Senior Compliance Business Partner

The Group Compliance Function aims to proactively support Willis Towers Watson to generate sustainable value, helping the company to deliver good client outcomes, manage its conduct, protect against regulatory risk, and maintain strong regulatory relationships. We aim to be a trusted partner to the business.

We lead the management and co-ordination of Willis Towers Watson Group Compliance policies and procedures, identifying applicable regulatory requirements and implementing relevant processes to enable standards to be met. We also provide guidance and training. The Compliance team leads the management and co-ordination of the requirements of our global Regulators. This is a Certification Function role under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) Senior Manager and Certification Regime. Candidates are required to be assessed under the Fitness and Proprietary standards. This assessment will be carried out through self-disclosures, permitted criminal record checks, reference checks, credit checks and other background checks. If hired for this role, you will also be required to complete an annual declaration regarding your Fitness and Propriety. This role will additionally be subject to the FCA’s Conduct Rules.

The Role

Reporting to the Willis Limited Chief Compliance Officer, and a key member of the Willis Limited Compliance Leadership Team, the Senior Compliance Officer will be responsible for ensuring the operation of an efficient and effective second line function. The Senior Compliance Business Partner will be a Certified role under the Senior Managers & Certification Regime.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop an effective team of skilled Compliance business partners.
• Direct line management responsibility for up to five Compliance Business Partners and/or Assistant Compliance Business Partners specifically, in relation to:

• Operation and delivery of an annual compliance plan, derived from the Willis Limited Compliance Plan, as it relates to Business Partnering to evidence the delivery of the WL Compliance Plan within the supported businesses, reporting on progress to the WL Chief Compliance Officer.
• Development of direct reports and the wider team, identification of training and personal development needs, working closely with team members to address these and setting objectives to support this process.
• Senior point of escalation and contact for both direct reports and the business, where there may be regulatory issues occurring within the business.
• To ensure quality and proactive engagement with the business, at all levels, by all members of the team.

• Identifying and assessing compliance risks within the business.
• Discussing promptly with the LoB management team where any compliance or regulatory issues arise.
• Providing technical regulatory advice and support to the business in understanding its responsibilities and obligations under relevant WTW policies and regulatory requirements.
• Identifying compliance training needs in the business and develop training plans for the year, co-ordinate effective Compliance training both via online training and developing specific training materials to the business.
• Analysing management information produced by the business, Compliance Monitoring reports and internal/external audit reports, discussing key findings with the business.
• Support the WL Chief Compliance Officer in leading the WL Compliance Team to embed the Compliance Framework within the Willis Limited business and management of key internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist with and provide input into, the co-ordination and implementation of the Willis Limited Compliance Framework.
• Attend senior business meetings, providing meaningful updates and management information, to support the business in meeting its regulatory obligations.
• Attend and represent the compliance function at key governance forums relating to business as usual and project activity.
• Proactively develop and maintain an effective relationship with the CEOs and COOs of businesses supported by the team, to foster a collaborative approach to embedding a strong culture of compliance within the business.
• Liaise with Senior Management as appropriate to provide strategic advice regarding the appropriate control environment for each business.
• Using commercial understanding to inform views, assist in providing independent influence, challenge and advice to business plans and key change initiatives, so that they are appropriately managed, taking into account regulatory requirements.
• Provide regular updates on compliance metrics and commentary to the relevant business leaders and operational management (including governance forums). Including where risks or potential issues in the control environment have been identified.
• Maintaining up to date knowledge of the regulatory framework in the UK and determining how changes affect Willis GB.
• Business horizon scanning to identify upcoming developments and monitoring of internal policies, procedures and controls to ensure adequacy against new ventures.
• Escalate regulatory issues to the WL Chief Compliance Officer and where appropriate, work with compliance management to resolve these.
• Work closely with the Head of Central Compliance.
• Provide input in scoping proposed reviews and recommending topics to the Head of Central Compliance for inclusion within the Willis Limited Compliance plan.
• Provide constructive input into Central Compliance Monitoring reports prior to distribution to the business.
• Support the Central Compliance team in the sourcing and collection of data for regulatory returns.
• Support the Central Compliance team in ensuring regulatory horizon scanning relevant to Willis Limited is completed and appropriate actions are taken in response to items highlighted.

• Identify and assess compliance risks within the business.
• Discussing promptly with the LoB management team where any compliance or regulatory issues arise.
• Provide technical regulatory advice and support to the business in understanding its responsibilities and obligations under relevant Willis policies and regulatory requirements.
• Compare and analyse management information produced by the business, Compliance Monitoring reports, internal/external audit reports as a means of determining potential risks and weaknesses in internal controls, discussing key findings with the business.
• Review and challenge the design and structuring of new products and services from the business to ensure that they meet legal and regulatory requirements and internal compliance policies and standards.
• Identify compliance training needs within the business, taking advantage of available resources, contributing to online training as well as developing and delivering specific training materials to the business.
• Proactively develop and maintain relationships with the LoB at all levels, to foster a collaborative approach to embedding a strong compliance culture.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of the regulatory framework in the UK and determining how changes affect Willis GB.
• Horizon scanning to identify upcoming developments within the business and monitoring of internal policies, procedures and controls to ensure adequacy against new ventures.
• Involvement in the business risk assessment process, providing support in the identification of appropriate risks, specifically, using commercial awareness to provide challenge so that compliance risks are appropriately managed.
• Attend all formal (as defined by terms of reference) Business Unit Executive and Governance Meetings, providing meaningful updates and management information, to support the business in meeting its regulatory obligations.
• Co-ordinate with Internal Audit on those activities that cover compliance obligations (during a review and in an ongoing way).

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent.
• Likely that the job holder will also have a relevant professional qualification – for example either in legal, accountancy or business profession.
• Significant London Insurance Market knowledge.
• Excellent regulatory and corporate governance knowledge/understanding required including experience of leading a compliance team.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, with proven ability to engage effectively with senior management and direct reports to promote an effective and business focused compliance culture.
• Engaging leadership style, with a proven ability to lead and motivate others.
• Ability to work, both individually and as a team, under pressure to tight timelines and without direct supervision.
• Proactive and a self-starter.
• Demonstrates high integrity at all times.
• Organised and methodical.
• Excellent analytical problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Strong commercial awareness, and able to demonstrate a pragmatic and proactive approach to managing compliance.
• Commitment to continuous professional development, and maintaining excellent understanding of regulatory developments.
• Must be committed to maintaining a robust compliance culture and high ethical standards.
• Fluent business English essential.
• IT literate – knowledge of Microsoft office packages needed.

What We Offer

Enjoy a benefits package designed to help you thrive, both professionally and personally. You'll receive 25 days of annual leave plus an extra WTW day to relax and recharge. Our comprehensive health and wellbeing offering includes private healthcare, life insurance, group income protection, and regular health assessments, all giving you peace of mind. Secure your future with our defined contribution pension scheme, featuring matched contributions up to 10% from the company. We support your growth and balance with hybrid working options, access to an employee assistance programme, and a fully paid volunteer day to make a difference in your community. On top of these, you can opt into a variety of additional perks including an electric vehicle car scheme, share scheme, cycle-to-work programme, dental and optical cover, critical illness protection, and much more. Start making the most of your career and wellbeing with a range of benefits tailored for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re committed to equal employment opportunity and provide application, interview and workplace adjustments and accommodations to all applicants. If you foresee any barriers, from the application process through to joining WTW, please email candidate.helpdesk@wtwco.com