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)