Compliance jobs

​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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Compliance Teams

Compliance teams can vary depending on the firm and level of experience needed but can be comprised of 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, for example, an aml compliance job requires a different skillset from compliance attorney jobs, however, the core responsibilities will usually include, but are 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.  However 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 in the US?

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

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