AIFM Head of Compliance

The Role

The successful candidate will serve as the Head of Compliance for Davidson Kempner’s Irish AIFM and ICAVs and may also serve as Head of AML/CFT Compliance depending on final role allocation. The role holder will be primarily responsible for establishing, maintaining, and overseeing the compliance framework for the AIFM and its ICAVs, ensuring adherence to AIFMD, Irish and EU regulatory requirements, and internal policies. The role will work closely with the board and senior management to set and maintain the compliance culture and expectations of the organization and will act as the primary point of engagement with the Central Bank of Ireland for day-to-day supervisory matters, thematic reviews, and inspections. The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise, sound judgement, and the experience necessary to satisfy the Fitness & Probity requirements of the Central Bank of Ireland. The role will be a member of the DK global compliance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the AIFM and ICAVs operate in accordance with the firm’s compliance framework, internal policies, applicable laws, and regulatory guidance, including AIFMD, the CBI’s rulebooks, and relevant EU directives and regulations including EMIR, MiFID, Annex IV reporting, and SFTR.


• Establish, maintain, and enhance the compliance framework, including compliance risk assessments, the annual compliance plan, and the compliance monitoring program.


• Monitor regulatory developments in Ireland and the EU, assess impact, and update internal policies, procedures, and training accordingly.


• Oversee all compliance policies and procedures, ensuring they remain up to date, robust, and aligned to regulatory expectations and industry best practice.


• Serve as the primary liaison to the Central Bank of Ireland, managing regulatory correspondence, inspections, thematic reviews, fitness & probity processes, and other supervisory engagements.


• Provide quarterly reporting to the AIFM Board, summarizing compliance risk, monitoring results, breaches or incidents, regulatory developments, remediation progress, and emerging issues.


• Review, investigate, and oversee internal compliance events, including breaches, complaints, conflicts of interest, and control weaknesses; ensure timely escalation and appropriate remediation.


• Oversee the AIFM’s AML/CFT and financial crime compliance framework, working as or closely with the MLRO and relevant delegates.


• Provide proactive compliance advice to senior management and Investment Managers on regulatory matters relating to new fund launches, product changes, marketing, investor disclosures, and operational activities.


• Support fund onboarding and product development processes, ensuring all compliance obligations are identified, documented, and addressed from pre-launch through to ongoing operations.


• Deliver compliance training, contribute to the firm’s culture of accountability and integrity, and promote strong conduct and governance standards.


• Collaborate with global Compliance, Legal, Risk, and Operations teams on cross-functional initiatives, regulatory change projects, and ad-hoc tasks requiring compliance input.

Candidate Profile and Requirements

The successful candidate will have approximately 8+ years of financial services experience, including:

• Demonstrable experience in compliance management within the asset management or funds industry.


• Sufficient expertise and qualifications to meet the Fitness & Probity requirements.


• Strong knowledge of relevant regulatory frameworks, including AIFMD , the CBI’s rulebooks, and ESMA guidance.


• Exceptional written communication skills and the ability to articulate complex regulatory matters to Boards, senior management, and regulators.


• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify emerging risks, and evaluate control environments with a critical mindset.


• High attention to detail; organized, resourceful, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.


• Self-motivated and intellectually curious, with a strong work ethic and a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth.


• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to influence and build strong relationships across teams and with external stakeholders.


• Bachelor’s degree required; relevant fields include law, business, finance, or related disciplines. Professional compliance qualifications (e.g., ACOI, ICA) are preferred.