Deputy Head Central Compliance

Job Title: Deputy Head of Central Compliance & SMCR Strategy

Location: London

Department: Compliance – Central Compliance

Reports to: Head of Central Compliance

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and strategic compliance leader to oversee and evolve the Central Compliance function, with a particular focus on SMCR governance, policy management, regulatory engagement, and oversight of key compliance frameworks. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring deep regulatory expertise, strong stakeholder engagement, and the ability to manage a wide remit across a multi-entity, FCA-regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the firm’s SMCR strategy, including managing policies, Statements of Responsibilities and leading SMF engagement through the full lifecycle (onboarding to offboarding).
• Chair the firm’s quarterly SMCR Forum and act as the central point of coordination for individual accountability frameworks across regulated entities.
• Oversee core Central Compliance activities including compliance policy development, training, regulatory registrations, complaints handling, conflicts and PA dealing, regulatory filings, and exchange returns.
• Serve as the lead contact for regulatory audits, internal audit, and regulatory interactions, ensuring all required documentation and evidence are prepared and presented to a high standard.
• Oversee maintenance of compliance registers, breaches, and escalations, while delivering high-quality MI and reporting to senior leadership, including ExCo and Board updates.
• Support regulatory change, conduct horizon scanning, and advise on emerging risks or regulatory themes impacting central compliance, SMCR, and conduct frameworks.
• Drive the ongoing enhancement of compliance operations, identifying improvement opportunities and implementing process efficiencies across the team and governance model.
• Provide leadership to direct reports and guide offshore resources as necessary to ensure smooth delivery of central compliance objectives.

Skills & Experience Required:

• 10 years’ experience in compliance within financial services, with specific depth in SMCR, MAR, MiFID II, and conduct risk.
• Proven track record in delivering regulatory change initiatives and leading compliance frameworks end-to-end.
• Strong policy writing, advisory, training, and regulatory engagement skills.
• Experienced in managing multiple stakeholders across Compliance, Legal, Risk, HR, Front Office, and IT.
• Adept at producing senior stakeholder communications including Board-level reports and thematic insights.

Desirable:

• Background in either brokerage/trading firms and large financial institutions (investment/corporate banking, asset management).
• Professional compliance certifications (e.g. ICA, CISI).

Competencies:

• Collaborative, detail-oriented, and proactive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Comfortable navigating complex stakeholder landscapes and regulatory expectations.
• Demonstrates leadership, initiative, and commitment to continuous improvement.