Head of Compliance & DPO

ZipRecruiter; England; Hybrid; GBP 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK-regulated bank is seeking a Head of Compliance in a hybrid role, offering a competitive salary of up to £120,000. The successful candidate will ensure regulatory obligations are met while overseeing compliance and data protection standards. This strategic role involves leadership in compliance as well as contributing to the bank’s operational plans, ensuring a balance between regulatory requirements and an ethical corporate culture.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a senior compliance role within financial services.
• Strong knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks and AML regulations.
• Proven track record managing compliance teams and delivering assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Compliance function ensuring adherence to FCA and PRA frameworks.
• Act as the SMF16 and DPO providing expert compliance and data guidance.
• Oversee assessment of compliance risks for new products and initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory Compliance

Data Protection

Financial Crime Prevention

Education

Degree or relevant professional qualifications (e.g. ICA, CISI)

Job description

Job Description

Head of Compliance – SMF16 / DPO

Hybrid Working Available - 2/3 Days in the office

Greater London location

Up to £120,000 Base Salary

This is a great opportunity for a senior compliance professional who wants to step away from the hectic pace of city life but still work in a corporate financial services environment. Based in a well-connected Hertfordshire location, it offers a better work-life balance without compromising on career impact.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a strategic and experienced compliance professional to join a dynamic UK-regulated bank as Head of Compliance. This is a senior leadership role with accountability for the SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and DPO functions, alongside oversight responsibilities for SMF17 (MLRO). The position sits on the Senior Management Team and plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the firm’s regulatory obligations and data protection standards are consistently upheld.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the Compliance function, ensuring effective adherence to FCA and PRA regulatory frameworks.
• Act as the Bank’s SMF16 and Data Protection Officer (DPO), providing expert guidance on all aspects of compliance and data privacy.
• Oversight of the SMF17 (MLRO) function, ensuring robust financial crime controls, including AML, CTF, fraud, and ABC measures.
• Provide senior leadership with expert advice and assurance on regulatory compliance, conduct risks, and best market practice.
• Develop, implement and maintain a forward-looking Compliance Monitoring Plan, leading all second-line activity.
• Keep policies, frameworks and procedures aligned with evolving regulatory requirements and risk appetite.
• Oversee the assessment of compliance and financial crime risks for all new products, initiatives, and strategic decisions.
• Coordinate regulatory reporting and communications with the FCA, PRA, NCA and other relevant authorities.
• Deliver bank-wide training on regulatory, conduct and data protection matters.
• Maintain GDPR compliance in line with Article 39 obligations, including staff training, audits, and documentation of data processing activities.

Strategic & Leadership Involvement:

• Play a key role in the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to strategic and operational plans in line with Board objectives.
• Champion a culture of integrity, simplicity, and accountability while reinforcing ethical conduct across the bank.
• Ensure the bank’s operations reflect strong corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and customer-centric values.

What We’re Looking For:

• Significant experience in a senior compliance role within the banking or wider financial services sector. Preferably having held SM16 in a similar environment
• Strong knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks, FCA/PRA conduct rules, SMCR, AML regulations, and GDPR.
• Demonstrable experience engaging with regulators and delivering compliance assurance at Board level.
• A proven track record of managing compliance teams, driving change, and building robust control environments.
• Educated to degree level and/or holding relevant professional qualifications (e.g. ICA, CISI, or legal/compliance certifications).
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to influence, challenge and support at senior levels.

This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead the compliance agenda at a forward-thinking bank, helping ensure it continues to operate with integrity, clarity, and confidence.