Senior Leadership Opportunities – Compliance & Operations
London (Hybrid) | Specialty Insurance | Confidential Search
Sanderson King is supporting a well-backed international insurance group with the continued growth of one of its fast-scaling UK specialty insurance subsidiaries. As part of this expansion, the business is making two foundational senior hires to help build and scale critical functions.
These are hands-on leadership roles, ideal for individuals who enjoy joining during build mode, taking ownership from day one, and shaping best-in-class frameworks and processes in a growing, entrepreneurial environment.
Head of Compliance
This is a senior, hands-on role responsible for leading compliance across the UK and EU. The successful candidate will play a key role in building and embedding a strong regulatory and governance framework as the business scales.
Key Responsibilities
* Ownership of FCA and EU regulatory compliance, including cross-border requirements
* Implementation and interpretation of Consumer Duty, SMCR, conduct rules and financial crime controls
* Development and enhancement of compliance policies, procedures and governance frameworks
* Advising senior stakeholders on regulatory matters, new products and distribution strategies
* Oversight of financial crime, AML/CTF, sanctions, PEPs and fraud controls
* Delivery of compliance training and promotion of a strong compliance culture
* Building and scaling a small compliance team over time
Key Experience & Background
* Significant experience in a compliance leadership role within insurance
* Strong preference for background in MGA, specialty insurer, Lloyd’s, broker or small carrier environments
* In-depth knowledge of FCA regulation, Consumer Duty, SMCR and UK financial crime frameworks
* Experience with EU regulatory requirements and cross-border operations
* Proven track record in building or enhancing compliance frameworks in growing businesses
* Comfortable operating in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment
* Strong stakeholder management skills with senior leadership and regulators
Head of Operations
This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimising global operational processes to support international growth and scalability.
Key Responsibilities
* Ownership of day-to-day operational processes and strategic operational initiatives
* Working closely with technology teams to optimise systems, workflows and data infrastructure
* Vendor management, outsourcing agreements and contract administration
* Driving operational efficiency, scalability and profitability
* Supporting underwriting, finance and commercial teams with operational delivery
* Building and leading a high-performing operations function as the business grows
Key Experience & Background
* Senior operations leadership experience within insurance or specialty financial services
* Strong preference for experience in MGA, specialty insurer, Lloyd’s, broker or small carrier environments
* Proven experience driving operational transformation and process improvement
* Track record of working closely with technology teams to improve systems and workflows
* Experience managing vendors, third-party providers and outsourcing arrangements
* Comfortable in a hands-on role with limited initial team support
* Experience scaling operations and building teams in a growth environment
Why Apply
* Join a fast-growing UK subsidiary of a well-backed international insurance group
* Be part of a build phase, with real influence over how key functions are designed and scaled
* Highly hands-on roles initially, with the opportunity to grow and structure teams
* London HQ with hybrid working (typically 3 days in office)
* Competitive and flexible salary packages (£80–120k+ depending on experience)
* Excellent exposure to senior leadership and international operations
These opportunities will particularly appeal to candidates who enjoy building from scratch, taking ownership, and playing a key role in scaling a specialty insurance platform.
To apply or have a confidential discussion, please contact:
Elliott Sanderson – Sanderson King
elliott@sandersonking.com