Head of Regulatory Affairs

SWIFT; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services organization based in Sunderland seeks a Head of Regulatory Affairs. The role involves shaping regulatory strategies, advising on compliance, and leading a high-performing team. The ideal candidate will have over ten years of experience in regulatory affairs and hold a degree in Law. This position offers a competitive package and the chance to influence policy engagement within a dynamic global environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• More than ten years experience in regulatory affairs or policy roles in financial services.
• Proven ability to mentor and build high-impact teams.
• Expertise across regulatory domains impacting financial infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Define and deliver a global regulatory affairs strategy.
• Monitor global regulatory developments across payment and data protection.
• Provide analysis and advice on regulatory changes.

Skills

Regulatory affairs experience

Legal expertise

Analytical skills

Leadership ability

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Law

Job description

ABOUT US

We’re the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services, headquartered in Belgium. We are the way the world moves value – across borders, through cities and overseas. No other organisation can address the scale, precision, pace and trust that this demands, and we’re proud to support the global economy.

We’re unique too. We were established to find a better way for the global financial community to move value – a reliable, safe and secure approach that the community can trust, completely. We’re always striving to be better and are constantly evolving in an ever-changing landscape, without undermining that trust. Five decades on, our vibrant community reflects the complexity and diversity of the financial ecosystem. We innovate diligently, test exhaustively, then implement fast. In a connected and exciting era, our mission has never been more relevant. Swift now has a presence in 200+ countries and legal territories to serve a community of more than 12,000 banks and financial institutions.

The Head of Regulatory Affairs will lead our consolidated regulatory affairs function within Legal & Compliance, bringing together critical areas such as data protection, financial sanctions, payments, and cybersecurity. While the data protection and sanctions teams will continue to carry out operational responsibilities reflecting their transversal nature, they will report into the Head to ensure strategic alignment and a unified regulatory affairs approach. This senior leadership role provides proactive, strategic regulatory advice directly to the business, helping shape decision-making and anticipating regulatory impact. It works in close partnership with the Regulatory Compliance team, which is responsible for demonstrating compliance and assurance to regulators, while Regulatory Affairs leads on regulatory interpretation, strategic positioning, and policy engagement, in close collaboration with the Public Affairs team.

Core responsibilities

• Define and deliver a forward-looking global regulatory affairs strategy across all relevant jurisdictions
• Monitor and assess global regulatory developments across a broad range of areas relevant to Swift’s activities, including payments, data protection, financial sanctions, cybersecurity, operational resilience, and emerging digital and financial technologies
• Identify key regulatory themes and trends, assessing potential challenges and opportunities for the company and advising senior stakeholders accordingly
• Provide timely, business-focused analysis and advice on the strategic impact of regulatory change across key global markets
• Lead the organisation’s global approach to engaging with policymakers and regulators on emerging regulatory developments and interpretations, in close collaboration with Public Affairs
• Partner with the Regulatory Compliance team to ensure global regulatory insights are effectively translated into operational implementation and consistent enterprise understanding
• Lead and develop a high-performing, globally oriented regulatory affairs function, including the data protection and sanctions teams, balancing strategic leadership with recognition of their ongoing operational roles. Position regulatory affairs as a trusted strategic partner and a centre of excellence for regulatory insight.

Key qualifications

• More than ten years of experience in regulatory affairs, legal, or policy roles within financial services, fintech, or infrastructure
• A degree in Law is required
• Expertise across key regulatory domains impacting financial infrastructure, including data protection, sanctions, payments, cyber resilience, and the evolving regulation of digital assets and technologies
• A strong track record of analysing regulatory developments and advising senior business leaders on complex and high-impact issues
• Demonstrated success in collaborating with legal, compliance, and public affairs teams to align regulatory strategy with business objectives
• Proven leadership capability, with the ability to inspire, mentor, and build a high-impact team while contributing to broader strategic priorities

Why join

This is a unique opportunity to shape a newly consolidated regulatory affairs function at Swift, bringing together critical and evolving areas of regulatory focus. The role offers the chance to advise the business at the highest strategic levels, influence policy engagement globally, and partner closely with Regulatory Compliance and Public Affairs teams. You will be instrumental in positioning regulatory affairs as a centre of excellence and a trusted strategic partner within a dynamic and critical global organisation.

What we offer

We put you in control of career

We give you a competitive package

We help you perform at your best

We help you make a difference

We give you the freedom to be yourself

We give you the freedom to be yourself. We are creating an environment of unique individuals – like you – with different perspectives on the financial industry and the world. A diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone’s voice counts and where you can reach your full potential.

If you believe you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us to request accommodation.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Swift, we are dedicated to building a workplace where people can bring their full selves and ideas to the team, so if you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification.