Compliance Specialist - UK

Hi, we’re Penfold – We are on a mission to build the pension of the future!

At Penfold, we’re dragging pensions out of the dark ages with a modern, tech-first platform that makes pensions engaging, accessible, and rewarding.

We’re a growing team of 50+ team members across London and Tallinn, backed by top FinTech investors. Having raised £20M+, we manage £700M+ in pensions for over 100,000 savers and thousands of businesses, and we’re on track for profitability next year.

As part of our first 50+ hires, you’ll play a key role in shaping our culture and enjoy significant opportunities for growth and progression.

About the role

We’re looking for a Compliance Specialist to join our team. We care about doing the right thing, not just because we have to, but because it\’s fundamental to our culture.You\’ll play a key role in shaping this culture and holding us to account. As a Compliance Specialist you\’ll also be instrumental in our compliance efforts providing guidance, training, and support, as well as contributing to company goals and delivering core assurance activities. It\’s a fast-paced, exciting and challenging role with loads of positives and fantastic colleagues.

Your responsibilities

• Provide proactive advisory support, interpreting and applying FCA, TPR, and wider regulatory requirements.
• Lead or oversee compliance audits, control reviews, and deep-dive assurance activity.
• Monitor, assess, and communicate the impact of regulatory developments and advise business leads.
• Design and enhance second-line assurance frameworks and MI/reporting dashboards.
• Investigate complex breaches, lead root cause analysis, and coordinate remediation.
• Represent compliance in internal working groups and regulatory conversations.
• Deliver compliance training sessions and act as SME on key topics (e.g. AML, GDPR).
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the compliance framework, policies, and documentation.
• Mentor and support a junior analyst, sharing expertise and reviewing work.

Skills and Experience:

• Good knowledge of UK financial services regulation and compliance operations.
• 2+ years’ experience in financial services compliance, preferably within pensions.
• Demonstrable expertise in regulatory assurance, audit preparation, and advisory.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and deliver compliance projects with minimal supervision.
• Professional qualifications (e.g. ICA, CISI) strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of FCA/TPR pension rules, CASS, AML, GDPR, and investment/fund structures desirable.

What We’re Looking For

• You have strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex regulations and apply them to business operations;
• You take a practical approach to problem solving, cut through to the key issues and don’t bamboozle colleagues with lots of technicalities, and micro-detail;
• You communicate clearly and simply – no jargon please.
• You take a ‘first-principles’ approach to problem solving and don’t simply look to how things have always been done;
• You are comfortable holding your ground and putting forward your case;
• You can work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment;
• You can prioritise and manage multiple tasks at the same time;
• You understand the Consumer Duty and the regulator’s expectations of firms in respect of it (and don’t treat it as a box-ticking exercise but something that is crucial to the culture of a firm);
• You are able to build relationships and influence colleagues at all levels.

Be prepared to work hard! Ultimately, we’re looking for smart, hardworking & energetic people who get stuff done & are committed to contributing to a great team. So, if you’re excited about what we’re doing, get in touch – definitely don’t be put off if you don’t tick every box!

Our application process:

• Hiring manager chat
• Task-based interview
• Culture fit interview (this is as much for you to get a better sense of us!)
• Founder chat

We’re working hard to create a working environment where people feel empowered to do their very best work, make a big impact, and enjoy what they do. Specifically, our benefits package includes:

• A competitive salary; we proactively review salaries to make sure you get what you deserve
• Meaningful share options, you’ll own a part of Penfold and share in our success
• 10% pension contribution each month that you don’t need to match (on top of your salary)
• Medical insurance, through Vitality
• Unlimited holiday, we’re interested in your output, not how many holidays you go on!
• Hybrid working, we like people to come in to our office (so it would be great if you lived in the London area) at least a couple of days a week to collaborate, but we trust you to get your work done in whatever environment suits you
• Great community office space, plenty of people come into our wonderful private office near Borough Underground station.
• Free tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks
• Free company lunch every week (e.g., Borough Market, Mercato Metropolitano)
• Laptop and any WFH equipment you need
• Option to buy a bike tax free, and spread the cost (using the cycle to work scheme)
• Learning and Professional Development – we conduct regular 360 feedback and focus on role progression that suits each individual. We support everyone with courses, events and coaching to help everyone reach their goals
• Quarterly company socials, and regular meet-ups throughout the year too!
• Plus a host of other benefits – see here: https://getpenfold.com/careers

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We are 100% committed to building a diverse and representative team. Whatever your race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability – we want to hear from you. If you have questions about the role or the company or the interview process, please let your recruiter know and we’re happy to answer these anonymously if that makes you feel more comfortable.

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