About the Role

MERJE are delighted to be partnering with a leading firm within the Investment and Financial Planning sector as they seek an experienced and strategic Head of Compliance Advisory to support the Chief Risk Officer in delivering a high-quality, risk-based compliance advisory service across the organisation.

This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the business operates in line with all applicable regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry best practices. You will play a critical role in shaping how compliance is embedded across the organisation—supporting business growth while maintaining strong regulatory oversight.

The firm operate a flexible hybrid working policy with the week split across home and office working.  Office locations include Leeds and Manchester.

What You’ll Be Doing

As Head of Compliance Advisory, you will:

• Lead the delivery of a credible, responsive, and commercially aware Compliance Advisory service to the business
• Provide expert guidance on regulatory requirements, including:
• Conduct of Business
• Data Protection (including GDPR)
• Product development and business change initiatives
• Act as a key part of the second line of defence, identifying, assessing, and escalating control weaknesses
• Oversee the identification, investigation, and reporting of compliance breaches and incidents
• Interpret and communicate new and emerging regulations, ensuring timely and effective implementation across the business
• Produce high-quality reporting for Executive and Board Risk Committees, providing clear insight into regulatory risk exposure
• Lead and embed a strong compliance culture, including the design and delivery of training across the organisation
• Provide leadership, direction, and support to Compliance team members, enabling effective oversight and challenge
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership
• Represent Compliance in key forums, committees, and working groups
• Deputise for the Chief Risk Officer where required

What We’re Looking For

You will be a confident and credible compliance professional with the ability to influence at senior levels. You’ll bring:

• Proven experience in a compliance, risk, or audit role within an Investments, Financial Planning or Financial Advice environment (minimum 5 years)
• Strong working knowledge of regulatory frameworks and industry best practice, including Conduct Risk and Data Protection
• Experience delivering compliance advisory services within a complex organisation
• The ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into clear, practical business guidance
• Confidence to challenge constructively and manage conflict effectively
• Experience producing and presenting reports to senior and executive stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Applicants must be located and eligible to work in the UK without sponsorship. Please note, should feedback not be received within 28 days, unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful. In applying for this role, you may be registered on our database so we can contact you about suitable opportunities in future. Your data will be managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy, which can be found on our website. If you would like this job advertisement in an alternative format, please contact MERJE directly.