Head of Compliance, Guernsey

Our client is a leading international life assurance and wealth solutions provider, supporting private and institutional clients with cross-border wealth planning, investment and protection solutions. Operating across several regulated jurisdictions, the organisation has an established presence in Guernsey and is known for its technical expertise, strong governance standards and long-term approach to client service.
They are looking for an experienced Head of Compliance to lead and oversee all aspects of regulatory compliance and financial crime risk management for their Guernsey business.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this senior leadership role will act as Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO). The successful candidate will provide expert advice to the Boards and senior stakeholders while ensuring robust frameworks, controls and regulatory standards are maintained.

This is an excellent opportunity for a strategic compliance professional to influence decisions at executive level, strengthen the organisation’s compliance culture and support its continued growth.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead and manage the Compliance function, covering regulatory compliance and financial crime.
• Act as the prescribed Compliance Officer and MLRO.
• Monitor regulatory developments and advise the CEO, Boards and senior management on any required changes.
• Design and maintain effective financial crime frameworks aligned with local legislation, regulatory requirements and wider group policies.
• Oversee internal disclosures, external reporting and liaison with regulators, law enforcement agencies and other competent authorities.
• Provide effective second-line oversight, guidance and challenge to first-line business teams.
• Assess and monitor risks relating to money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions, fraud, bribery, corruption and tax evasion.
• Oversee customer due diligence, screening and financial crime investigation standards.
• Prepare and present compliance reports, risk assessments and management information to Boards, executive committees and other governance forums.
• Advise senior stakeholders on regulatory, money laundering and reputational risk.
• Support the development of a strong and consistent compliance culture across the organisation.
• Lead, develop and engage the Compliance team, ensuring objectives and deadlines are met.
• Maintain key compliance documentation and oversee periodic reviews, trigger events and screening alerts.
• Establish and maintain regulatory and anti-money laundering training programmes.
• Contribute to relevant projects, system developments and process improvements.
• Promote high standards of corporate governance and operational risk awareness.

Skills and Experience
• Previous or current recent regulatory approval as a Compliance Officer, MLRO or MLCO.
• Previous experience holding an MLRO position within a regulated financial services business.
• Strong second-line financial crime and regulatory compliance experience.
• A formal qualification in compliance and/or financial crime.
• Strong technical knowledge of applicable regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly across Guernsey, the UK, the EU and Singapore.
• A sound understanding of financial products, industry practices and regulatory expectations.
• Insurance sector experience would be advantageous.
• Experience developing management information and producing reports for Boards and senior committees.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of how compliance supports wider business strategy.
• Previous line management experience, with the ability to develop and engage team members.
• Strong influencing and stakeholder management skills, including the confidence to advise at executive and Board level.
• Good working knowledge of compliance systems and Microsoft Office applications.

The Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will be a credible and technically accomplished compliance leader. They will combine sound regulatory judgement with strong commercial awareness and the ability to communicate complex matters clearly.

They will be organised, analytical and comfortable managing competing priorities. A proactive approach, strong attention to detail and the confidence to constructively challenge senior stakeholders will be essential.

For more information, please email: View email address on spotajob.com. Please visit our website for our latest vacancies.