Waterhouse-Kern Associates is proud to be partnering with a large payments firm to secure them a new Chief Compliance Officer. Please note this role does not cover Financial Crime – we will only be accepting applications from people who have significant experience in Regulatory Compliance.
Role Summary
Our client is looking to hire a Chief Compliance Officer based in the UK to maintain its UK licence as well as acting as a strategic business partner. The position will be part of a growing European & UK Compliance team supporting the business, in particular the provision of payments and financial services to corporate customers. We are looking to hire a detail-oriented, collaborative and agile regulatory compliance professional who is able to take the initiative to work closely with internal business, operations and various functional keystakeholders within the business, to support the achievement of business targets and objectives, and to comply with and fulfil regulatory obligations and expectations. A suitable candidate will be a seasoned and experienced Chief Compliance Officer for a financial institution in the UK with strong interpersonal, project management and stakeholder management skills and one who thrives working in a fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop and implement the UK compliance framework that aligns with long‑term organisational goals and adheres to FCA regulations and guidelines;
- Lead regulatory engagement, maintain open and constructive relationships with the FCA and other regulatory bodies, and engage with auditors and banking partners from a compliance perspective;
- Communicate compliance updates and regulatory changes to senior management and relevant stakeholders;
- Monitor and assess the organisation’s compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and internal standards;
- Stay abreast of changes in regulatory requirements, industry standards and update compliance policies accordingly;
- Identify, assess, and mitigate compliance risks across the organization;
- Collaborate with other departments to integrate compliance considerations into business processes and decision‑making;
- Develop and enforce compliance policies and procedures to guide the organisation’s operations;
- Design and deliver compliance training programs to educate employees on regulatory requirements and internal policies;
- Foster a culture of compliance within the organisation by promoting ethical behavior and adherence to regulatory standards;
- Demonstrate strong understanding of the UK and international regulatory landscape, anticipating changes and assessing their impact on business strategies;
- Balance regulatory obligations with commercial objectives, ensuring compliance does not impede business efficiency;
- Communicate complex compliance issues in a clear, pragmatic way that resonates with commercial teams and senior leadership;
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Board and Executive Committee, influencing strategic decisions with sound compliance judgment;
- Embed compliance into the broader business agenda.
Experience and Qualifications/Capabilities
- 10+ years in general regulatory compliance within financial institutions or reputable international consulting firms;
- Experience in e‑commerce, payments or card‑scheme industry preferred;
- Ability to collaborate cross‑functionally and manage different stakeholders within the organisation;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast‑paced environment;
- Ability to provide pragmatic and considered advice under tight deadlines;
- Practical approach to problem‑solving and counsel internal clients with clear and concise advice;
- Goal‑driven, result‑oriented with focus on deliverables;
- Strong ability to understand internal and corporate governance, processes and controls;
- Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
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