Head of FCA Compliance Risk - Retail Bank / Payments firm

JR United Kingdom; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of FCA Compliance Risk to lead and shape the risk culture within a growing retail bank. This pivotal role involves overseeing compliance strategies, providing strategic assurance to senior leadership, and driving real change in a dynamic regulatory landscape. With a remote-first approach, you will have the opportunity to influence decision-making at the highest levels while ensuring the firm thrives amidst challenges. If you are passionate about making a significant impact in a smaller, family-oriented organization, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Extensive FCA compliance and risk experience in retail banking or payments.
• Ability to influence and challenge senior leadership effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s approach to regulatory and compliance risk.
• Provide strategic assurance to the Board and senior leadership.
• Develop and implement risk strategies for long-term sustainability.

Skills

Regulatory Compliance

Risk Management

Strategic Leadership

Influencing Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Experience in FCA and PRU regulated environments

Job description

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Head of FCA Compliance Risk - Retail Bank / Payments firm, United Kingdom

Client:

Fleet Search + Selection

Location:

Not specified

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Views:

5

Posted:

24.04.2025

Expiry Date:

08.06.2025

Job Description:

Head of FCA Compliance Risk - Retail Bank / Payments firm

4/5 days at home.

What if this role was more than just a job?

What if you had the opportunity to lead, influence, and shape the risk culture of a growing organisation — while reporting directly to senior leadership?

What if you were given the platform to use your large high street banking regulatory compliance risk experience to challenge, coach, and guide at a strategic level, ensuring regulatory excellence and real business impact?

And what if your expertise didn’t just protect the business but empowered it to thrive in a complex and changing landscape?

What if you were tired of working in a large corporate environment and wanted to make an impact in a smaller family-oriented organisation?

If that sounds like the kind of challenge that excites you, contact me.

Your Role

Sitting within the Second Line of Defence, your role is to lead, oversee, and elevate the firm’s approach to regulatory and compliance risk. You will provide strategic assurance to the Board, Audit & Risk Committee, and Senior Leadership, ensuring the business meets the rules and culture of compliance.

This role is not about ticking boxes. It’s about proactively shaping the risk agenda, ensuring the firm’s continued success in a complex regulatory environment.

About the Role

As Head of Regulatory and Compliance Risk, you will:

1. Be the Trusted Advisor – Senior leaders will look to you for insight, challenge, and assurance on compliance risks.
2. Lead the Risk Culture – Instil a forward-thinking, business-empowered approach to risk, ensuring compliance is seen as a driver of success, not a blocker.
3. Own the Risk & Compliance Framework – Develop and implement risk strategies for regulatory compliance that support long-term sustainability.
4. Coach, Challenge, Influence – Work with the 1LOD and 3LOD to embed a risk-aware culture across the business.
5. Stay Ahead of the Curve – Monitor emerging regulatory trends and horizon risks, ensuring proactive adaptation.
6. Make an Impact at the Top – Support the Chief Risk Officer in setting the risk strategy and presenting to the Board.
7. Drive Real Change – Lead assurance reviews, control testing, and audit activities to add real business value.
8. This is a Compliance and Regulatory Risk role but as the second most senior individual in the small team, you will also be responsible for deputising for the Chief Risk Officer as required.

Are You the Right Fit?

1. Do you have the credibility to challenge and influence senior leadership?
2. Can you balance commercial awareness with regulatory expertise?
3. Do you think like a strategist while delivering with precision?
4. Are you the kind of leader who makes things happen rather than watches from the sidelines?

If so, you already know this opportunity is for you.

Why Join?

1. Be at the Heart of Decision-Making – Work at a strategic level, directly influencing the Board and Executive team.
2. Remote-First, Impact-Driven – Work flexibly while leading high-impact projects across the business.
3. Challenge, Shape, and Lead – This isn’t about “keeping the lights on.” It’s about driving risk excellence.
4. Be Part of Something Bigger – A growing, forward-thinking organisation where your expertise is valued at the highest levels.

You MUST have:

1. Previous FCA and PRU regulated compliance and risk experience within a retail banking or payments firm.
2. UK Visa and won't require sponsorship in the future.

Next Steps

If you’re curious, feel free to apply, and I will review your CV.