Role: Head of Compliance (SMF 16)Sector: Financial TechSalary: £200,000 - £250,000Location: London / HybridAbout the CompanyA high-growth fintech business operating a large international digital investment and trading platform used by millions of retail customers globally. The organisation is technology-driven, product-led and continues to expand its regulated financial services infrastructure across multiple jurisdictions.As the business continues to evolve its payments capabilities, including the launch of card products and broader electronic money services, the company is strengthening its governance framework to support regulatory engagement and future scale.The Irish entity forms a key part of the organisation’s European regulatory structure and is currently progressing regulatory licence applications as part of its payments expansion strategy.The RoleThis is a key senior leadership appointment, responsible for leading the UK compliance function and operating as the SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) under the FCA regime.The role will be instrumental in shaping and embedding a best-in‑class compliance framework, ensuring the organisation meets its regulatory obligations while continuing to innovate and scale at pace.You will work closely with the executive team, including legal, risk, product and technology leadership, to ensure compliance is effectively integrated into business decision‑making, product development, and customer outcomes.This position requires a commercially minded compliance leader who can balance regulatory rigour with a pragmatic, growth‑oriented approach.Key ResponsibilitiesRegulatory Leadership & SMF AccountabilityAct as SMF16, holding regulatory accountability for compliance oversight within the UK entityServe as the primary point of contact for the FCA and other regulatory bodiesLead regulatory engagement, including audits, reviews, and supervisory interactionsEnsure ongoing compliance with FCA requirements, including SMCR, Consumer Duty and financial promotionsCompliance Framework & StrategyDesign, implement and continuously evolve the firm’s compliance framework in line with regulatory expectations and business growthDevelop policies, procedures and controls aligned with a scalable, multi‑jurisdictional operating modelEnsure effective monitoring, testing and reporting of compliance risks across the businessEmbed a strong culture of compliance across all functionsAdvisory & Business PartneringProvide strategic compliance advice to senior leadership and the boardPartner with product and technology teams to support compliant product development and innovationAdvise on regulatory implications of new market entry, product launches and structural changesBalance regulatory requirements with commercial objectives to enable growthRisk & GovernanceWork closely with Risk, Legal and Internal Audit to ensure alignment across the three lines of defenceSupport the development of governance structures appropriate for a scaling, regulated fintechOversee compliance reporting to the board and relevant committeesEnsure robust management information and reporting frameworksFinancial Crime & ConductOversee financial crime compliance, including AML, KYC, sanctions and transaction monitoring frameworksEnsure effective controls are in place to mitigate financial crime risksLead conduct risk initiatives, ensuring strong customer outcomes and alignment with Consumer DutyTeam Leadership & BuildLead, develop and scale the compliance team in line with business growthBuild capability across compliance monitoring, advisory and financial crime functionsFoster a high‑performance culture within the compliance functionCandidate ProfileThis role requires a highly credible compliance leader with deep experience operating within regulated financial services environments, ideally within fintech, trading platforms or digital bankingYou will be comfortable operating at executive level, influencing senior stakeholders, and engaging directly with regulatorsEssential ExperienceProven experience operating as SMF16 (or equivalent senior compliance role) within an FCA‑regulated firmDeep knowledge of UK financial services regulation, including FCA Handbook, SMCR and Consumer DutyStrong experience within fintech, trading platforms, payments or digital financial servicesTrack record of building and scaling compliance frameworks in high‑growth environmentsExperience managing regulatory relationships and leading regulatory interactionsPreferred BackgroundExperience within high‑growth or scaling fintech environmentsExposure to multi‑jurisdictional regulatory frameworks (EU or global markets)Background in businesses combining technology, product and financial servicesExperience working in fast‑paced, product‑led organisationsKey CharacteristicsCommercially minded with the ability to enable growth, not just control riskStrong stakeholder management and influencing skills at executive and board levelPragmatic and solutions‑oriented approach to compliance challengesComfortable operating in a fast‑moving, evolving environmentHigh levels of integrity, credibility and resilience #J-18808-Ljbffr