Compliance Manager

We are looking for an experienced, organised, and knowledgeable Compliance Manager to join the Financial Planning Leadership Team of this highly regarded financial planning organisation. The key responsibility is to build and deliver oversight of the Financial Adviser teams. The role will report to the Managing Director and will work very closely with the Regional Directors, Training Manager and Director of Wealth Operations to be a key contributor. As part of the team, you will have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where you will be able to utilise your skills and expertise to help deliver amazing outcomes for clients, by placing first line risk, compliance and adviser oversight at the heart of the clients journey.

Key responsibilities:

• Scoping, building, and delivering a robust first line function and strategy.

• Supporting the Financial Planning Leadership Team with key decisions on distribution strategies, so that the financial advice that is provided is the best in class.

• You will advise the FP Leadership Team on changes to the Advice framework, provide consultation to the Leadership Team with horizon scanning and consumer duty compliance, with forward thinking compliance leadership.

• Providing oversight of training and competency ("T&C") for our existing and new advisers, including tracking their progress to Competent Adviser Status ("CAS").

• Gathering annual evidence of competency for advisers, as part of annual renewal of Certificates under The Senior Managers and Certification Regime ("SM&CR") and help drive higher standards and efficiency in the way that this process is undertaken.

• Oversight of adviser CPD and SPS logs and gathering quarterly Chartered information for the annual submission to the PFS.
• Closely supporting the production and development of suitability reports.

• Processing and analysing MI on various data points that include our approach to supporting vulnerable clients and our completion and evidencing of annual reviews.

• Reporting any breaches or conflicts of interest to the Chief Compliance Officer.

• Ensuring independent and fair assessment of behaviour which may constitute a conduct breach.

• Investigating any errors within the team where there is the potential for client harm, and writing to clients to ensure they are not affected financially.

• Close monitoring and support to the pods with regards to the capturing of anti-money laundering identification and verification as well as dealing with politically exposed people.

• Maintaining the Advice Guide in respect of Compliance requirements and legislation change, so as to give guidance to the Advisers, Paraplanners and Client Services teams.

• Working with the FP Training Manager to make sure that training is presented and logged in the correct way and is accessible.

• Assistance in the production of Consumer Duty MI for the Consumer Duty Champion.

About you:

• It is essential that you will have had previous experience of working within a first line environment, preferably having established the team or been part of a growing team within compliance or training and competency that sat within the distribution centres of a financial services company.

• Degree educated and you must have an excellent understanding of financial planning/investment management and the needs and demands of clients that receive financial planning services.

• A sound working knowledge of the FCA Handbook, particularly on Financial Crime Prevention and Training and Competency.

• You must thrive on working independently and have a good bedside manner with the advisor teams making sure that they understand that you are there to support them in their jobs and to help provide the best service for their clients and reduce risk of the business.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills with strong attention to detail. Outstanding communication skills, able to communicate with departments across the business, at all levels.

• The ability to take ownership and responsibility for tasks and projects, working autonomously and collaborating as needed with key stakeholders.

• Proficient computer skills, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, and Excel).

• A willingness and flexibility to travel to office sites as required. If you are able to drive and have your own transport, that would be highly advantageous.

• Qualifications in Financial Services, either as an adviser or in Compliance, Risk, or Supervision.

This is an excellent opportunity to develop your career in a more autonomous organisation and help shape the compliance function moving forwards. They also offer a flexible working environment.