Head of Compliance

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Assume the role of SMF16 (post-probation sign-off — Compliance Oversight) as the FCA-accountable senior manager for compliance across secured loans, mortgages, bridging, and protection.

• Take ownership of and enhance the compliance framework, policies, and procedures across all four verticals, placing particular emphasis on secured loans due to its scale and risk profile.

• Adopt a pragmatic, risk-based approach — recognize the distinction between genuine regulatory requirements and internal process preferences, avoiding unnecessary embellishments on the latter.

• Efficiently and proportionately investigate and resolve compliance issues and complaints — focusing on identifying and addressing root causes instead of merely responding to problems.

• Maintain the balance between first-line ownership and second-line oversight: guide brokers, underwriters, and product teams to take ownership of their own controls rather than having compliance manage it for them.

• Lead the implementation of Consumer Duty across all four verticals — ensuring fair value, consumer understanding, and positive outcomes are evidenced throughout, not solely implied through TCF and disclosures.

• Leverage AI to actively redesign and expedite compliance processes — collaborating with Product and Technology to ensure new systems are compliant by design rather than just monitored post-implementation.

• Develop a tech-enabled compliance function — automating monitoring, reporting, and controls while maintaining regulatory standards.

• Monitor regulatory changes across CONC, MCOB, and insurance distribution rules, translating these into practical, product-specific actions.

• Serve as the in-house authority on monitoring, conduct risk, Consumer Duty, Treating Customers Fairly, SM&CR, and FCA reporting.

• Utilize data and MI to proactively identify root causes and trends, rather than merely reacting to issues after they arise.

• Collaborate with leaders in each vertical and their teams to provide guidance, training, and daily compliance support.

• Evaluate documentation, disclosures, and marketing across all product lines for clarity and fairness in outcomes.

• Act as the primary liaison with the FCA alongside the CEO, overseeing regulatory submissions and ongoing communication.

⛳️ Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in a senior compliance role within financial services, preferably covering multiple regulated lending products (secured/second-charge loans, first-charge mortgages, bridging) and/or protection or insurance distribution.

• Currently SMF16-approved or prepared to be nominated for approval.

• Strong understanding of the UK regulatory landscape — including FCA rules, CONC, MCOB, and SM&CR.

• Proven ability to scale compliance capabilities without increasing headcount — leveraging technology and improved processes to enhance the effectiveness of a small team in a rapidly growing, multi-product regulated business.

• A pragmatic and commercially-oriented approach to compliance — able to differentiate between significant regulatory risks and internal process preferences, calibrating efforts accordingly.

• A solid understanding of the three lines of defence model, particularly the distinction between first-line risk ownership (the business) and second-line oversight (compliance).

• Experience in leading or enhancing complaint oversight, root-cause analysis, and ensuring fair customer outcomes.

• Familiarity with implementing tech-driven compliance controls, monitoring systems, or automated reporting — with a genuine interest in utilizing AI to optimize processes, not just for enforcement.

• Commercial awareness — capable of maintaining a balance on risk without becoming a bottleneck.

• Confident and straightforward communication skills — able to convey complex regulations effectively to brokers and leadership alike.

• Comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, remote-first environment.

• Professional compliance qualifications (e.g., CRCM or equivalent) are desirable; CeMAP or similar qualifications are a bonus, but not essential.

🏝️ Benefits

• BUPA health coverage

• Perkbox rewards and discounts

• Company pension plan

• Fully remote position

• An opportunity to influence and innovate the compliance function within a next-generation brokerage that is actively investing in growth.