Senior Compliance Associate

Human Capital Partners are partnering with a high growth Fintech business to recruit their Senior Compliance Associate.

Our clients risk department is organised around five principal risks (Regulatory Risk, Operational Risk, Financial Crime, Data Protection, and Legal) and is led by the Chief Risk Officer (SMF16/17).

The focus of this role is to oversee the embedding and ongoing development of the risk management framework and supporting processes within the first line of defence, with a particular focus on regulatory risk and assurance and providing an appropriate balance of support, guidance, and challenge to achieve regulatory compliance and good customer outcomes. You will also be required to support the Head of Compliance & Operational Risk on matters of regulatory importance, complexity, and sensitivity.

Key responsibilities:

• To provide challenge, advice, and guidance to the first line in relation to new and existing products and services, ensuring compliance with the necessary regulatory requirements.
• To provide oversight and assurance to key first line activities that impact customer outcomes and compliance with the relevant regulation.
• To escalate issues to senior management in a timely manner to reduce risk and losses as much as possible.
• To act as an advocate for compliance with all legal, regulatory and company standards and promote a positive risk culture within the first line of defence where transparency, action and rigor are evident - particularly in relation to customer outcomes.
• To frequently liaise with first line business areas to ensure that you understand key processes and how controls support the achievement of compliance, identifying gaps and weaknesses that need to be addressed - particularly in relation to Arrears Management, Vulnerable Customer Management, Complaints Handling, Direct, and Specialist Financing.
• To maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the key regulatory requirements (e.g., "CONC", "SMCR", and the "CCA") and apply these to advice, guidance, and assurance activitiesas well as write regulatory business updates with key recommendations around implementation.
• To provide regulatory guidance around key business activities, including EXCO objectives and key projects.
• Monitor the regulatory horizon to maintain an up-to-date view of regulatory developments that could impact the company and support in the communication of Regulatory updates to the business.
• Support the Head of Compliance & Operational Risk in the communication of regulatory developments and regulatory risk reporting to a wide range of stakeholders (internally and externally).
• Provide oversight around the requirements set out in the firm’s policies and procedures.
• Assist the Head of Compliance & Operational Risk with the identification, resolution, and reporting of risk events and breaches.
• Lead in the preparation of regulatory updates and reports.
• Lead the Customer Outcomes testing and the regulatory elements of second line assurance activities.

Person specification:

• A minimum 2-4 years’regulatory risk experience in an FCA regulated environment - consumer credit preferable.
• Focused on customer outcomes and sound understanding of the Consumer Duty.
• Proven ability to write detailed policies and procedures, regulatory updates for publishing across the business, and breach reports.
• Good team player, flexible and able to work on own initiative, whilst recognising where support is required.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to establish effective working relationships at all levels.
• Appreciates the importance of accuracy, attention to detail and professionalism.
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency and good work ethic.
• Ability to work with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Resilient, not derailed by a setback and returns to a high level of performance quickly.
• Excellent internal customer service skills.
• Comfortable and competent with MS Office.
• Comfortable identifying and raising issues, even with senior colleagues, particularly where driving good outcomes for customers are concerned.