Job descriptionHead of Compliance and MLRO / DPO (SMF16 and SMF17) City of London Permanent £130,000 - £150,000 cer Financial are working alongside a bank, who are based in the City of London. They are seeking a Head of Compliance and MLRO / DPO (SMF16 and SMF17) to work with them on a permanent basis. The responsibilities of the candidate will include * Develop and maintain the Bank’s Compliance & Financial Crime Framework in line with FCA,PRA, and international standards (e.g. FATF) * Ensure adherence to JMLSG guidance, sanctions regimes (OFAC, EU, HMT), and applicablelaws * Act as primary liaison with regulators (FCA, PRA, NCA) * Advise Senior Management on regulatory changes and business impact * Lead horizon scanning and maintain the Compliance Risk Appetite Statement * Ensure robust frameworks for TCF, conduct risk, and GDPR compliance * Act as MLRO, ensuring full AML/CTF compliance * Oversee AML frameworks (CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, sanctions/PEP screening,SARs) * Ensure timely SAR submissions to the NCA * Oversee AML risk assessments and remediation * Deliver AML training and awareness * Develop and maintain the Compliance Monitoring Plan (CMP) * Conduct risk assessments on correspondent banking, high-risk clients, and transactions * Oversee transaction monitoring systems and risk escalation * Serve as Data Protection Officer (UK GDPR, DPA 2018) * Act as main contact with the ICO * Oversee DPIAs, RoPA, DSARs, and breach reporting * Ensure governance over third-party data processors * Deliver data protection training and awareness * Present compliance, AML, financial crime, and data protection reports to committees and Board * Escalate material risks and breaches * Prepare Annual MLRO and Data Protection Reports * Support SMCR requirements * Lead, mentor, and develop the Compliance team * Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance management * Ensure adherence to internal policies, training, and operational resilience The successful candidate * Extensive UK banking experience in compliance, AML, and financial crime risk * Strong knowledge of FCA/PRA rules, AML/CTF, GDPR, and SMCR * Proven experience managing regulatory engagement, audits, and inspections * Experience in Private Banking, Correspondent Banking, or Trade Finance * AML certification (e.g. CAMS, ICA Diploma) * Knowledge of operational resilience, ESG, and emerging regulations * Data protection certification (e.g. CIPP/E, CIPM)