Head of Legal, Compliance and MLRO (UK entity & SMF 17/16)

Head of Legal & Compliance (SMF16/17)

An established international bank is seeking an experienced Head of Legal & Compliance to lead its UK operations. This senior management function reports directly to the CEO and plays a critical role in ensuring the firm’s adherence to UK regulatory requirements. The role offers the opportunity to shape compliance culture, oversee legal matters, and provide strategic input at executive and board level.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee regulatory compliance, AML, sanctions, ABC, fraud and financial crime frameworks.
• Deliver the Compliance Monitoring Plan and report key risk indicators to senior management and the Board.
• Manage interactions with regulators (FCA, PRA) and internal/external stakeholders.
• Oversee the preparation of MLRO reports and enterprise‑wide risk assessments.
• Lead compliance training and competency programmes across departments.
• Provide legal advice and oversight on contracts, litigation, and governance matters.
• Manage relationships with external legal counsel and ensure effective resolution of legal matters.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in senior legal and compliance roles within retail banking.
• Strong knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks (FCA/PRA) and expectations under SMF16/17.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing multi‑disciplinary compliance and legal teams.

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