepney, Head of Talent at applications@octopusmoney.com.