Head of Risk & Compliance

THE COMPANY: Our client is a boutique financial services firm based in St Albans, seeking a Head of Risk and Compliance on a permanent basis. This is a great opportunity for someone to work locally in a close-knit team.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Ensure that the companies have the correct level of FCA regulatory oversight and that the procedures and monitoring activity adequately support the mandatory requirements expected for these businesses.
2. Provide Compliance and AML oversight and hold the associated FCA Senior Management functions SMF16 Compliance Oversight and SMF17 Money Laundering Reporting Officer.
3. Act as the Data Protection Officer.
4. Ensure regulatory returns are completed accurately and in a timely manner.
5. Review and communicate relevant regulatory developments to ensure the businesses are prepared for and able to comply with any new requirements.
6. Ensure all Director’s applications/or removals to the FCA are undertaken in a timely manner.
7. Chair the Risk Committees, be responsible for the maintenance of the Risk Register and identify, monitor and mitigate risk through monthly meetings and distribution of Minutes to the Board and SARC. Report on Risk to the Boards.
8. As owner of the Training and Competence Scheme, ensure (in conjunction with HR) that it is suitably documented and monitored annually.
9. Maintain appropriate relationships with relevant regulatory organisations.
10. Manage and carry out the Compliance Monitoring Plan in order to analyse the companies compliance with regulatory requirements including FCA obligations, Data Protection, Fraud Prevention and measures, Consumer Duty Basic Principals and anti-money laundering.
11. Create and deliver annual compliance review programme ensuring reviews are undertaken in a timely manner.
12. Maintain and govern Breach Register, ensuring Breaches are reported and remediated to a high standard and within the agreed SLA’s.
13. Oversee and input into Complaint Management service.
14. Analyse regulatory and procedural breaches and ensure that remedial actions have been taken to mitigate against future occurrence.
15. Own and monitor the operation of PEP and Sanctions screening tool to satisfy the regulatory requirements of clients.
16. Maintain the Compliance Manuals.
17. Produce and present quarterly compliance reports to the Boards.
18. Assist in other compliance matters as directed by the Boards.
19. Escalate any ISO security risk within the Business to the Chief Security Officer (CSO).
20. Act as ISO security Risk Owner for Compliance and ensure ISO audits are completed accurately and on time in liaison with the CSO.
21. Ensure all applicable laws attributable are reviewed and maintained in the ISMS at least annually.
22. Implement controls, document procedures and complete risk assessment reviews as required.
23. Be responsible for the protection of assets detailed in the Consolidated Risk Register.
24. Ensure that any Compliance security breaches are completed within 24 hours as per the procedures, escalating any residual risk to the CSO.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

1. Highly delivery-focused in getting the job done, consistently producing work outputs of a very high quality.
2. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and able to identify and build important strategic relationships internally and externally.
3. Inspirational communication style – both written and spoken, that builds confidence.
4. Strong experience in Financial Services, preferably in Investment and Life Protection.
5. At least 10 years in the Compliance sector.
6. Proven experience in managing a small compliance team, working at all levels from daily sanction checks to reporting to the Board at senior level.
7. Degree holder and appropriate qualifications in financial services.
8. Strong awareness of the FCA handbook and data protection.

For further information please contact Duncan Jeffery.