Head of Compliance - Chester

Role and Responsibilities:

• Working with the firm’s Chief Risk & Compliance Officer/MLRO to ensure the firm remains in compliance with its regulatory obligations (including, but not limited to, SMCR, the Consumer Duty and Relevant FSMA regulated activities).

• Second line of defence, facilitating the building and/or monitoring/challenging the first line of defence controls within the firm’s risk and compliance framework.

• Support the delivery and effectiveness of the firms Non-Financial Risk management framework, and the Enterprise Risk management framework.

• Responsible for the firm’s whistleblowing framework, ensuring that staff are aware of the policy and that the whistle-blowers are protected and their names remain confidential.

Working with and as part of the firm’s Core Management Team you will:

• Monitor and interpret regulatory change and developments to ensure the impact on the business is highlighted and assessed;
• Oversee any projects to implement regulatory change;
• Ensure that changes required to the Firm’s policies and procedures are pro-actively evaluated, identified and remedied;
• Contribute to assessments to ensure the integrity of compliance policies and controls in place;
• Complete internal risk assessments where appropriate;
• Provide reports for senior management on current, emerging and thematic risks and issues;
• Ensure staff familiarity with compliance procedures;
• Oversee a regular programme of compliance monitoring to FCA standards and ensure the company is fully compliant with current rules;
• Contribute to product reviews and new product creation to ensure product governance;
• Oversight of any financial promotions to ensure they are compliant and fair, clear and not misleading;
• Providing training support and advice across the business and ensure all staff meet the training and competence requirements;
• Input on all FCA regulatory reporting (RegData, Connect etc);
• Acting as point of contact with the FCA and other regulatory bodies where required and communicating effectively with them;
• Identification and monitoring of risks for the business and taking responsibility for managing Risk;
• Manage the periodic reporting to the firm’s Senior Management to identify compliance priorities and risks;
• Create and sustain a positive compliance culture within the business.

Core Competencies and Knowledge:

• Extensive knowledge of the relevant regulatory landscape (including but not limited to FSMA, CCA and relevant provisions of FCA Handbook)
• Senior compliance officer level experience is essential;
• Capable of managing complexity;
• Strong communication skills - able to articulate complex matters simply;
• Strong diplomacy and negotiating - able to reach acceptable conclusion where there are divergent views, but stand firm where that is required;
• Possess great personal and professional integrity - highly credible and respected by key partners;
• Strong judgement - able to identity and focus on key issues and guide and advise others.
• Experience of managing and developing colleagues across multiple locations.
• Skilled communicator with experience in dealing with a range of stakeholders including executives and other senior leaders.
• Commercially aware with the ability to make decisions that identify and consider risks specific to the business.