Chief Compliance Officer – Job Description
Location: Liverpool – Office Based
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer / Board of Directors
Contract: Full-time
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Compliance Officer to lead and oversee the organisation’s compliance, regulatory, and governance functions. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the business operates in full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, with particular focus on Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) obligations relating to Claims Management Companies (CMCs).
This executive leadership role requires a highly knowledgeable compliance professional with extensive experience within regulated environments, strong commercial awareness, and a proven ability to implement effective governance and risk management frameworks. The Chief Compliance Officer will play a critical role in shaping the organisation’s compliance culture, advising senior leadership, and maintaining strong relationships with regulators and key stakeholders.Key Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the organisation’s compliance strategy and governance framework in line with FCA regulations and industry best practice. Ensure ongoing compliance with FCA Handbook requirements, including CMCOB, SYSC, PRIN, DISP, Consumer Duty obligations, and other relevant regulatory standards. Provide strategic compliance advice and regulatory guidance to the Board, senior leadership team, and operational departments. Act as the principal liaison with the FCA and other regulatory authorities, managing audits, reviews, investigations, and regulatory communications. Oversee all regulatory reporting, notifications, attestations, and submissions, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Maintain responsibility for SMCR governance and ensure the firm meets all Senior Managers & Certification Regime obligations. Support Board governance activities, including reporting on compliance performance, regulatory risks, and emerging legislative developments.
Claims Management Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with all FCA Claims Management Conduct of Business rules and associated legislation. Oversee compliance across all claims management activities, including customer onboarding, claims handling, marketing, complaints handling, and fee transparency.
- Monitor operational practices to ensure fair customer outcomes, transparency, and adherence to Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles and Consumer Duty expectations. Review and approve financial promotions, customer communications, and marketing materials to ensure regulatory compliance. Ensure robust controls and oversight of client file management, record retention, and audit trails.
Risk Management & Monitoring
- Develop and maintain an enterprise-wide compliance risk management framework. Lead the compliance monitoring programme, including thematic reviews, quality assurance checks, internal audits, and ongoing risk assessments. Identify regulatory and operational risks, recommending practical mitigation strategies aligned with business objectives. Lead investigations into compliance breaches, incidents, or customer complaints, ensuring appropriate root cause analysis and remediation plans are implemented. Provide regular reporting and MI to senior management and the Board regarding compliance risks, trends, and monitoring outcomes.
Policy & Framework Development
- Create, implement, and maintain compliance policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks. Ensure policies remain aligned with regulatory expectations and operational requirements. Oversee GDPR and data protection compliance, ensuring effective controls around the handling of sensitive customer and financial information. Support operational teams by providing practical compliance guidance and ensuring policies are embedded effectively across the organisation.
Training & Compliance Culture
- Develop and deliver compliance training programmes across the organisation to ensure awareness of regulatory obligations and ethical standards. Promote a strong culture of integrity, accountability, transparency, and customer-focused conduct throughout the business. Provide coaching and support to senior leaders and department heads on compliance and regulatory matters. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen compliance awareness and operational effectiveness.
Skills & Experience
Essential
- Extensive senior-level compliance experience within a regulated financial services or claims management environment.
- Previous experience operating as SMF16 and/or SMF17. In-depth knowledge of FCA regulations, including CMCOB, SYSC, PRIN, DISP, Consumer Duty, and broader conduct risk frameworks. Strong understanding of Claims Management Company regulatory requirements and operational compliance obligations. Proven experience leading compliance functions, regulatory engagement, and governance frameworks. Experience managing compliance monitoring programmes, internal audits, and risk management frameworks. Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at Board and executive level. Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving capabilities. Ability to balance regulatory requirements with commercial and operational objectives.
Desirable Professional compliance qualifications such as ICA, CISI, or equivalent. Legal, risk management, or audit background. Experience within consumer finance, legal services, or claims handling sectors. Knowledge of AML, financial crime, data protection, and financial promotions regulations.
Personal Attributes
- High Integrity and Ethical Standards Strategic Leadership and Commercial Awareness Independent and Objective Decision-Making Strong Leadership and Influencing Skills Excellent Communication and Stakeholder Management Attention to Detail and Analytical Thinking Proactive and Solution-Focused Approach Resilience and Professional Confidence Strong Organisational and Governance Skills Collaborative and Relationship-Oriented Mindset
Why Join Us?
- Competitive Executive Salary and benefits package. Opportunity to shape and lead the compliance strategy of a growing organisation. Dynamic and collaborative working environment. Strong commitment to professional development and career progression. Opportunity to work closely with executive leadership and influence strategic business decisions.
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