Director, WRB CFCR Advisory (UK)

The Director, WRB CFCR Advisory (UK) will provide senior-level compliance advisory and independent second line oversight to the UK Private Banking and Wealth Management business within the Wealth and Retail Banking (WRB) segment. This role is responsible for ensuring the business operates in full compliance with applicable UK regulatory requirements (including FCA and PRA rules), as well as internal policies and standards. Acting as a trusted advisor and effective challenger, the role will support the identification, assessment, and mitigation of conduct and regulatory risks while promoting fair client outcomes. The role will also play a key part in embedding the evolving CFCR Target Operating Model and supporting the broader “Function of the Future” initiative, working closely with global CFCR teams to drive consistency, best practice, and regulatory excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Compliance Advisory & Business Partnering
  • Provide strategic guidance and effective challenge to senior stakeholders to ensure alignment with regulatory expectations and fair client outcomes.
  • Provide expert, timely, and pragmatic regulatory advice across the full product lifecycle, including product design, governance, distribution, and post‑sale activities.
  • Advise on key regulatory frameworks impacting UK Private Banking and Wealth Management, including MiFID II, PRIIPs, Consumer Duty, Product Governance, Financial Promotions, Market Abuse Regulation, and Best Execution.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across WRB, Legal, Risk, and global CFCR teams.
  • Support new business initiatives, remediation programmes, and investigations from a compliance perspective.
  • Promote a strong culture of compliance, ethical conduct, and adherence to the Group Code of Conduct and “Here for Good” values.
• Risk Management & Oversight
  • Act as a second line risk owner (or delegate) for relevant Private Banking and Wealth Management processes.
  • Identify, assess, and elevate compliance and conduct risks in a timely and effective manner.
  • Deliver robust, independent challenge where business activities fall outside risk appetite, ensuring appropriate escalation and remediation.
  • Develop and maintain risk‑based compliance frameworks aligned with the Group Risk Management Framework.
  • Oversee and support remediation of regulatory breaches and ensure appropriate engagement with regulators where required.
  • Ensure effective monitoring, tracking, and reporting of compliance risks, issues, and action plans.
• Governance & Controls
  • Partner closely with business leaders to embed proactive and forward‑looking compliance practices.
  • Provide regular reporting to governance forums, including risk and control committees, on key compliance matters.
  • Maintain robust management information (MI), trackers, and documentation to support effective oversight.
  • Support audit, assurance, and regulatory review processes, including remediation and lessons learned.
  • Ensure appropriate product governance frameworks and documentation are in place and aligned with regulatory expectations.
• Policy, Process & Regulatory Engagement
  • Support the development and maintenance of local policy addenda and compliance standards.
  • Provide oversight and challenge to first line processes to ensure effective implementation of compliance controls.
  • Support regulatory engagement with UK and international supervisory authorities.
  • Ensure processes and controls are clearly documented, maintained, and continuously enhanced.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience in Compliance or Regulatory Advisory within UK Private Banking or Wealth Management.
• Strong working knowledge of FCA and PRA regulatory frameworks relevant to wealth and private banking.
• Deep expertise across key regulatory areas, including: MiFID II, PRIIPs, Consumer Duty, Suitability and Product Governance, UK Financial Promotions, Market Abuse Regulation, Best Execution.
• Strong understanding of financial products including managed investments (funds, private equity, hedge funds), discretionary portfolio management, structured products, and direct equities.
• Proven ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical guidance.
• Strong risk management capability and sound judgement in complex scenarios.
• High levels of integrity, independence, and professional resilience.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Financial Crime Compliance (AML, CDD, sanctions).
• Experience with fund distribution frameworks (e.g. UCITS, AIFMD).
• Familiarity with UK mortgage and consumer credit regulations.
• Understanding of ESG and Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR).
• Experience supporting regulatory change or transformation programmes.
• Knowledge of data protection (GDPR) and privacy regulations.
• Exposure to AI tools and their application within compliance functions.
• Experience conducting compliance monitoring or second line assurance reviews.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Professional compliance certification (e.g. ICA, ACAMS or equivalent) is advantageous.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

What we offer

In line with our Fair Pay Charter, we offer a competitive salary and benefits to support your mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing. Core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance, with flexible and voluntary benefits available in some locations. Time‑off including annual leave, parental/maternity (20 weeks), sabbatical (12 months maximum) and volunteering leave (3 days), along with minimum global standards for annual and public holiday, which is combined to 30 days minimum. Flexible working options based around home and office locations, with flexible working patterns. Proactive wellbeing support through Unmind, a market‑leading digital wellbeing platform, development courses for resilience and other human skills, global Employee Assistance Programme, sick leave, mental health first‑aiders and all sorts of self‑help toolkits. A continuous learning culture to support your growth, with opportunities to reskill and upskill and access to physical, virtual and digital learning. Being part of an inclusive and values‑driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions and geographies - everyone feels respected and can realise their full potential.