Compliance Manager

SmartSearch; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday rising to 30 with each

Private Medical Insurance

Company pension scheme

Life Assurance - 4x

1 day paid volunteering per year

Enhanced maternity / paternity

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

On site gym

Job summary

SmartSearch is seeking a Compliance Manager to advise and support the SmartSearch Group, including SmartSearch, Credas and any current or future group entities, on regulatory compliance, product and operational controls, client-sector regulatory change, and best-practice risk management across the Group's KYC, KYB, AML, sanctions, identity verification and wider compliance services.

This individual will be responsible for supporting and strengthening compliance oversight across the Group,

Qualifications

• A recognised AML/Compliance qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Proven experience in compliance, financial crime, regulatory advisory, assurance or operational risk, ideally within a regulated, technology, SaaS, fintech or client-facing compliance environment.
• Strong knowledge of AML, CTF, sanctions, financial crime and wider regulatory requirements, with the ability to translate regulatory change into practical business, product and client-facing actions.
• Experience with KYC, KYB, due diligence, screening, monitoring, digital identity, document verification, compliance technology, vendors and assurance processes.
• Strong communicator and influencer, able to explain complex compliance matters in clear business language and provide pragmatic, proportionate recommendations.
• Commercially minded and solution-focused, able to balance regulatory expectations, client needs, operational realities and business objectives while maintaining appropriate compliance standards.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and identify workable options.
• Highly self-motivated, proactive and organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work under pressure and adapt to change.
• Must have good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and other productivity tools
• Able to horizon scan, interpret future regulatory change and explain the practical commercial, operational and client impact clearly.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall compliance oversight across SmartSearch Group's products, managed services and client-facing compliance solutions, ensuring outputs remain accurate, consistent, defensible and aligned with regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
• Lead certification, accreditation and assurance activities, managing relationships with regulators, government bodies, auditors, industry standards organisations and external assurance providers, while supporting governance, risk reporting and evidence-based decision-making.
• Act as the principal compliance subject matter expert, providing guidance, training, mentoring and quality assurance on AML, CTF, sanctions, fraud prevention, anti-bribery and corruption, tax evasion, digital identity, data protection and other relevant regulatory obligations.
• Partner closely with Product, Technology, Operations, Legal, Information Security, Sales and Client Success teams to ensure products, services and client commitments are designed, implemented and maintained in a compliant, scalable and commercially effective manner.
• Monitor operational performance, complaints, quality metrics and management information to identify trends, risks, training needs and process improvements, recommending proportionate actions to enhance compliance, client outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Oversee and support day-to-day compliance operations, including handling complex and escalated client queries, providing guidance on escalation decisions, supporting colleagues, and ensuring consistent adherence to policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement and change management initiatives, supporting policy, process, technology and business changes, coordinating with vendors and stakeholders to strengthen controls, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Lead regulatory change management and horizon scanning activities, assessing the impact of new and emerging laws, regulations, enforcement trends, products, markets and jurisdictions, ensuring risks are identified early and that policies, controls and client-facing materials remain current and effective.

Job description

SmartSearch's distinctive Anti-Money Laundering verification software protects our clients by offering the most advanced and comprehensive features available from an AML provider.

SmartSearch has grown rapidly by fostering an incredibly collaborative and supportive culture. As we continue our ambitious growth plans, we will strive to remain a truly exciting, rewarding, and unique place to work.

HOW WILL YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

The Compliance Manager will advise and support SmartSearch Group, including SmartSearch, Credas and any current or future group entities, on regulatory compliance, product and operational controls, client-sector regulatory change, and best-practice risk management across the Group's KYC, KYB, AML, sanctions, identity verification and wider compliance services.

This individual will be responsible for supporting and strengthening compliance oversight across the Group, ensuring that relevant teams operate to high standards, adhere to applicable policies and procedures, and respond effectively to regulatory, legal and best-practice developments affecting SmartSearch Group and its clients.

VARIED DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide overall compliance oversight across SmartSearch Group's products, managed services and client-facing compliance solutions, ensuring outputs remain accurate, consistent, defensible and aligned with regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
• Lead certification, accreditation and assurance activities, managing relationships with regulators, government bodies, auditors, industry standards organisations and external assurance providers, while supporting governance, risk reporting and evidence-based decision-making.
• Act as the principal compliance subject matter expert, providing guidance, training, mentoring and quality assurance on AML, CTF, sanctions, fraud prevention, anti-bribery and corruption, tax evasion, digital identity, data protection and other relevant regulatory obligations.
• Partner closely with Product, Technology, Operations, Legal, Information Security, Sales and Client Success teams to ensure products, services and client commitments are designed, implemented and maintained in a compliant, scalable and commercially effective manner.
• Monitor operational performance, complaints, quality metrics and management information to identify trends, risks, training needs and process improvements, recommending proportionate actions to enhance compliance, client outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Oversee and support day-to-day compliance operations, including handling complex and escalated client queries, providing guidance on escalation decisions, supporting colleagues, and ensuring consistent adherence to policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement and change management initiatives, supporting policy, process, technology and business changes, coordinating with vendors and stakeholders to strengthen controls, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Lead regulatory change management and horizon scanning activities, assessing the impact of new and emerging laws, regulations, enforcement trends, products, markets and jurisdictions, ensuring risks are identified early and that policies, controls and client-facing materials remain current and effective.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN A CANDIDATE?

• A recognised AML/Compliance qualification is desirable but not essential
• Proven experience in compliance, financial crime, regulatory advisory, assurance or operational risk, ideally within a regulated, technology, SaaS, fintech or client-facing compliance environment.
• Strong knowledge of AML, CTF, sanctions, financial crime and wider regulatory requirements, with the ability to translate regulatory change into practical business, product and client-facing actions.
• Experience with KYC, KYB, due diligence, screening, monitoring, digital identity, document verification, compliance technology, vendors and assurance processes.
• Strong communicator and influencer, able to explain complex compliance matters in clear business language and provide pragmatic, proportionate recommendations.
• Commercially minded and solution-focused, able to balance regulatory expectations, client needs, operational realities and business objectives while maintaining appropriate compliance standards.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and identify workable options.
• Highly self-motivated, proactive and organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work under pressure and adapt to change.
• Must have good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and other productivity tools
• Able to horizon scan, interpret future regulatory change and explain the practical commercial, operational and client impact clearly.

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE AT SMARTSEARCH?

• We are a multi-award winning Tech company with an aspirational mentality
• Some of our most recent recognitions include: named in the renowned RegTech100 list for 2024, listed in the Top 100 Fasted Growing Tech Companies by Northern Tech Awards 2024 as well as being named Technology Provider of the Year by Corporate Finance Awards 2024
• We have been Great Place To Work Certified since 2022
• There are excellent progression opportunities due to our growth and you will have personal development goals, regular feedback and support
• We are a diverse and inclusive team committed to promoting Diversity & Inclusion and Social Responsibility. Through our DE&I group, charitable initiatives and support for local schools, we actively foster a positive Impact on our community

COMPANY BENEFITS

Our comprehensive benefit package includes:

• 25 days holiday rising to 30 with each year of service
• Private Medical Insurance covering dental and optical
• Company pension scheme
• Life Assurance - 4x your annual salary
• 1 day paid volunteering per year
• Enhanced maternity / paternity offerings
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to work scheme
• On site gym