Head of Compliance

We're looking for a Head of Compliance, who can help us on our mission to make financial coaching and advice accessible to everybody.

You will play a crucial role in ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving a culture of integrity. You will be part of a fast-paced, tech-led and innovative environment. If you are passionate about compliance, thrive in a collaborative setting, and have a genuine desire to help people improve their lives, we would love to hear from you.

About Octopus Money

At Octopus Money, we're on a mission to make money advice accessible to all - because the right advice can turn your life dreams into reality.

The facts are alarming: half of Brits reach retirement age without enough money to live the life they want, financial stress is a leading cause of poor mental health and only 8% of us have access to 1-to-1 advice.

There's plenty of information out there, but most of us just wish that someone we trust would tell us what to do with our money!

With Octopus, you get a personalised plan and a friendly expert to help you make it happen. We combine advisers, coaches and technology to understand your situation and recommend the right steps for your savings, investments, pensions and more. Then, we make it easy to invest in a custom portfolio, managed by experts.

We believe everyone deserves personal, 1-to-1 advice with their money.

The role and opportunity The Head of Compliance (SMF16) will play a critical role in ensuring that Octopus Money operates within the framework of all applicable regulations and standards. This is a senior role and will involve designing, implementing, and managing a robust compliance framework that supports our strategic objectives while mitigating regulatory risks. The successful candidate will act as the primary contact with regulatory bodies and oversee all aspects of compliance, including monitoring, reporting, and advisory functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for the firm's compliance with the regulatory framework, fulfilling the SMF16 function under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR)
• Develop, implement, and maintain the firm's compliance policies, procedures, and systems to ensure alignment with relevant laws and regulations (e.g., FCA Handbook)
• Provide expert advice and guidance to the Board, senior management, and business units on compliance matters
• Monitor regulatory developments and assess their impact on the organisation, ensuring timely updates to policies and practices
• Foster a culture of compliance awareness and accountability across the organisation
• Conduct regular compliance monitoring reviews, identify gaps, and implement remedial actions
• Act as the primary liaison with regulatory bodies, including preparing and submitting reports, handling inspections, and responding to inquiries
• Oversee regulatory training programs for employees to enhance understanding of compliance obligations
• Collaborate with internal audit, risk management, and other control functions to ensure a coordinated approach to governance
• Prepare and present compliance reports to the Board and relevant committees
• Work with the wider Octopus Group Risk and Compliance functions

Key Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in a senior compliance role within the financial services sector, ideally with exposure to Financial Advice - specifically Investments and Pensions
• Extensive knowledge of UK regulatory requirements, including the FCA frameworks.
• Strong understanding of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR)
• Exceptional leadership and management skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Analytical mindset with a proactive approach to problem-solving and risk mitigation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Relevant professional qualifications (e.g., ICA, CISI, or legal qualifications) are highly desirable
• Proven experience working with MIFIDPRU firms, including expertise in discretionary fund management and the completion of ICARA assessments
• Ideally be qualified to a minimum CII Level 4 (or equivalent Pension and Investment Advice qualification) with previous experience in Training & Competency supervision

Kindly note that the Head of Compliance is subject to the SMF16 requirement so will need formal sign off from the FCA.

In return for your contribution we offer a base salary of £75,000 - £85,000 DOE + benefits