Head of Risk & Compliance, Santander
DEVA Capital
+ Eligible for a competitive discretionary performance-related annual bonus
More information about location
4+ days a week in office
Retail and commercial bank
Be an early applicant
Retail and commercial bank
1001+ employees
Be an early applicant
+ Eligible for a competitive discretionary performance-related annual bonus
More information about location
4+ days a week in office
1001+ employees
Company mission
To help people and businesses prosper.
Role
Who you are
- Significant experience in a senior risk and/or compliance role within UK asset management, preferably within private markets or alternatives (Required)
- Good knowledge of alternative asset management business models, in particular Real Estate and/or Infrastructure Credit, including investment structures, funds, valuation, conflicts and investor considerations (Required)
- Strong understanding of the UK regulatory environment relevant to asset managers, including FCA expectations, governance, financial crime, conduct and compliance frameworks (Required)
- Experience building or enhancing proportionate second line frameworks in a growing business, including risk assessment, compliance monitoring, governance reporting and issue management (Required)
- Strong understanding of financial crime controls relevant to an asset management business, including AML / CTF, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, and suspicious activity escalation (Required)
- Experience of operating within, or alongside, a global group model with matrix reporting lines and Group policy frameworks (Preferred)
- Experience supporting regulatory authorisation, governance change or business transformation would be advantageous (Preferred)
- Prior approved person / SMF experience, particularly SMF16 and/or SMF17, would be advantageous (Preferred)
- Degree or equivalent professional experience (Required)
- Relevant professional qualification in compliance, risk, legal, audit, financial crime or a related discipline is desirable (Preferred)
- AML / compliance / risk management qualifications desirable but not essential (Preferred)
- Strong judgement, integrity and ability to balance commercial objectives with regulatory and risk management requirements
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including policy drafting, Board reporting and presentation of complex issues in a clear and practical manner
What the job involves
- We have an exciting new opportunity for a Head of Risk and Compliance to join us in our London Office
- The Head of Risk and Compliance will lead the UK risk and compliance framework, providing independent second-line oversight and advice to support the firm’s strategy, growth and regulatory obligations
- The role supports a UK-based alternative asset management business, ensuring effective oversight of regulatory, compliance and risk matters while maintaining alignment with Group frameworks
- Reporting to the UK CEO, with oversight from the Board and Global Risk and Compliance leadership, the role will also be responsible for developing a proportionate framework and supporting regulatory change, new business initiatives and strategic developments
- Lead the development and ongoing management of the UK entity’s risk and compliance framework, ensuring effective governance, oversight and adherence to regulatory requirements
- Support strategic business initiatives, regulatory change, fundraising activities and operational due diligence from a risk and compliance perspective
- Lead financial crime compliance (AML/CTF, sanctions, ABC), with future responsibility for SMF17/MLRO
- Act as the senior second-line risk and compliance lead, providing independent challenge and commercially pragmatic advice to the CEO, COO, Board and senior stakeholders
- Oversee regulatory compliance, financial crime, conduct risk and governance arrangements, ensuring alignment with UK regulations, Group standards and investor expectations
- Build and maintain a robust control environment, including risk assessments, compliance monitoring, reporting and escalation processes
- Support the business in the launch and management of alternative investment strategies, including Real Estate and Infrastructure Credit, through effective risk and compliance oversight
- Lead engagement with Group functions, external advisers and regulatory stakeholders, while supporting the firm's transition towards direct FCA authorisation
- Promote a strong risk and compliance culture across the organisation through training, awareness and effective governance practices
Salary benchmarks
Our take
Santander serves 14 million UK customers as a retail and commercial bank. Despite a mixed history, including issues with call centre service, mis-selling PPI, and anti-money laundering control failures between 2012 and 2017, Santander continues to thrive by focusing on innovation, digitalisation, and sustainable, responsible growth.
Recently, Santander has enhanced its digital and mobile services to meet the needs of modern banking customers. This includes the My Home Manager app, which provides mortgage customers with a centralised platform for their information, and increased fraud alerts to protect less digitally literate customers as they transition online. These efforts aim to connect physical and digital channels for a seamless customer experience, positioning Santander to better compete against digital banks like Monzo and Starling.
In addition to these digital advancements, Santander has joined forces with Iberpay in Spain to become inaugural participants in the European Payments Council’s One-Leg Out Cross-border Transactions Instant Scheme (OCT Inst). This initiative is set to introduce global instant transfers, further emphasising Santander's commitment to innovation and enhancing its service offerings in the digital banking landscape.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
2% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Company HQ
London, UK
Leadership
Mike Regnier
(CEO)Former CEO of the Yorkshire Building Society, where they also previously worked as Chief Customer Officer and Chief Commercial Officer.
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