Head of Compliance, MLRO

Capital.com

. Lead and continuously enhance the UK Compliance Framework, including policies, procedures, governance and controls .

Posted 9/24/2026full-timeLondon • United KingdomLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive expertise in leading Compliance functions within FCA-regulated environments, with a strong focus on regulatory frameworks, financial crime prevention, and effective stakeholder engagement. Proven ability to design and implement Compliance Frameworks, oversee risk assessments, and deliver impactful training and reporting.

Highest-signal resume keywords

FCA Regulatory Framework ExpertiseCompliance Framework DevelopmentFinancial Crime Programme ManagementLeadership and Team DevelopmentStakeholder Management Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Compliance Monitoring ProgrammeRegulatory ReportingRisk Assessment MethodologiesConsumer Duty KnowledgeFinancial Crime RegulationsTransaction ReportingMarket Conduct OversightCASS ComplianceAML/CTF Framework ManagementRegulatory Horizon Scanning

Soft Skills

Outstanding Written CommunicationPresentation SkillsStakeholder ManagementTeam LeadershipMotivational Skills

Tools & Technologies

Automated Onboarding ToolsDigital KYC Tools

Certifications & Qualifications

CAMSICAACAMS

Industry Keywords

FCASMCRFSMAUK MARMiFIREMIRMoney Laundering RegulationsPOCATerrorism ActUK Sanctions Regime

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and continuously enhance the UK Compliance Framework, including policies, procedures, governance and controls
Lead the Compliance team's handling of customer complaints and set the firm's complaints-handling policy
Serve on the UK Executive Committee and contribute to strategic decision-making
Prepare and present Compliance and Consumer Duty reports to the UK Board, Executive Committee and governance committees
Oversee accurate and timely regulatory returns
Act as the primary point of contact with the FCA and UK law enforcement
Conduct regulatory horizon scanning and translate changes into firm policy
Advise and challenge on new products, product governance, business initiatives, outsourcing, acquisitions, major projects and regulatory change
Provide second-line oversight of Consumer Duty and Operational Resilience frameworks
Develop and oversee the risk-based Compliance Monitoring Programme and remediation of findings
Design and deliver regulatory training
Maintain the breach register and report significant breaches to the FCA
Lead or oversee investigations into regulatory breaches, compliance incidents and financial crime matters
Maintain the Conflicts of Interest Register and identify new conflicts
Build and oversee controls to detect and prevent client market abuse, including STOR disclosures to the FCA
Own second-line oversight of daily EMIR and MiFIR reporting, including MDP monitoring
Consult with and inform the CASS Office on CASS breaches, incidents and related management information
Lead, develop and mentor the UK Compliance team
Collaborate with Group Compliance, Group Financial Crime, Group Assurance, Risk, Legal, Internal Audit and business stakeholders
As MLRO, hold FCA approval and fulfil prescribed financial-crime responsibilities under SMCR
Report financial-crime risk and present the annual MLRO Report to the UK Board and governance committees
Assess internal Suspicious Activity Reports, including DAML SARs, and decide when to escalate to the National Crime Agency
Oversee the UK AML, CTF and CPF Framework, including risk-assessment methodologies
Provide second-line oversight of customer due diligence, enhanced due diligence, onboarding, monitoring and high-risk client review processes
Own the UK sanctions compliance programme and ensure alignment with OFSI requirements
Design and oversee AML/CTF training
Oversee financial-crime monitoring and thematic reviews and ensure timely remediation

Requirements

What you’ll need

Current or recent approval as SMF16 and/or SMF17 (or directly equivalent Senior Manager Function experience) at an FCA-regulated firm
Significant experience leading a Compliance function within an FCA-regulated investment firm, ideally involving retail investment services, CFDs, spread betting, brokerage or another trading environment
In-depth knowledge of the UK regulatory framework, including FSMA, the FCA Handbook, SMCR, Consumer Duty, UK MAR, MiFIR, EMIR, the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, POCA, the Terrorism Act, the UK sanctions regime and relevant FCA guidance, including SYSC 6.1.1R and the Financial Crime Guide
Track record of managing SAR submissions to the NCA and running a firm's sanctions and financial crime programme
Demonstrable experience designing, implementing and enhancing Compliance Frameworks, overseeing Financial Crime Frameworks and Business Wide Risk Assessments, and preparing Board-level Compliance and MLRO reporting
Strong understanding of Consumer Duty, retail conduct, product governance, market conduct, transaction reporting, CASS and Operational Resilience requirements
Experience developing and overseeing risk-based Compliance Monitoring Programmes and driving effective remediation of regulatory issues
Proven experience building constructive relationships with the FCA and Boards, including leading supervisory engagement, regulatory reviews, notifications, submissions, applications and other material regulatory correspondence
Proven leadership and people management experience, including building, developing and motivating a high-performing Compliance team and supporting professional development and succession planning
Outstanding written, verbal, presentation and stakeholder management skills
Nice to have: Experience covering both Head of Compliance and MLRO functions in a single role
Nice to have: Background in CFDs, brokerage, fintech or payments
Nice to have: Experience with automated onboarding and digital KYC tools
Nice to have: CAMS, ICA, ACAMS or an equivalent compliance or financial crime professional qualification

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive salary
Annual leave
Employee referral program with rewards
Medical insurance
Pension plans
Location-specific benefits and perks
30 extra days to work remotely from anywhere in the world (some restrictions apply)
Two additional paid volunteer days each year