Senior HR Compliance & Governance Manager- 12MFTC
London (Hybrid – 1–2 days per week in office)
£120,000 – £140,000 per annum
A fast-growing, FCA-regulated financial services firm has retained Middlemore to appoint a Senior HR Compliance & Governance Manager on a 12-month fixed-term contract (with likelihood to extend or become permanent). The HR professional will design and implement a robust HR governance and compliance framework across the clients UK and US operations. This newly created role will establish clear policies, procedures, and controls to ensure regulatory compliance, operational consistency, and risk mitigation in a scaling, FCA-regulated business.
The successful candidate will bring deep experience in HR governance and risk management, ideally from an FCA-regulated environment and will be both strategic and hands-on, capable of shaping frameworks while personally delivering key outcomes. Responsibilities will include:
* Develop and standardise HR policies, procedures, and processes across the UK and US, ensuring clarity, consistency, and compliance.
* Design and implement HR risk and compliance frameworks, embedding appropriate controls and governance mechanisms across the function.
* Document and formalise critical HR processes (e.g. grievance procedures, screening, onboarding, and other regulatory touchpoints).
* Map organisational risks and controls, working closely with first and second lines of defence, Risk, and Audit teams.
* Oversee the firm’s background screening process in line with FCA regulatory standards.
* Support readiness for enhanced FCA regulatory status, identifying gaps and leading remediation efforts.
* Collaborate with HRBPs to clarify responsibilities, build toolkits, and ensure they can focus on strategic business partnering rather than operational compliance.
* Contribute to the evolution of the HR operating model, including the future allocation of roles and responsibilities as the organisation scales.
What else are we looking for?
* Proven experience in HR governance, risk, and control within an FCA-regulated or similarly regulated environment.
* Broad HR background with strong understanding of compliance frameworks and risk management principles.
* Demonstrated experience working closely with Risk, Audit, or Compliance teams.
* Strong UK HR expertise; US exposure is advantageous but not essential.
* Practical, hands-on approach — capable of both building frameworks and delivering operational outputs.
* Comfortable operating autonomously in a scaling, fast-paced organisation.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across senior teams.
* Ideally, experience transitioning from a generalist HRBP or HR Operations role into a risk/governance-focused position.
If you would like to apply or learn more then please shared an updated cv with Charlie.garside@middlemore.co.uk or apply following the link.