Job Description
Location: Cheltenham (Hybrid working - 1 day/week in the office)
Salary: £110 - 120k
An ambitious and growing UK financial services firm is seeking an experienced Head of Legal, Compliance & MLRO to lead and develop its legal and regulatory function at a senior level.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, this is a high-impact role with responsibility for legal oversight, regulatory compliance and financial crime prevention across the business. The successful candidate will play a critical role in supporting the Board, senior leadership and key committees.
The business is a well-established, FCA-authorised specialist finance provider, supporting UK SMEs through tailored lending solutions funded by a growing investor community. Known for its strong governance, customer-first approach and deep expertise in secured lending, the firm combines a collaborative, values-led culture with the pace and ambition of a scale-up environment.
The Role
This position combines strategic oversight with hands-on delivery, ensuring the firm operates to the highest legal and regulatory standards while supporting commercial growth and strong customer outcomes.
Legal Responsibilities
* Lead the firm’s legal function, overseeing commercial contracts and maintaining a central contracts database
* Review and maintain investor terms and conditions, borrower loan documentation, security documents and offer letters
* Provide clear, pragmatic legal advice to the Board, senior management and internal committees
* Support loan completions, redemptions and the ongoing legal management of the loan book
* Manage relationships with external legal counsel and professional advisors
* Support onboarding and ongoing oversight of third parties, including law firms, valuers and brokers
* Contribute legal insight to improve internal credit, lending and operational processes
* Support new product development and changes to commercial activities
* Provide legal support to HR matters as required
* Ensure compliance with FCA requirements, wider financial services legislation and GDPR obligations
Compliance & MLRO Responsibilities
* Act as the firm’s primary point of contact for compliance and financial crime prevention
* Develop, implement and maintain a robust compliance framework aligned with UK regulatory requirements and best practice
* Conduct risk assessments, monitor transactions and submit SARs to the NCA where required
* Ensure all regulatory risks, issues and breaches are appropriately investigated, documented and mitigated
* Deliver AML and regulatory training across the business
* Foster a strong culture of compliance aligned with Consumer Duty and positive customer outcomes
* Prepare and present the annual MLRO and Consumer Duty reports to the Board
* Manage relationships with the FCA and external compliance advisors
* Oversee regulatory reporting, FCA returns and notifications within required timelines
* Support the annual CASS audit in collaboration with Finance
* Provide compliance advice to the Credit Committee, Senior Management Team and other governance forums
* Lead ongoing compliance monitoring and ensure records are maintained in line with regulatory and legal requirements
About You
* A senior legal and compliance professional with strong UK financial services experience
* Proven experience operating as an MLRO and holding or being eligible for SMF16 & SMF17
* Confident advising Boards and senior stakeholders in a regulated environment
* Commercially minded, pragmatic and comfortable operating in a fast-growing business
* Strong communicator with the credibility to influence across the organisation