Part-Time Head of Risk & Compliance (3 Days/Week) — £30k (£50k FTE)
Future SMF16 Opportunity | FCA-Regulated | Tech-for-Good | Remote
About Aura Life
Aura is transforming one of life’s last remaining taboos - death. Since 2020, we’ve been building a breakthrough, high-touch, tech-enabled platform to help people plan for the end of life and support families through bereavement with compassion, clarity and care. We’re proud to be a tech-for-good business on a mission to modernise and humanise the death industry.
We began selling at-need cremation funerals and, since April 2023, have been FCA-authorised to sell pre-paid funeral plans. Backed by a well-established compliance framework, a seasoned leadership team, and funding raised to fuel our growth, we’ve already helped over tens of thousands of families plan ahead across the UK and we’re just getting started.
The Role
We’re hiring a part-time Head of Risk & Compliance to work closely with the COO and CEO to ensure we continue to meet, exceed, and evolve our compliance and risk responsibilities. You’ll play a key role in supporting Aura’s regulated funeral planning activities, with the potential to take on the SMF16 (Compliance Oversight) function in the near future.
This is a flexible, impactful role ideal for someone who thrives in a growing, fast-paced, purpose-led business.
Key Responsibilities
* Maintain and enhance Aura’s compliance and risk management framework
* Lead day-to-day compliance monitoring and quality assurance
* Identify and assess regulatory risks across the business
* Act as subject matter expert on FCA funeral plan rules (FPCOB), wider rules and Aura’s product governance
* Prepare reports and updates for the Board, consultants, and regulators
* Collaborate across departments to foster a compliance-first culture
* Help shape Aura’s long-term compliance roadmap as we scale
About You
We’re looking for a pragmatic, detail-oriented professional who can bring structure and foresight to a fast-moving environment. Ideal candidates will have:
* 3+ years’ compliance experience in a UK FCA-regulated environment (preferably funeral plans, insurance, or related sector)
* Strong working knowledge of FCA rules; awareness of the pre-paid funeral plan regime is a plus
* Clear, confident communication skills — written and verbal
* A “roll-up-your-sleeves” mindset with comfort navigating early-stage businesses
* Strong organisational skills and tech literacy (CRM and document systems)
* A collaborative attitude and genuine enthusiasm for mission-driven work
What We Offer
* £30,000 per annum for 3 days/week (£50,000 FTE)
* Share options in a high-growth startup with clear scale trajectory
* Flexible working: remote-first role with quarterly expenses paid company meet ups
* Supportive, family-led team and horizontal company culture
* Opportunities for career progression, including the SMF16 designation
* Ongoing training, mentorship, and development
* Unlimited annual leave allowance
* Private health insurance