Head of Compliance

Fidarsi; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

London office access

Remote/hybrid work option

Job summary

Fidarsi seeks a Global Head of Compliance to lead SMF16/17 and oversee UK and international compliance, including potential in-house expansion of outsourced functions as the business grows.

You will own regulatory frameworks, manage FCA relationships, and build a global compliance function with a hybrid London/remote setup.

Qualifications

• Proven experience holding SMF16 and/or SMF17 in a regulated investment firm.
• Genuine multi-jurisdictional compliance experience, including markets beyond the UK.
• Judgement to decide when to bring outsourced functions in-house and why.
• Track record building or embedding compliance frameworks from the ground up.
• Confidence operating at Board/ExCo level translating regulatory requirements into commercial solutions.

Responsibilities

• The SMF16 and SMF17 functions, acting as the firm's FCA contact on compliance and AML.
• Design and effectiveness of UK and group-wide compliance, SM&CR, and financial crime frameworks.
• Oversee compliance across international entities, shaping roadmap to in-house capability.
• Oversee AML/CTF, due diligence standards, sanctions screening and training.
• Provide credible challenge at Board and Executive Committee level.
• Manage regulatory change and horizon scanning beyond the FCA as the footprint grows.

Skills

SMF16/SMF17 experience

Compliance leadership

AML/CTF frameworks

Regulatory relationships

Board/ExCo liaison

Multi-jurisdictional

Job description

Global Head of Compliance (SMF16/17) | PE-Backed Financial Services | London/Remote

A private equity-backed financial services group — around 60 people, operating across seven locations internationally — is hiring a Global Head of Compliance to hold the SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (MLRO) functions.

The immediate priority is getting the UK compliance and financial crime framework in excellent shape. From there, the role carries overall ownership of compliance across the group's entire international footprint. Most overseas jurisdictions are currently supported through outsourced compliance arrangements — you'll be the person who decides when and how those functions get brought in-house as the business grows, and who builds the team to do it.

What you'll own:

• The SMF16 and SMF17 functions, acting as the firm's principal point of contact with the FCA on compliance and AML matters
• Design and effectiveness of the group's compliance, SM&CR and financial crime frameworks, starting with the UK
• Compliance oversight across all international entities, working with outsourced providers today and shaping the roadmap to bring capability in-house over time
• AML/CTF frameworks, due diligence standards, sanctions screening and financial crime training group-wide
• Credible challenge at Board and Executive Committee level
• Regulatory change management and horizon scanning, extending your regulator relationships beyond the FCA as the international function matures

What we're looking for:

• Proven experience holding SMF16 and/or SMF17 in a regulated investment firm
• Genuine multi-jurisdictional compliance experience — not just UK exposure. Ideally you've secured licences or managed regulatory relationships in markets like Portugal, the UAE or similar
• The judgement to operate effectively where compliance is currently outsourced in some locations, and the commercial sense to know what to bring in-house, and when
• A track record of building or embedding compliance frameworks from the ground up
• Confidence operating at Board/ExCo level, translating regulatory requirements into practical, commercial solutions

The package:

• Circa £150,000 base salary, plus bonus
• A London office is available, though most of the team works remotely/hybrid