Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Head of Compliance

🎯 Role Definition

We are actively searching for a visionary and meticulous Head of Compliance to join our executive team. In this critical leadership position, you will be the cornerstone of our corporate integrity, responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing all aspects of the company's compliance program. You will provide strategic guidance to senior leadership and the board, ensuring our business practices not only meet but exceed regulatory requirements across all jurisdictions. The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with a deep understanding of the regulatory environment, exceptional judgment, and a proven track record of building and leading high-performing compliance teams. This is a unique opportunity to shape the ethical framework of a growing organization and protect its reputation and assets.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Director of Compliance
Senior Compliance Counsel / Manager
Head of a specialized compliance area (e.g., Head of AML, Head of Privacy)

Advancement To:

Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)
Chief Risk Officer (CRO)
General Counsel

Lateral Moves:

Head of Risk Management
Head of Internal Audit
Chief Privacy Officer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously enhance a comprehensive, enterprise-wide compliance framework, including policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.
Act as the primary advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior management on all matters related to compliance, regulatory developments, and potential risk exposure.
Oversee and direct the company's global regulatory compliance efforts, including but not limited to anti-money laundering (AML), sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption (ABC), and data privacy (GDPR, CCPA).
Lead the design and execution of the annual compliance risk assessment process to identify, analyze, and prioritize key compliance risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.
Manage all interactions and communications with regulatory bodies, including responding to inquiries, coordinating regulatory examinations, and overseeing the timely submission of all required filings and reports.
Champion a strong "culture of compliance" throughout the organization through the development and delivery of engaging and effective training programs for all employees and relevant stakeholders.
Direct and manage internal investigations into potential compliance breaches, whistleblower reports, or ethical violations, ensuring matters are handled discreetly, thoroughly, and in accordance with company policy.
Provide strategic compliance guidance on new product launches, market expansions, and other business initiatives to ensure regulatory requirements are embedded from the outset.
Establish and monitor key risk indicators (KRIs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the compliance program, preparing regular, insightful reports for the executive team and board.
Oversee the company's third-party risk management program, ensuring vendors, partners, and suppliers meet our compliance and ethical standards through robust due diligence.
Maintain an expert-level understanding of the evolving legal and regulatory landscape, proactively identifying potential impacts on the business and advising on necessary strategic adjustments.
Lead, mentor, and develop a global team of compliance professionals, fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment and ensuring the team has the resources and skills to succeed.
Manage the compliance department's budget, resource allocation, and technology stack, including the selection and implementation of GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) tools.
Serve as the designated Compliance Officer for the organization, holding ultimate responsibility for the effectiveness of the compliance program.
Chair the internal Compliance Committee and participate in other governance committees (e.g., Risk, Audit) to ensure alignment across control functions.
Develop and maintain the company’s Code of Conduct and associated policies, ensuring they are regularly reviewed, updated, and effectively communicated across the organization.
Oversee the company’s licensing and registration requirements across all operating jurisdictions, ensuring all licenses are current and in good standing.
Direct the monitoring and testing program to assess the effectiveness of compliance controls, identify gaps, and drive remediation efforts.
Collaborate closely with Legal, Finance, HR, and Internal Audit departments to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach to risk management and corporate governance.
Act as a key stakeholder in crisis management situations involving regulatory or ethical issues, providing clear guidance and leading the response strategy.
Review and approve marketing materials, external communications, and customer-facing disclosures for compliance with advertising standards and consumer protection laws.

Secondary Functions

Participate in due diligence activities for potential mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships to assess compliance risks and integration requirements.
Represent the company at industry conferences, regulatory forums, and working groups to stay abreast of best practices and influence policy.
Oversee the management of relationships with external legal counsel and compliance consultants, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality service.
Serve on internal steering committees for major technology or business transformation projects to provide compliance input.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Interpretation: Deep expertise in interpreting and applying complex financial, privacy, and industry-specific regulations (e.g., BSA/AML, OFAC, FCPA, GDPR).
Compliance Framework Design: Proven ability to build, implement, and scale a global compliance management system (CMS) from the ground up.
Risk Assessment Methodologies: Mastery of qualitative and quantitative risk assessment techniques to identify and prioritize compliance risks.
Policy Drafting & Management: Exceptional ability to write clear, concise, and actionable compliance policies and procedures.
Investigative Procedures: Experience leading or overseeing sensitive internal investigations and managing whistleblower programs.
Regulatory Reporting: Proficiency in managing and overseeing the accurate and timely submission of regulatory reports and filings.
Audit & Exam Management: Proven track record of successfully managing regulatory examinations and internal audits.
GRC Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platforms and other compliance technology.
Financial Crime Prevention: In-depth knowledge of anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), and sanctions screening systems and processes.
Data Privacy Expertise: Strong understanding of global data protection and privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA/CPRA).
Control Testing & Monitoring: Skill in designing and executing effective monitoring and testing programs to validate control effectiveness.

Soft Skills

Ethical Judgment & Unquestionable Integrity: The ability to make sound, ethical decisions under pressure and serve as a moral compass for the organization.
Executive Presence & Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex topics for executive and board-level audiences.
Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, anticipate future regulatory trends, and align the compliance function with business objectives.
Leadership & Team Development: A natural leader with experience building, mentoring, and motivating a high-performing, global team.
Stakeholder Management & Influence: Adept at building relationships and influencing outcomes with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including regulators.
Pragmatic Problem-Solving: A practical, business-oriented approach to problem-solving that balances risk mitigation with commercial needs.
Resilience & Composure: Ability to remain calm, focused, and decisive in high-stress situations and during crises.
Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation skills for interacting with regulators, partners, and internal business leaders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

Juris Doctor (JD)
Master of Laws (LLM) or Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Relevant professional certification (e.g., CCEP, CAMS)

Relevant Fields of Study:

Law
Business Administration
Finance
Public Policy

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

12-18+ years of progressive experience within a compliance, legal, or audit function, with a significant portion spent in a leadership capacity.

Preferred:

Direct experience as a "Head of," Director, or VP of Compliance within a regulated industry (e.g., FinTech, Banking, Financial Services, Healthcare).
Demonstrable experience building and scaling a compliance program in a high-growth environment.
Prior experience serving as the primary point of contact for major regulatory bodies (e.g., SEC, FINRA, FCA, OCC).
Experience managing a global compliance team across multiple jurisdictions.