Head of Compliance and MLRO – DPO (SMF16 and SMF17) Job at Leigh upon Mendip Full Time NEW

Head of Compliance and MLRO / DPO (SMF16 and SMF17)
City of London
Permanent
£130,000 – £150,000
cer Financial are working alongside a bank, who are based in the City of London. They are seeking a Head of Compliance and MLRO / DPO (SMF16 and SMF17) to work with them on a permanent basis.

The responsibilities of the candidate will include

• Develop and maintain the Bank’s Compliance & Financial Crime Framework in line with FCA,PRA, and international standards (e.g. FATF)
• Ensure adherence to JMLSG guidance, sanctions regimes (OFAC, EU, HMT), and applicablelaws
• Act as primary liaison with regulators (FCA, PRA, NCA)
• Advise Senior Management on regulatory changes and business impact
• Lead horizon scanning and maintain the Compliance Risk Appetite Statement
• Ensure robust frameworks for TCF, conduct risk, and GDPR compliance
• Act as MLRO, ensuring full AML/CTF compliance
• Oversee AML frameworks (CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions/PEP screening,SARs)
• Ensure timely SAR submissions to the NCA
• Oversee AML risk assessments and remediation
• Deliver AML training and awareness
• Develop and maintain the Compliance Monitoring Plan (CMP)
• Conduct risk assessments on correspondent banking, high-risk clients, and transactions
• Oversee transaction monitoring systems and risk escalation
• Serve as Data Protection Officer (UK GDPR, DPA 2018)
• Act as main contact with the ICO
• Oversee DPIAs, RoPA, DSARs, and breach reporting
• Ensure governance over third-party data processors
• Deliver data protection training and awareness
• Present compliance, AML, financial crime, and data protection reports to committees and Board
• Escalate material risks and breaches
• Prepare Annual MLRO and Data Protection Reports
• Support SMCR requirements
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Compliance team
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance management
• Ensure adherence to internal policies, training, and operational resilience

The successful candidate

• Extensive UK banking experience in compliance, AML, and financial crime risk
• Strong knowledge of FCA/PRA rules, AML/CTF, GDPR, and SMCR
• Proven experience managing regulatory engagement, audits, and inspections
• Experience in Private Banking, Correspondent Banking, or Trade Finance
• AML certification (e.g. CAMS, ICA Diploma)
• Knowledge of operational resilience, ESG, and emerging regulations
• Data protection certification (e.g. CIPP/E, CIPM)