MERJE are proud to be working exclusively with the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) on their hire for a Risk and Compliance Manager.

About the Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB)

The Enforcement Conduct Board (ECB) was launched in November 2022. Their mission is to ensure that all those who are subject to enforcement action in England and Wales are treated fairly.

They provide independent oversight of enforcement agents (formerly known as bailiffs) and the wider enforcement industry. The ECB operates independently of both the enforcement industry and Government and was created with the agreement of the industry and leading debt advice charities, including Money Advice Trust, Christians Against Poverty and StepChange.

They are funded by an industry levy and currently accredit over 60 enforcement firms and in-house local authority enforcement teams, accounting for over 95% of enforcement warrants, writs and court orders issued in England and Wales.

Why ECB’s Work Matters

Each year, over four million warrants, writs and court orders are issued for unpaid debts — a number that has increased in recent years. At the same time, financial vulnerability has grown significantly. FCA research indicates that around 7.4 million people were struggling to pay bills as of January 2024.

Against a backdrop of cost-of-living pressures and increasing demand on public services, it has never been more important that money owed is collected both effectively and ethically. The ECB exists to ensure fairness, accountability, and appropriate protection for people subject to enforcement action, while supporting creditors to operate to high standards.

ECB’s Principles and Functions

The ECB is guided by the principles of independence, ambition, proportionality, collaboration, and transparency. They deliver their mission through five core functions: 

• Raising standards – Setting and maintaining industry standards that underpin ethical and fair enforcement.
• Improving accountability – Supervising enforcement firms through audits, reviews, intelligence gathering, and a robust sanctions framework.
• Complaints handling – Operating an independent, accessible complaints service.
• Protecting the vulnerable and achieving fairness – Developing vulnerability and affordable repayment protocols based on best practice.
• Accreditation – Accrediting firms against clear criteria, including adherence to ECB standards and complaints processes.

The Role: Risk and Compliance Manager

This is an exciting opportunity to join the ECB in a newly created role, working closely with the Head of Risk and Compliance as their key partner.

The Risk and Compliance Manager will play a critical role in supporting the delivery and ongoing development of the ECB’s oversight regime. While the Head of Risk and Compliance has begun establishing key frameworks, this role will provide significant hands-on support to embed, operate, and continuously improve those frameworks, alongside carrying out audit, supervision, and oversight activity across accredited firms.

The role is fully remote, with flexibility to work independently. There will be a requirement for travel to enforcement firms across England and Wales, which may be more frequent during busier periods. The full ECB team also meets in person approximately once a month in London. The ability to meet face to face regularly helps with support and collaboration across a fully remote team.

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with the Head of Risk and Compliance, the Risk and Compliance Manager will:

• Support the ongoing development, refinement, and delivery of the ECB’s supervision and oversight framework.
• Conduct risk-based supervision activity, including audits, reviews, and assessments of enforcement firms’ compliance with ECB standards.
• Contribute to the assessment of firm-level risk by gathering, analysing, and interpreting intelligence from multiple sources, including audit findings, complaints data, firm submissions, and other regulatory insights.
• Support the implementation and embedding of ECB standards across the enforcement industry, including engagement with firms on self-assessment and continuous improvement.
• Draft clear, balanced, and high-quality written outputs, including audit reports, risk assessments, recommendations, and internal briefings.
• Engage professionally and constructively with enforcement firms, stakeholders, and partner organisations, representing the ECB’s independent role and values.
• Support the identification of emerging risks, themes, and areas for improvement across the industry, contributing to wider organisational learning and development.
• Work collaboratively within a small, growing organisation, contributing flexibly to priorities beyond the immediate scope of the role where required.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrable experience gained over several years in a compliance, risk, audit, or assurance role.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver high-quality outputs, while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Strong ability to interpret regulatory requirements, standards, and frameworks, and assess and report on adherence in a clear, fair, and proportionate manner.
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, with the confidence to operate in external-facing environments.
• High attention to detail and the ability to produce clear, well-structured, and high-quality written work.
• Sound judgement and the ability to maintain independence, objectivity, and professionalism.
• Confidence in assessing complex information and providing thoughtful, qualitative insight and analysis to support effective decision-making.
• Ability to represent the ECB professionally and constructively in meetings with firms and other stakeholders.

Other Experience

The following experience would be helpful but is not an essential requirement for the role:

• Working in a small organisation or within a small, close-knit team.
• Working within an oversight, regulatory, or supervisory body.
• Working in an enforcement-related, debt, or financial services environment.
• Supporting and contributing to risk assurance models and supervision frameworks.

 Ways of Working

• Location: Fully remote, with no fixed office base.
• Travel: Required across England and Wales to visit enforcement firms. Frequency will vary depending on operational demands, but may involve overnight stays.
• Team engagement: Monthly in-person full ECB team meetings, typically in London.

ECB’s Commitment to Inclusion

The ECB is committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation. They welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

If you are unsure whether you meet every requirement listed, we would still encourage you to apply. ECB value transferable skills, diverse perspectives, and the potential to grow and develop in the role.

Why Join the ECB?

• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a role with real social impact.
• The chance to help shape and embed a new oversight regime in a growing organisation.
• Flexible, remote working within a collaborative and values-driven team.
• Exposure to senior stakeholders across the enforcement and regulatory landscape.

Process and Timelines

• Application closing date – Please submit your CV and supporting statement by 5pm on Friday 30th January
• Fireside calls with client (optional) – Thursday 12th February
• Interviews – face to face interviews at MERJE’s Manchester office – Wednesday 18th February