Compliance Director – Financial Services

Manchester | £80,000–£120,000 DOE | Permanent

MERJE is exclusively partnering with a highly successful, entrepreneurial and technology-led financial services business to appoint a Compliance Director.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious, growing organisation where Compliance plays a key role in supporting commercial decisions, protecting customers and ensuring strong regulatory standards.

Importantly, the business is open-minded about the level of experience of the successful candidate, creating an opportunity for either an established Compliance leader or an ambitious individual looking to take the next step in their career.

The Role

Working closely with senior leadership, you will take responsibility for leading and developing the

Compliance function, ensuring the business maintains a robust regulatory framework while supporting its continued growth.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, managing and developing an established Compliance team.
• Providing commercially focused regulatory advice and guidance to senior stakeholders.
• Maintaining and enhancing the Compliance framework, monitoring programme and governance arrangements.
• Ensuring the business continues to meet FCA regulatory requirements, particularly across consumer credit and customer outcomes.
• Identifying and managing regulatory risks, providing appropriate challenge and practical solutions.
• Building strong relationships across the business and helping embed a positive Compliance culture.
• Supporting the organisation through its next phase of growth and development.

Who We’re Looking For

The business is considering two potential routes to appointment.

This could suit an established Compliance Director or Head of Compliance with a proven track record of leading a function, influencing senior stakeholders and operating with considerable autonomy.

Equally, it could appeal to an ambitious, high-calibre Compliance professional looking to take the next step, with strong technical knowledge, leadership potential and the confidence to develop into a senior strategic role.

For someone stepping up, there will be the opportunity to work alongside an experienced senior Risk & Compliance professional, benefiting from ongoing guidance and support while developing greater responsibility and influence.

Ultimately, the business is placing as much emphasis on personal qualities, commercial judgement and leadership potential as it is on previous job titles.

Experience & Personal Qualities

We are particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate:

• A strong background in Compliance within an FCA-regulated environment, ideally consumer credit, lending or a related financial services sector.
• Experience of managing or developing Compliance teams, or clear potential to take on broader leadership responsibilities.
• Strong technical regulatory knowledge combined with commercial awareness.
• The confidence and credibility to engage with, influence and appropriately challenge senior stakeholders.
• A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to regulatory challenges.
• Resilience, adaptability and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Location & Package

The role is based in Manchester (near the city centre), with a strong preference for office-based working to enable close collaboration with the leadership team. Some flexibility may be considered for exceptional candidates.

Salary: £80,000–£120,000 depending on experience, with the package reflecting the successful candidate’s background and the level of responsibility they will assume.

The Opportunity

This is a genuine opportunity to make an impact within a successful, forward-thinking business that values Compliance as a commercial partner rather than simply a control function.

Whether you are an established leader or an ambitious individual ready for the next step, this position offers the opportunity to shape and develop a Compliance function, work closely with senior decision-makers and play an important role in the future success of the organisation.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Paul Sherlock at MERJE.