Hybrid – 2 days office p/w

c.£90,000 + Benefits

MERJE are proud to be supporting a well-respected financial services business with a great culture and long history.

Role overview

As the strategic leader of the Compliance Advisory function, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation’s regulatory posture and embedding a culture of proactive compliance across all levels. Operating at the intersection of regulation, risk, and strategic ambition, you will ensure regulatory interpretation is accurate and aligned with the business’s long-term goals and customer-focused values.

You will set the strategic direction for compliance advice, influence executive decision-making, and enable the organisation to navigate complex regulatory landscapes with confidence and agility. Through thought leadership, horizon scanning, and senior stakeholder engagement, you will drive forward a compliance agenda that supports innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing Compliance Advisory team, fostering a culture of integrity, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
• Support the Director of Compliance, Financial Crime & DPO in shaping a positive compliance and conduct culture across the business.
• Represent the function at executive forums and steering groups, acting as deputy when required.
• Influence senior leaders with commercially aware, risk-based advice that embeds regulatory thinking into business processes.
• Oversee regulatory input into new propositions, operational activities, and incident management to ensure a controlled, customer-centric approach.
• Optimise resource allocation and prioritisation to align advisory activity with strategic goals and emerging risks.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders as a credible voice on regulatory matters.
• Translate regulatory developments into actionable insights, keeping the organisation agile and well-prepared.
• Drive regulatory change initiatives and contribute to cross-functional compliance programmes.

About you

Knowledge and skills

• Expert knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks, with the ability to provide strategic guidance.
• Proven capability to deliver clear, risk-aware advice across enterprise-wide processes.
• Strong influencing skills at senior levels, including executive and board engagement.
• Ability to anticipate regulatory change and translate developments into strategic implications.
• Exceptional communication skills, distilling complex regulatory requirements for varied audiences.
• Analytical and solution-focused mindset, balancing compliance with commercial ambition.

Experience

• Extensive experience leading compliance advisory functions within financial services.
• Demonstrated leadership in building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of accountability and curiosity.
• Proven ability to operate across complex stakeholder landscapes, driving alignment and collaboration.
• Deep understanding of FCA regulatory frameworks; PRA familiarity advantageous.
• Strong strategic acumen, anticipating regulatory change and positioning the organisation for long-term success.

Behaviours

• Engage confidently at executive and board levels, translating regulatory concepts into strategic insights.
• Apply sound judgement balancing regulatory expectations with business objectives.
• Build trusted relationships across functions, embedding compliance into strategic and operational activities.
• Anticipate regulatory shifts and emerging risks, providing proactive advice to future-proof compliance posture.
• Operate with autonomy and authority, leading by example and fostering continuous improvement.