Head of Ethics and Compliance

Job Description – Head of Compliance & MLRO Job Title Head of Compliance & Money Laundering Reporting Officer (SMF16 & SMF17) Location London, United Kingdom Reporting To Chief Executive Officer – UK Branch / Branch General Manager Regulatory Status Senior Management Function (SMF16 – Compliance Oversight & SMF17 – Money Laundering Reporting Officer) Role Overview An international bank is seeking an experienced Head of Compliance & MLRO to lead the Compliance and Financial Crime function for its FCA and PRA regulated UK Branch. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining an effective compliance and financial crime framework that supports the bank's strategic objectives while ensuring compliance with all applicable UK regulatory requirements. Acting as the approved SMF16 and SMF17, the individual will serve as the principal point of contact with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), National Crime Agency (NCA) and other relevant regulatory authorities. This role requires a commercially minded compliance leader capable of providing pragmatic regulatory advice whilst maintaining the highest standards of governance, conduct and risk management. Key Responsibilities Regulatory Compliance Act as the UK Branch's SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) and SMF17 (MLRO). Develop, maintain and oversee the Compliance Monitoring Programme. Ensure compliance with all applicable FCA, PRA and UK regulatory requirements. Advise senior management on regulatory developments and emerging risks. Lead the implementation of new regulatory requirements and regulatory change initiatives. Maintain the branch's compliance policies, procedures and governance framework. Oversee regulatory reporting and statutory submissions. Provide regulatory advice to business lines and support new product approvals. Deliver compliance training across the organisation. Financial Crime Maintain the Branch's Financial Crime Framework. Act as the Nominated Officer under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Review and submit Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) to the National Crime Agency. Oversee AML, CTF, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption and fraud risk frameworks. Ensure effective Customer Due Diligence (CDD), Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and ongoing monitoring processes. Monitor financial crime risks and emerging typologies. Manage sanctions screening and transaction monitoring oversight. Lead financial crime risk assessments and control testing. Governance & Risk Provide independent challenge to senior management and business functions. Attend Executive, Risk, Audit, Compliance and Board Committees. Produce Management Information (MI), Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and regulatory reporting. Oversee regulatory breaches and incident reporting. Manage thematic reviews and internal investigations. Support Internal Audit and External Audit reviews. Coordinate regulatory inspections and supervisory visits. Regulatory Engagement Build and maintain constructive relationships with the FCA and PRA. Manage all regulatory correspondence. Lead responses to regulatory enquiries and information requests. Coordinate Skilled Person Reviews (Section 166) where required. Support authorisations, permissions and regulatory change projects. Leadership Lead and develop the UK Compliance and Financial Crime team. Promote a strong culture of integrity, ethics and conduct. Mentor and develop junior compliance professionals. Manage departmental budgets and resource planning. Work collaboratively with Global Compliance, Risk, Legal and Internal Audit teams. Key Regulatory Knowledge Strong knowledge of: FCA Handbook PRA Rulebook Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR) UK Money Laundering Regulations Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) Terrorism Act Financial Services & Markets Act (FSMA) Consumer Duty Conduct Risk Market Abuse Regulation (UK MAR) CASS (where applicable) Sanctions Regulations FCA Financial Crime Guide JMLSG Guidance Experience Required Significant Compliance and Financial Crime leadership experience within an FCA and PRA regulated bank. Previous approval or eligibility for SMF16 and SMF17. Experience engaging directly with UK regulators. Strong knowledge of wholesale banking, corporate banking and capital markets regulatory requirements. Experience developing Compliance Monitoring Programmes. Demonstrable experience managing AML, sanctions and financial crime frameworks. Experience leading regulatory change initiatives. Previous management of regulatory inspections and audits. Excellent stakeholder management skills across Executive and Board level. Qualifications Degree educated or equivalent. ICA Advanced Certificate/Diploma (preferred). ACAMS Certification (preferred). Relevant legal, risk or compliance qualifications advantageous.