Head of Regulatory Compliance

About us

Over the last 18 years, we have helped over a million satisfied customers move and manage their money. Our award-winning product portfolio allows our customers to make low-cost multi-currency payments across various payment products. From travel money to transfers, currency hedging, to expense management, we are focused on a single goal of making it easy for our customers to manage and move their money.

As a business, we are committed to delivering value to our customers through the combination of advanced payments technology and personal expert service. We’re doing this by hiring exceptional people and are now looking for a Head of Regulatory Compliance to join our team.

Within our offices in London, Chester, Los Angeles and Europe, Equals comprises of three business lines and brands - Equals Money, FairFX and CardOneMoney. You will join a very close-knit, talented and supportive team from various backgrounds who believe that bringing different perspectives together helps us understand our customers' needs. United, by one thing, making money management straightforward and cost-effective for our customers.

About the Role

Group Head of Regulatory Compliance will play a critical leadership role in ensuring that Equals Group, via its regulated entities, operates in full adherence to all legal and regulatory requirements across all jurisdictions in which it does business, including the UK, EU and USA, and in the markets where future expansion is planned. This senior position is central to building and maintaining a robust, risk-aware, and forward-looking Regulatory Compliance framework and infrastructure that support Equals Group’s international operations and growth.

In this role you will report into the Group Chief Compliance and Risk Officer (CCRO) of Equals Group and will be responsible for the management and oversight of the Group’s Regulatory Compliance function for the strategic development, implementation, and ongoing evolution of a multi-jurisdictional compliance framework. Operating within the 2nd line of defence and as part of the Global Risk and Compliance (GRC) function, you will work closely with various stakeholders to embed a strong regulatory compliance culture across the Equals Group businesses in various jurisdictions, and acting as a key contact for all regulatory authorities and internal stakeholders alike.

You will need to have significant experience and expertise in the financial services industry, particularly in the payment/e-money services sector, and a deep knowledge and understanding of applicable laws and regulations to navigating complex and evolving regulatory landscapes across multiple regions. Working with the Group CCRO, you will help to develop and implement a comprehensive Regulatory Compliance strategy that aligns with the Equals Group’s overall business objectives and applicable legal-regulatory requirements. You will use opportunities for strengthening processes and controls in the Regulatory Compliance function, and strive to implement and build systems and processes that support a strong compliance culture within the organisation.

You will be responsible for ensuring the Regulatory Compliance roadmap and strategy are well-designed and efficiently delivered to a high standard and within relevant timelines with the assistance of the Regulatory Compliance team.

You should be able to influence stakeholders at all levels to promote the compliance agenda and can motivate and inspire the Regulatory Compliance team members to perform to a highest standards. Regulatory changes will be a key focus area for this role, and as such, you will follow new developments and trends in the regulatory landscape impacting payments firms and advising other areas of the business and key stakeholders on the changes.

Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the Group Head of Regulatory Compliance include, but not limited to:

• Ensure the Equals Group is operating in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

• Develop, implement and maintain Equals Group’s regulatory risk appetite in conjunction with the Group CCRO.

• Lead a team of highly skilled Regulatory Compliance subject matter experts across different jurisdictions (primarily (UK, EU, USA) and support the ongoing development of the overall Compliance function.

• Act as a key advisor to business stakeholders, providing timely and practical guidance on jurisdiction-specific regulatory requirements and developments.

• Execute the delivery of the Regulatory Compliance strategy and roadmap to ensure adherence to legal and regulatory requirements across the UK, EU, USA and other jurisdictions.

• Support the CCRO and MLRO(s) in the delivery of their prescribed responsibilities, and deputise the CCRO as assigned.

• Identify jurisdictional regulatory risks and challenges, and recommend solutions.

• Review and prepare responses to regulatory authority requests and notices in conjunction with the Group CCRO.

• Provide independent 2nd line ‘review and challenge’ to Equals Group’s business functions, adopting the ‘advise, educate and monitor’ approach.

• Provide high quality Regulatory and general Compliance advice and guidance to all stakeholders in the business.

• Establish and develop regulatory engagement in relevant markets where Equals Group has or is seeking to establish a presence.

• Work closely and collaboratively with the colleagues in the GRC function and all business stakeholders at all levels.

• Manage Equals Group’s initial responses to regulatory change matters, consultation papers, and advise on the changes to internal polices and processes where relevant.

• Develop Regulatory Compliance training materials and policy governance framework for the GRC function.

• Keep up to date with new and upcoming legal and regulatory changes, and prepare implementation plan as needed.

• Identify and mitigate the risks of non-compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and implement adequate tools and controls to reduce Equals Group’s exposure to any regulatory risks.

• Oversee the identification and resolution of regulatory incidents as well as report relevant incidents to regulatory authorities as applicable.

• Attend and provide reports to relevant Risk Committees as required, by ensuring the highest reporting standards are maintained.

• Promote the adoption of a culture that prioritises good customer and regulatory outcomes across the organisation.

• Manage and develop relationships with external stakeholders, such as auditors, industry bodies and advisors.

• Embody Equals Group values of:

  • Be the customer

  • Succeed together

  • Go beyond

  • Make it happen

Essential Skills

• Minimum 10 years professional work experience in Compliance, Risk and/or Legal function with at least 5 years in Head-level role within the financial services industry.

• University degree (at least Bachelor’s degree level) in law, or a professional Compliance or Risk qualification, such as CISI or ICA RC certifications etc.

• Extensive practical knowledge of the UK and EU financial services regulatory frameworks as well as of other relevant jurisdictions’ regulatory regimes.

• In-depth understanding of, as minimum, the Payment Services Regulations (PSRs), Electronic Money Regulations (EMRs) and respective Directives (PSD2), GDPR, Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) and MiFID2 regulatory frameworks.

• Proven experience in heading/leading Regulatory Compliance and/or Advisory Legal function within the financial services and/or payments industry with a focus on multi-jurisdictional compliance.

• Exceptional leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Strong understanding of Compliance Risk Management and Corporate Governance frameworks applicable to the UK and EU regulated businesses.

• Proven track record of dealing with, developing and maintaining good relationships with regulatory authorities in various jurisdictions.

• Extensive experience of drafting, implementing and maintaining overall Compliance policies and procedures and underlying documentation.

• Strong analytical and pragmatic problem-solving skills, with an ability to promote Regulatory Compliance agenda and foster a robust risk and compliance culture across the business.

• Meticulous attention to detail and efficient organisational skills and abilities.

• Experience of working in and adapting to a fast-paced and agile environment with a focus on execution and delivery of tasks.

• A pro-active mindset with the ability to anticipate and adapt to global regulatory and industry standards changes.

Benefits

• A competitive salary benchmarked against a peer group.

• 25 days holiday per year + your birthday off

• Opportunities for progression, development and learning new skills - £250 towards the cost of learning & development.

• Free onsite Nuffield Health gym & pool (London) and discounted gym membership elsewhere

• GetActive with Aviva - Health and Wellbeing discounts on services and products

• Interbank currency rates on travel money and international transfers.

• Bupa Private Healthcare

• Free Eye Test and £50 up to the cost of glasses

• EAP Service - Mental Health Services

• Life Assurance Policy - x3 annual salary

• Contributory pension scheme

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Season Ticket Loans

• Enhanced Parental Policies

• Complimentary tea, coffee, soft drinks and fruit

• We operate a hybrid working arrangement where possible

Working Arrangements

Where possible, we offer the opportunity to work flexibly and the opportunity to balance some remote working with time in the office collaborating, taking part in events and developing the social connections that make working with us rewarding.

For this senior role a minimum of 2-3 days in the office (London or Chester) will be required, with remote working offered for the remaining working days. Further details of the working arrangements shall be agreed with the Group CCRO.

Equals Group strives to create a workplace where we can all be ourselves. We believe in inclusion, equality and the power of diversity, so you'll be encouraged to bring your unique perspectives and experiences, and help us understand what you need to do your best work.

No agency support required at this time - thank you.