Senior Compliance Officer – Institutional Sales & Trading Advisory

Senior Compliance Officer – Institutional Sales & Trading Advisory

Full-Time 72000 - 88000 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Provide compliance advice and support for Institutional Sales & Trading, ensuring regulatory adherence.
  • Company: Join Optiver, a leading market-making institution focused on improving financial markets.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive bonuses, 27 vacation days, private medical insurance, and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Other info: Opportunities for international transfers and career growth in a supportive culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while collaborating with talented professionals.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Compliance or Risk within financial institutions, with strong knowledge of trading workflows.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.

Senior Compliance Officer – Institutional Sales & Trading Advisory

Are you looking for a role where your expertise and judgement can make a real impact ?

Do you enjoy working close ly with the business, taking ownership and translating complex regulatory requirements into practical solutions?

Join Optiver's Compliance team in London and play a key role in supporting our growing Institutional Sales & Trading business .

You will work directly with stakeholders across the firm on a broad range of regulatory, conduct and financial crime matters, while contributing to the development of the Global Compliance framework as the business continues to evolve.

What you'll do

As a Senior Compliance Officer, you will join the Trading Advisory team in London , focusing on Institutional Sales & Trading .

Working closely with the front office , you will advise on counterparty interactions, communications, trading activity, and the regulatory framework within which the business operates .

You will build a strong understanding of the business and its trading workflows, independently own your advisory work, and become a trusted point of contact for the front office, proactively identifying and addressing emerging risks.

You will also lead initiatives from start to finish and work closely with Compliance colleagues across Optiver's global offices.

Your responsibilities will include

  • Provide independent Compliance advice to Institutional Sales & Trading, applying your knowledge of trading workflows, counterparties, markets and applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Advise on sales and trading conduct, including counterparty interactions, communications, conflicts of interest, confidential information and cross-border activity.
  • Take ownership of financial crime assessments across counterparty onboarding, jurisdictions and trading activity, including AML and sanction risks, identifying appropriate controls and escalations.
  • Review external communications, marketing materials, presen tations, and disclosures to ensure they are accurate , balanced, and compliant with applicable requirements .
  • Lead Compliance input into new products, counterparties, markets and strategic initiatives, partnering with the business and control functions to develop compliant solutions.
  • Assess relevant surveillance escalations and potential conduct concerns, and coordinate responses to regulatory and exchange enquiries, audits and information requests.
  • Monitor regulatory developments, maintain practical policies and guidance, deliver targeted training, and collaborate with global Compliance colleagues while supporting junior team members.

Who you are

  • You have significant relevant experience in Compliance, Legal, Risk or another control function within a financial institution, ideally within an investment bank or other institutional markets business

, with exposure to a trading floor environment.

  • You have a strong understanding of the regulatory, conduct and financial crime risks in institutional markets , including sales conduct, , conflicts of interest, confidential information, cross-border requirements, AML, sanctions, counterparty due diligence and jurisdictional risk, alogside experience advising front-office stakeholders directly.
  • You have a strong understanding of financial markets and are comfortable developing detailed knowledge of products, trading strategies and transaction workflows.

Experience across equities, FX, fixed income, or commodities is a plus.

  • Experience working across multiple jurisdictions , particularly the UK, EU and/or US, and applying different regulatory requirements to cross-border activities is advantageous .
  • You can establish credibility with experienced institutional sales and trading professionals and build strong relationships across functions and geographies, while maintaining independent judgement and providing constructive challenges where necessary.
  • You take ownership of complex matters with limited oversight, lead initiatives from start to finish and drive issues through to a clear conclusion.
  • You are curious, analytical, and solutions oriented .

You seek to understand how the business actually operates rather than applying regulation in isolation, and you turn complex regulatory requirements into concise, actionable advice.

  • You have experience guiding junior colleagues, delegating effectively, and providing constructive feedback that improves the quality of the team's work.

Who we are

At Optiver, our mission is to constantly improve the market by injecting liquidity, providing accurate pricing, increasing transparency and acting as a stabilizing force no matter the market conditions.

With a focus on continuous improvement, we participate in the safeguarding of healthy and efficient markets for everyone who participates.

As one of the largest market making institutions, we are a trusted partner of 70+ exchanges across the globe.

What you'll get

Y ou’ll join a culture of collaboration and excellence, where you’ll be surrounded by curious thinkers and creative problem solvers.

Motivated by a passion for continuous improvement, you’ll thrive in a supportive, high-performing environment alongside talented colleagues, working collectively to tackle the toughest problems in the financial markets.

In addition, you’ll receive

  • A performance-based bonus structure, enabling all of our employees to benefit from our global profit pool.
  • 27 paid vacation days plus all UK public holidays.
  • Daily breakfast and lunch, along with support on commuting expenses.
  • Private medical insurance, pension scheme, and Class Pass fitness membership.
  • Training and continuous learning opportunities, including access to conferences and tech events.
  • International transfer opportunities for global career growth.

Please note

  • We do not require any assistance from third-parties including agencies in the recruitment of this role

Senior Compliance Officer – Institutional Sales & Trading Advisory employer: Optiver

Optiver is an exceptional employer for aspiring software developers, offering a dynamic internship experience in the heart of London’s financial district. With a strong focus on mentorship and collaboration, interns will engage in real-world projects that enhance their technical skills while enjoying extensive office perks, including meals and social activities. The supportive work culture fosters continuous improvement and provides a pathway to full-time opportunities, making it an ideal place for those passionate about technology and finance.

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Contact Details:

Optiver Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Compliance Officer – Institutional Sales & Trading Advisory

✨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 Optiver looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Compliance Officer – Institutional Sales & Trading Advisory

Compliance Knowledge
Regulatory Framework Understanding
Financial Crime Risk Assessment
AML and Sanctions Knowledge
Counterparty Due Diligence
Sales Conduct Advisory
Cross-Border Regulatory Requirements

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 Optiver. 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 Optiver

✨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 Optiver’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!