Senior Compliance Manager

Northreach is a dynamic recruitment agency that connects businesses with top talent in the cell & gene therapy, fintech, and digital sectors. Our mission is to provide a seamless and personalised recruitment experience for clients and candidates, and to create a positive work environment that encourages equality, innovation, and professional growth. We have partnered with a UK based specialist lender who are looking for a Senior Compliance Manager to join their team.

We are recruiting a Senior Compliance Manager to join our growing Compliance & Risk function. This is a key leadership role for an experienced compliance professional ready to take greater ownership, drive improvement, and operate as a trusted business partner across the organisation.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership and operational teams to strengthen governance frameworks, embed Consumer Duty, enhance KYC/onboarding standards, and ensure ongoing compliance with FCA, JMLSG and FLA guidance.

This role suits someone stepping up from a Compliance Manager role or operating as a senior number-two looking for clear career progression.

Lead the ongoing development and embedding of the Consumer Duty plan across operational teams.

Support business units in translating regulatory obligations into practical controls.

Strengthen KYC & customer onboarding frameworks, incorporating electronic &V and enhanced due diligence tools.

Review and improve compliance processes ensuring proportionality, efficiency, and regulatory robustness.

Design, implement and maintain a structured Root Cause Analysis (RCA) programme to identify trends, remediate weaknesses, and support continuous improvement.

Oversee and enhance the organisation’s SMCR framework, including annual certification, conduct rule monitoring and Fit & Proper assessments.

Maintain key compliance registers and governance documentation.

Deliver compliance training across the business, supporting induction programmes and ongoing development.

Mentor and oversee junior Compliance Officers, contributing to capability building within the team.

Conduct internal compliance monitoring and thematic reviews.

Review findings, produce actionable management information, and track remediation activity.

Act as a compliance business partner to operational teams and senior stakeholders.

Support regulatory interactions and any external advisory engagement where required.

We are seeking candidates who bring:

Asset finance, commercial lending, or regulated financial services experience

Strong working knowledge of:

• FCA Handbook
• Consumer Duty
• SMCR
• JMLSG Guidance
• FLA standards

Experience strengthening or rebuilding operational compliance frameworks (KYC/CDD onboarding processes).

Proven ability to design and operate monitoring or RCA programmes.

Capability to train, influence, and collaborate across frontline and leadership teams.

Confidence operating in a hands-on, commercially minded environment.

Northreach is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and hiring practices, therefore only partner with business that promote DEI. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.