Compliance jobs in Europe

​The financial services industry has seen many changes over the years with traditional firms being constantly challenged by the evolution of new trends and technologies.

The emergence of digital assets, fintechs and start ups has varied the scope of the once traditional compliance role, making it an increasingly interesting and competitive space to work in.

Every year, new regulations and rules are introduced, meaning compliance professionals must always be on top of the ever-changing sector to properly assess how any regulatory update can affect a business and its activities.

The person leading a compliance regulatory function will have to manage and support c-suite staff, internalise conflicts and exercise supreme judgement in balancing the need to allow its business to flourish in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, whilst avoiding the potentially devastating consequences of non-compliance.

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Comliance Teams

Compliance teams can vary depending on the firm, and level of experience needed but can be comprised with the following:

• Chief Operating Officer

• Head of Legal and Compliance

• ​General Counsel

• Head of Compliance

• Chief Compliance Officer

• Legal Counsel

• Compliance Manager

• Compliance Officer

• Compliance Analyst

• Advisory Compliance

• Compliance Policy

• Monitoring, Testing & Surveillance

• Policy/Regulatory Affairs

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Main Key Duties

The key duties within a compliance role might change from one type of firm to another, however its core responsibilities will usually include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Fostering an ethical culture at the firm

• Avoiding fines and other penalties from the regulating body (FCA in the UK, SEC in the US)

• Creating, monitoring and reporting on internal policies and processes: IT, Strategy, OH&S (Occupational, Health & Safety), KYC (Know Your Customer), PEP (Politically Exposed Person) and Sanctions

• Legal research and anticipating future changes

• Leveraging future changes in regulation

• Reviewing marketing material and disclaimers

• Training sessions to staff

• Answering “can we do X?” questions from the C-Suite and front office

• Conducting internal audits

• Assisting with disciplinary proceedings

• Reporting to the regulator

• Making sure that advice considers business objectives

• Prepare and file regulatory reports with the FCA

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Main Skills

As the regulatory function continues to grow the compliance needs in firms have become more robust, meaning compliance professionals may require a niche set of skills.

• To flourish within a compliance role these skills are required:

• Broader Business Acumen (Product & Technology knowledge)

• Interpersonal skills and communication

• Problem solving

• Attention to detail

• Niche candidates and subject matter experts

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Need Help Finding a Compliance Role?

Contact our specialists regulatory compliance recruitersor see Rutherford's regulatorycompliance jobs.

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​Europe

Mainland Europe is a large peninsula comprised of 44 sovereign states, such as Denmark, Switzerland, Poland and Greece to name a few. For centuries, Europe has had a rich agricultural and industrial diversity, resulting in the continent becoming the centre of trade and commerce.

Europe is home to some of the most famous cities in the world: London, Madrid, Rome, Vienna, Stockholm. Each city projects its own culture and vibrancy – offering tons in tourist activities and travel opportunities.

Getting around

Traveling and getting around Europe is easy for anyone, thanks to its extensive and efficient public transport system, which allows you to go anywhere within the continent. Europe is the second smallest continent on the globe, making journey times between countries, cities, and towns reasonable: for example, getting from Milan to Berlin is a 1hr 15min journey if you decide to take a flight.

In major cities like Paris or Amsterdam, you will also find an extensive public transport system, which includes the bus, tube, train, boats, and other alternatives. Getting from one point to another is extremely easy, especially if you have a traveling application like Citymapper or Google Maps on your phone to help you find the fastest - or cheapest! - journey.