At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead corporate governance and compliance operations for UK insurance and reinsurance entities.
- Company: Join a leading firm in the insurance sector focused on governance and compliance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for leadership growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for travel and professional networking.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on compliance and governance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in compliance and governance within the UK insurance market.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Head of Governance and Compliance Operations is responsible for ensuring robust corporate governance and effective delivery of Compliance operations across UK Insurance and Reinsurance entities. The role leads governance activities, oversees outsourced compliance services, and drives consistent processes, technology solutions and change programmes that support regulatory compliance and organisational effectiveness.
Corporate Governance and Board Support
- Lead all corporate governance activities for UK regulated and non‑regulated entities (excluding Syndicate‑related governance).
- Oversee preparation, coordination and quality assurance of board and committee papers, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
- Manage statutory and regulatory filings, ensuring compliance with FCA, PRA and Companies House requirements.
- Act as the key liaison with the outsourced Company Secretarial provider, ensuring service standards and KPIs are met.
Compliance Operations and Framework Implementation
- Support finalisation, embedding and continuous improvement of the Compliance framework across UK Operating Units.
- Ensure governance and approval processes are consistently applied to compliance issues, escalations and decisions.
- Oversee delivery of the annual Compliance Plan, including thematic reviews, monitoring and reporting.
Regulatory Reporting and Licensing Oversight
- Oversee UK regulatory reporting processes, ensuring timely submission and high-quality regulatory returns.
- Lead the design, maintenance and periodic review of licensing processes across UK and European Operating Units.
- Ensure accurate maintenance of regulatory permissions, registrations, and TOBA arrangements with third parties.
Management of Outsourced Compliance Providers
- Manage relationships with key third‑party compliance service providers, including governance, licensing, TOBAs, and technology platforms.
- Set, monitor and review KPIs, SLAs and performance dashboards to ensure operational effectiveness.
- Lead vendor performance reviews and support procurement and contract renewal processes where required.
Regulatory Change and Technology Enablement
- Act as subject matter expert in Compliance change initiatives, supporting regulatory transformation across the UK and Europe when required.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and standardised technology solutions that enhance governance, monitoring and reporting.
- Support delivery and embedding of new compliance tools, systems and workflows.
Stakeholder Engagement and Internal Collaboration
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with senior leaders, business teams, risk, audit, legal, and external stakeholders.
- Coordinate with 2nd and 3rd line teams to address audit findings, regulatory feedback and monitoring outcomes.
- Provide clear, pragmatic compliance guidance to Operating Units to support effective decision‑making.
Leadership and Team Development
- Provide leadership, coaching and development to Compliance colleagues to ensure capability and resilience within the function.
- Champion a culture of integrity, accountability and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Essential Experience and Knowledge
- Extensive experience in Compliance, Governance or Financial Services within the UK insurance or reinsurance market.
- Strong understanding of UK regulatory frameworks (e.g., FCA, PRA) and governance requirements.
- Proven experience in delivering transformation, change or regulatory programmes.
- Experience managing outsourced service providers, including contract oversight and KPI monitoring.
- Demonstrable experience in corporate governance practices (e.g., board support, filings, CoSec engagement).
Skills and Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with sound professional judgement.
- Excellent organisational skills with high attention to detail.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work with stakeholders at all levels.
- Ability to work independently, managing competing priorities within tight timeframes.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to engage confidently across differing personality types and cultures.
- Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, with strong Excel capability.
Qualifications
- Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
- Relevant professional accreditation (e.g., ICSA/CGI, Compliance or Risk qualifications) desirable but not essential.
Occasional travel may be required.
Head of Corporate Governance and Compliance Operations employer: WR Berkley
As a leading player in the UK insurance and reinsurance market, our company offers an exceptional work environment for the Head of Corporate Governance and Compliance Operations. We pride ourselves on fostering a culture of integrity and accountability, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development, while ensuring a collaborative atmosphere that values innovation and compliance excellence. With a focus on regulatory transformation and technology enablement, employees are empowered to drive meaningful change and contribute to the organisation's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Corporate Governance and Compliance Operations
✨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 WR Berkley looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Corporate Governance and Compliance Operations
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 WR Berkley. 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 WR Berkley
✨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 WR Berkley’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
