Interim Senior Compliance Manager - SMF16/17 in London

Interim Senior Compliance Manager - Initial 12-month FTC with temp to perm option.

Location: London/hybrid (3 days in office)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Interim Senior Compliance Manager to lead and execute the Compliance and Risk function within a growing financial technology business serving global financial institutions.

This is a senior role operating as a key second line of defence, partnering closely with Legal, Finance, Information Security, People and senior leadership teams. The successful candidate will adopt a risk-based approach to compliance, ensuring robust governance, regulatory compliance and effective risk management across the organisation.

The role offers the opportunity to work within a dynamic and innovative financial services technology environment with significant exposure to executive leadership, regulators and major institutional clients.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory & Compliance Leadership

• Hold Senior Management Functions (SMF16 & SMF17).
• Manage regulatory relationships in a transparent and proactive manner.
• Advise senior management on regulatory obligations, compliance risks and regulated activities.
• Ensure regulatory filings and submissions are completed accurately and on time.
• Support regulatory applications, approvals and information requests.
• Maintain and oversee the compliance monitoring programme.
• Develop and maintain a robust risk and control framework, including risk registers and compliance policies.
• Prepare compliance and risk reporting for executive and board-level stakeholders.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigating controls where required.
• Manage and maintain regulatory registers, including conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, and breaches.

Compliance Operations

• Provide day-to-day compliance advice across business and support functions.
• Monitor compliance incidents, investigations, complaints, whistleblowing matters and data breaches.
• Ensure Statements of Responsibilities, Fitness & Propriety Assessments and relevant certifications are maintained.
• Review and enhance compliance processes to improve efficiency, automation and control effectiveness.

Regulatory Change & Financial Crime

• Monitor and assess regulatory developments across the UK, EU and US.
• Support the implementation of regulatory and legislative changes.
• Review compliance policies and procedures to ensure ongoing effectiveness and alignment with applicable regulations.
• Conduct financial crime and third-party risk assessments and support associated control frameworks.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Legal, Finance, People, Marketing and Information Security teams.
• Support client due diligence processes, audits and compliance reviews.
• Contribute to staff compliance training and awareness programmes.
• Review external communications and marketing materials from a compliance perspective.

Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will possess:

• 8+ years' compliance and risk experience within an FCA-regulated financial services environment.
• Strong practical knowledge of the FCA Handbook and regulatory expectations.
• Experience holding or supporting Senior Management Functions under SMCR.
• Understanding of UK, EU and US regulatory developments.
• Strong knowledge of financial services products, technology and operational risk frameworks.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to operate independently while influencing senior stakeholders.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred

• Degree in Finance, Business, Law or a related discipline.
• Experience within capital markets, fintech, market infrastructure, securities finance or related sectors.