Compliance Manager

Hollybank Trustees Ltd

Ilkley

Hybrid

GBP 70,000 - 90,000

Full time

10 hours ago

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Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday rising to 30

Private Medical Insurance

Company pension scheme

Life Assurance – 4x annual salary

Volunteer day per year

Enhanced parental offers

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

SmartSearch is seeking a Compliance Manager to lead regulatory compliance across the group, advising on AML, KYC, and product controls. You will coordinate with Product, Technology, and Legal to ensure policies meet evolving requirements and industry best practices.

You will oversee certification, assurance activities, and governance with regulators, while guiding teams through complex regulatory changes and risk-based decisions to protect clients and the business.

Qualifications

Strong knowledge of AML, CTF, sanctions and financial crime controls.
Experience advising on regulatory changes and risk-based decision-making.
Ability to translate complex regulated obligations into practical actions for product and client teams.
Experience with KYC/KYB, due diligence, screening and digital identity.
Excellent communication and influencing skills with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Provide governance and oversight across SmartSearch Group products and services.
Lead certification, accreditation and assurance activities with regulators and auditors.
Act as SME for AML, CTF, sanctions and related regulatory obligations.
Collaborate with Product, Technology, Legal, and Operations to maintain compliant offerings.
Monitor risks, metrics and escalation decisions to improve compliance and client outcomes.
Drive horizon scanning and response to regulatory changes.”],
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job_summary_short

Skills

AML knowledge

Regulatory compliance

KYC/KYB

Due diligence

Regulatory change management

Excellent communication

Problem solving

Education

Compliance qualification (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Hybrid / Ilkley LS29 8FL, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Finance & Legal | Legal & Compliance
Salary: Competitive salary

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