1st Line Risk & Compliance Manager - Fintech Start-up

Oliver James Associates Ltd.; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm is seeking a First Line Risk & Compliance Manager to develop robust compliance frameworks for a new venture. This pivotal role involves collaborating across departments, ensuring regulatory adherence, and fostering a culture of risk awareness, providing a unique opportunity for impact and growth.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a first line compliance or operational risk role, ideally in financial services.
• Good understanding of FCA regulations, especially SYSC and Consumer Duty.
• Experience in designing or embedding risk and compliance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a first line risk & compliance management framework.
• Provide guidance on regulatory obligations and conduct risk.
• Lead first line compliance monitoring and support training delivery.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Risk and compliance frameworks

FCA regulations

KYC

AML

Consumer Duty

Job description

First Line Risk & Compliance Manager

Location: London (hybrid)
Salary: £100,000 - £120,000 + benefits
Type: Permanent, full-time

Oliver James are partnering with a fast-growing, digitally led financial services firm who are looking for a First Line Risk & Compliance Manager to support a newly created business arm. This is a unique opportunity to join at the early stages of an ambitious, customer-focused venture backed by a well-established brand in the retirement space.

You'll work closely with key stakeholders to build and embed fit-for-purpose risk and compliance frameworks from the ground up - making this a highly visible and meaningful role for someone looking to shape how things are done.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement and maintain a first line risk & compliance management framework tailored to a growing direct-to-consumer business.

• Provide guidance to operational teams on regulatory obligations, particularly around Consumer Duty, KYC/AML, and conduct risk.

• Carry out risk assessments, control testing, and horizon scanning activities.

• Partner with product, proposition, and operations teams to ensure customer journeys meet regulatory standards.

• Lead on first line compliance monitoring, identifying potential risks and supporting issue resolution.

• Support the delivery of training, help shape internal policies, and contribute to creating a culture of risk awareness.

• Collaborate with second line compliance and risk teams to ensure alignment across the wider group.

Desirable Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in a first line compliance or operational risk role, ideally within financial services, fintech, insurance or pensions

• Good understanding of FCA regulations, especially around SYSC, Consumer Duty, KYC, and AML.

• Experience in designing or embedding risk and compliance frameworks in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills - able to influence across teams.

• Exposure to start-up, scale-up or D2C environments is essential.

• A collaborative, hands-on approach and a proactive mindset.

This is a rare opportunity to shape compliance and risk culture in a growing, mission-led business. You'll be part of a close-knit, forward-thinking team with room to grow and influence.

If you're looking to step into a role where you can have real impact from day one please apply below or email an up to date CV to [e-mail]