Job Title: Head of Legal and Compliance

📍 Location: West London

🕘 Job Type: Permanent | Full-Time | Fully Office-Based

📁 Department: Legal and Compliance

📊 Level: Senior Management Function (SMF16 & SMF17)

📌 Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

📈 Direct Reports:

• Deputy Managers
• Regulatory Compliance & Data Protection Officer
• Head of Financial Crime Operations (functional reporting)

About the Role

A high-profile opportunity has arisen for a Head of Legal and Compliance to join a dynamic financial institution in West London. This senior leadership role is critical to ensuring regulatory compliance and maintaining robust legal oversight across the organisation. As a SMF16 (Compliance Oversight Function) and SMF17 (Money Laundering Reporting Officer) role, this position demands a confident, experienced professional ready to lead the Legal and Compliance department and work closely with Executive and Board-level stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Compliance and Financial Crime

• Champion a strong compliance culture across the organisation.
• Create, review, and update compliance policies and procedures in line with regulatory expectations.
• Lead compliance training, horizon scanning, and regulatory mapping across departments.
• Oversee policies related to KYC, AML, Sanctions, ABC, Fraud, and Financial Crime risk.
• Develop and manage a risk-based Compliance Monitoring Plan (CMP).
• Ensure regulatory reporting of KRIs and KPIs to internal governance bodies.
• Liaise with regulators and manage the bank's relationship with the FCA/PRA.
• Oversight of frauds, legal/criminal actions, and internal escalation processes.
• Ensure all marketing and product materials comply with relevant regulations.
• Drive performance accountability and competency development within the Legal & Compliance function.

Legal Oversight

• Review legal agreements and contracts.
• Provide legal advice via internal and external counsel.
• Manage litigation and relationships with the bank's panel of solicitors.

Governance and Senior Manager Functions

• Maintain and update the Management Responsibilities Map.
• Oversee the organisation's compliance with all applicable UK regulations.
• Lead on policies and procedures countering financial crime risks.
• Ensure compliance with Conduct Rules including training and reporting obligations.

Committee Involvement

• Chair of the Legal & Compliance Committee
• Member of key Management Committees including MANCO and Risk
• Regular invitee to the Board, Board Risk Committee, and Board Audit Committee

Candidate Profile

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• A recognised diploma and/or degree is essential.
• Extensive experience in senior compliance/legal roles within the financial sector.
• Proven experience managing regulatory relationships (FCA, PRA).
• In-depth knowledge of UK financial regulatory frameworks and supervisory expectations.
• Experience overseeing Financial Crime, AML, KYC, Sanctions, and Fraud frameworks.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels.
• Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and decisive.
• Resilient with the energy and drive to succeed in a demanding environment.
• Effective under pressure with a strategic mindset and results-driven approach.

Why Join?

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to step into a senior leadership position, shape regulatory strategy, and make a lasting impact within a well-established institution. You'll work alongside experienced professionals at the executive and board level, providing you with high visibility and career progression potential.