Global Head of Compliance Surveillance (United Kingdom & Singapore) in London

This role could be based in the United Kingdom and Singapore. Global Head, Group Compliance Surveillance is responsible for the strategic direction, governance, and effective operation of the Group Compliance Surveillance (GCS) function. The mandate encompasses trade surveillance, electronic communications surveillance, voice communications surveillance, surveillance data and optimisation, surveillance analytics, and surveillance process governance and controls. The role provides leadership to a global team of approximately 140+ colleagues across the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Poland and India, and is accountable for ensuring that the function operates as an effective independent detective control in support of the Bank’s regulatory obligations and risk management objectives.

Strategy

• Define and oversee execution of the global vision, strategy and priorities for Group Compliance Surveillance (GCS), ensuring alignment with the Bank’s strategic objectives and regulatory expectations.
• Establish and maintain a strategic roadmap for the GCS function, covering the target operating model, process transformation, automation, optimisation and location strategy.
• Oversee the surveillance workstreams and locations under the global operating model that enables consistent delivery of GCS priorities in partnership with the relevant Risk Framework Owners.
• Provide senior leadership for transformation programmes and change initiatives designed to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and resilience of the function.
• Ensure that GCS projects and initiatives are supported by clear delivery plans, milestones and governance, with delivery risks, dependencies and outcomes actively managed.

Business

• Develop and maintain constructive, trusted and effective relationships with senior stakeholders across the businesses, Risk & CFCR, technology, and other supporting functions.
• Embed forward planning, prioritisation, disciplined execution, streamlined workflows and timely delivery as standard operating practices across the global team.
• Maintain accountability for the overall cost and investment profile of the GCS function, working with Finance and relevant stakeholders to manage budgets, technology expenditure, vendor subscriptions and future investment requirements within agreed financial parameters.

Processes

• Establish, maintain and continuously enhance effective global compliance surveillance processes, including training, support and related controls, to ensure regulatory obligations and expectations are implemented consistently.
• Act as Global Process Owner under the Group’s Enterprise Risk Management Framework for Surveillance processes, partnering with relevant Risk Framework Owners in CFCR to ensure processes operate within approved risk tolerances.
• Maintain appropriate management information, issue tracking and reporting mechanisms to ensure surveillance coverage, effectiveness and remediation actions are monitored, assessed and escalated in accordance with governance expectations.
• Review compliance surveillance requirements and determine appropriate solutions in partnership with technology, CFCR and business stakeholders.
• Assess the ongoing effectiveness of the Group’s compliance surveillance framework and direct enhancements where required.

People & Talent

• Provide global leadership and functional oversight for all colleagues within the GCS function, setting clear expectations for conduct, delivery, risk management and collaboration.
• Demonstrate leadership by example and foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, effective challenge, continuous improvement and partnership with risk and control stakeholders.
• Set objectives and role accountabilities for direct reports, monitor performance, provide regular feedback and ensure reward outcomes are aligned to delivery, conduct and risk management expectations.
• Assess team capability, capacity and skills on an ongoing basis to ensure the function remains appropriately resourced and equipped to meet business, regulatory and risk management demands.
• Ensure appropriate training, development, supervision and succession planning for critical roles across the global Surveillance function.
• Attract, engage, retain and develop high-quality talent, while proactively managing performance, attrition and organisational effectiveness.
• Conduct regular management meetings with direct reports and ensure effective communication, escalation and decision-making across the global team.

Risk Management

• Preserve the independence and integrity of the GCS function, ensuring timely responses and escalation where risks or issues exceed management tolerance.
• Support designated CFCR where Surveillance operates as an independent detective control, including surveillance coverage and effectiveness considerations.
• Engage with Risk Framework Owners to anticipate emerging and horizon risks that may materially impact the Bank and develop effective surveillance responses and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure timely escalation of potential risks identified.

Governance

• Promote the adoption of best practice, lessons learned and control improvements across the surveillance teams.
• Maintain a sustainable global governance framework for Surveillance that supports the Bank’s Here for Good commitment and embeds consistent standards of best practice across the network.
• Provide clear, timely and substantive reporting to relevant Group, business, risk and control committees and senior management forums on key surveillance risks, issues, themes and remediation progress.

Regulatory & Business Conduct

• Display exemplary conduct and live by the Group’s Values and Code of Conduct.
• Take personal responsibility for embedding the highest standards of ethics, including regulatory and business conduct, across the Group Surveillance function.
• Effectively and collaboratively identify, escalate, mitigate and resolve risk, conduct and compliance matters.
• Lead the Surveillance function in delivering the outcomes expected under the Bank’s Conduct Management Framework.
• Support the Bank’s management of regulatory relationships on surveillance-related matters and ensure the function is appropriately prepared to respond to regulatory questions, reviews and thematic enquiries.
• Where material regulatory breaches, control failures or risk tolerance breaches arise, ensure senior management and relevant stakeholders are informed promptly and that timely remediation is pursued, as appropriate.

Key stakeholders

• Group Head, CFCR
• Global Head, CFCR, CIB, EA, ASA and AME
• Global Head, CFCR, WRB and GCNA
• Head, Control Room and Transactional Conflicts
• Hd., CFCR Advisory Mkts, Macro&UK&Europe
• Executive Director, CFCR Affluent and Wealth Solut
• Head, CFCR Advisory, TTO & GBS
• Head, CFCR Client and Market Conduct
• Global Head, Risk Management Anti-Crime
• Global Head, Cybersecurity and AntiCrime Tech
• Head Portfolio Strategy & Transformation
• Global Head, Assurance
• Group Internal Audit
• Regulators

Other Responsibilities

• Embed Here for good and Group’s brand and values; Perform other responsibilities assigned under Group, Country, Business or Functional policies and procedures;

Our Ideal Candidate

• Markets Trade Surveillance
• Communications Surveillance
• People Management
• Regulatory Liaison
• Deployment of AI / advanced technology

About Standard Chartered

We’re a global bank connecting clients to our differentiated network, offering growth opportunities in the world’s most dynamic markets. Our strategy, which combines cross-border capabilities and leading wealth management expertise, helps us deliver our purpose - to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity. Over our 170-year history, and across a unique geographical footprint connecting Asia, Africa and the Middle East to each other and the world, we’ve built a bank like no other, with diverse capabilities and partnerships that set us apart.

What We Offer

Being part of an inclusive and values driven organisation, one that embraces and celebrates our unique diversity, across our teams, business functions, and geographies. 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 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.