Head of Compliance UK

Saxo UK; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Saxo UK is recruiting for a Head of Compliance for Saxo Capital Markets (UK) Ltd. Based in London, this role leads the UK compliance function, shaping the group compliance agenda and coordinating with European teams.

The role reports to the Group Compliance leadership and sits on the UK leadership team. The successful candidate will oversee planning and execution of all compliance activities, manage the UK team of three, and ensure regulatory reporting and communications with UK regulators.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in compliance or AML within financial services or consulting
• Deep understanding of UK and European financial services regulations
• Proven track record with regulators and diverse compliance risk areas
• Strong leadership and stakeholder engagement capabilities

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning and execution of all compliance activities, including monitoring programmes, advisory services and management reporting
• Lead and support the UK Compliance team while collaborating with the wider Saxo Group Compliance function
• Hold SM16 & SMF17 senior management functions and manage regulatory reporting and communications
• Maintain close liaison with Group Compliance and other European teams to ensure alignment
• Keep abreast of evolving regulatory developments and provide proactive compliance guidance
• Contribute to regular compliance and AML reporting to the CEO and key stakeholders

Skills

Financial Crime

MiFID

MAR

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

London, United Kingdom

Join Saxo in a key leadership role as the Head of Compliance for Saxo Capital Markets (UK) Ltd (SCML). In this role, you will help shape our compliance agenda and partner with compliance leaders across the Saxo Group to support responsible business growth.

Saxo offers a leading online trading platform, connecting investors and traders to global financial markets.

SCML is an important entity in the Saxo Group. The position is based in London and is part of the Group Compliance European Management Team.

About The Job

As the Head of Compliance UK, you will have a broad scope of responsibility, influencing the strategic direction of the Group Compliance function, while leading a collaborative team of three. You will also have the opportunity to serve on the UK leadership team.

Group Compliance is a critical function within Saxo; in this role, you will ensure both the global and local regulatory needs are properly met.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning and execution of all compliance activities, including monitoring programmes, advisory services and management reporting
• Lead, manage and support the UK Compliance team while collaborating closely with the broader Saxo Group Compliance team
• Hold the SM16 & SMF17 senior management functions, taking full responsibility for regulatory reportings and communications with local regulators
• Maintain close liaison with Group Compliance and other European compliance teams to ensure alignment
• Keep abreast of evolving business and regulatory developments, providing proactive advice on compliance matters
• Contribute to regular compliance and AML reporting to the CEO and other key stakeholders

Your Profile

We are looking for a strong compliance professional with a positive attitude, a collaborative and proactive approach, and deep experience in key technical domains such as Financial Crime, MiFID, MAR etc.

You bring a comprehensive background in compliance, risk, and control. In addition, you have minimum 10 years of experience within a Compliance or AML Function inside a financial services environment or consulting firm. Your expertise includes a deep understanding of UK and European financial services regulations, alongside proven, hands‑on experience in dealing with regulators. Additionally, you possess a broad knowledge of diverse compliance risk areas and have demonstrated strong stakeholder engagement skills.

You aspire to become a leader and, while prior team management experience is not required, you can demonstrate clear instances where you have showcased your leadership skills. Additionally, your strong sense of independence ensures that the Compliance function consistently meets all local and group regulatory requirements.

If you are ready to take on a visible compliance leadership position in an international organisation, combining local UK regulatory responsibility with close collaboration across Saxo’s European compliance setup, we would like to hear from you.

Please note that the start date for this position is the 1st April 2027.

We look forward to receiving your application.

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When you work at Saxo, you become a Saxonian and part of a purpose-driven organisation, where good ideas are always taken seriously, and where you can make a true impact. We are invested in your development, and you can expect a robust career from day one when you join Saxo – no matter which role you take on.

You will join 2,500 other ambitious colleagues across 11 countries and become part of an international organisation. Working in Saxo, you will get to meet colleagues from many different cultures and backgrounds, and you should know that we value diversity and inclusion and see it as a genuine source of strength to drive growth, foster innovation and position us for long-term success.

We encourage an open feedback culture and supportive team environments enabling employees to grow and fulfil their career aspirations.

When you bring passion, curiosity, drive and team spirit, your learning journey will be dynamic and your career opportunities in Saxo will be immense.

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