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
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:
• Design, develop and implement the UK compliance framework that aligns with long-term
organisational goals and adhere to FCA regulations and guidelines;
• Lead regulatory engagement, maintain open and constructive relationships with the FCA and other regulatory bodies, as well as engagement 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
policies;
• Stay abreast of changes in regulatory requirements, industry standards and update compliance
policies accordingly;
• Identify, assess, and mitigate compliance risks across the organization; and
• Collaborate with other departments to integrate compliance considerations into business processes and decision-making.
Policy Development & Training:
• 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.
Commercial Awareness:
• Strong understanding of the UK and international regulatory landscape, with the ability to anticipate changes and assess their impact on business strategies.
• Demonstrates capability to balance regulatory obligations with commercial objectives, ensuring
compliance supports sustainable growth.
• Ability to communicate complex compliance issues in a clear, pragmatic way that resonates with
commercial teams and senior leadership.
• Proven track record of acting as a trusted advisor to the Board and Executive Committee,
influencing strategic decisions with sound compliance judgment.
• Demonstrates ability to embed compliance into the broader business agenda.
Experience and Qualifications/Capabilities
• 10 years (+) in general regulatory compliance either in financial institutions or reputable
international consulting firms.
• Work experience in e-commerce, payments or card schemes industry is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally and manage different stakeholders within the
organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in fast-paced environment.
• Able to provide pragmatic and considered advice under tight deadlines.
• Possess a practical approach to problem-solving and be able to counsel internal clients with
clear and concise advice.
• Goal driven, result oriented and focus on the deliverables.
• Strong ability to understand internal and corporate governance, processes and controls.
• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.
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