Head of Risk and Compliance

StepChange Debt Charity is seeking an experienced Head of Risk and Compliance to join our team based in Leeds. The successful applicant will receive a salary of Circa £80,000 plus great benefits.

Over the last two decades, our service has experienced rapid growth. Following the FCA taking over responsibility for regulating the debt advice sector, we’ve taken the opportunity to review and strengthen our existing compliance function. As Head of Risk and Compliance you and your team will be responsible for ensuring that the charity is fully compliant with UK laws and regulations and for promoting a culture of compliance throughout the charity. You’ll assist Executive and Senior management to manage compliance risks by driving awareness and accountability throughout the organisation. You’ll ensure the charity has strong corporate governance procedures in place and is compliant with all company law requirements. You’ll also be key in driving the cultural change towards an embedded risk & compliance culture

Responsibilities of a Head of Risk and Compliance include:

- Providing advice and guidance to the charity on relevant regulatory issues.

- Ensuring that a robust and effective risk management framework is in place.

- Developing and maintaining policies and procedures and monitoring their effectiveness.

- You’ll be responsible for proactively managing relationships with regulators and for leading, motivating and developing a team of direct reports.

To become our Head of Risk and Compliance you will have the following skills and knowledge:

- Have a solid understanding of financial laws and regulations; ideally with a compliance qualification e.g. ICA Diploma in Compliance with a strong understanding on TCF and conduct risk.

- Experience at a senior management level within a compliance department in an FCA regulated environment is required.

- Have experience in developing and implementing compliance policies, programmes and procedures.

- As you’ll be building and maintaining internal and external relationships strong interpersonal skills are required.

- The ability to communicate concisely and clearly to tailor communications on complex issues and to provide business sensitive solutions is essential.

- Have the ability to identify and analyse issues and think critically to resolve problems.

In line with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulations you’ll be required to be an Approved Person for a controlled function (CF10) and will therefore need to pass the Fit and Proper test for Approved Persons prior to appointment. The main assessment criteria are:

- Honesty, integrity and reputation

- Competence and capability

- Financial soundness

If you have the skills and experience to become our Head of Risk and Compliance please click ‘apply’ today.

StepChange Debt Charity is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we place great importance and value in the training and development of all our colleagues