Head of Risk & Compliance - UK Consulting

About Aptia Founded to shape the future of pensions, health, and insurance solutions, Aptia is a leading professional services firm dedicated to simplifying complexity for businesses and individuals. We bring together cutting-edge technology and deep industry expertise to help organisations navigate an evolving landscape with clarity and confidence.

With a presence in the US, UK, India, and Portugal, we support over six million people and more than 1,100 clients, delivering solutions that drive efficiency, enhance financial security, and provide peace of mind.

Our strength lies in the combination of smart technology and expert teams, ensuring that managing pensions, health, and insurance is more effective. By focusing on innovation, accessibility, and client success, we help businesses take care of their people, so they can focus on what they do best.

And we are expanding. Aptia Group is not only fueled by our investors' backing but also by our commitment to foster the growth and success of our people. At Aptia, we're investing heavily in learning and development, paving unique career paths for our colleagues. Specialist. Responsive. Thoughtful. Our values aren't just words; they are the backbone of our business. Our team embodies our values daily, to surpass client expectations, evolve constantly and nurture genuine relationships for the long-term.

Job requirements Aptia are seeking a Head of Risk & Compliance (SMF16/17) to support with the build out and ongoing governance leadership of our new consulting entity. As our UK Consulting business (Aptia Pension Consulting) continues to evolve and expand its regulated service offering, you will play a pivotal role in establishing the governance, risk and compliance framework that will support the next phase of growth. You'll lead the development of our regulatory infrastructure, help drive FCA authorisation activity, and create a robust, scalable control environment fit for a modern consulting organisation. If you're energised by creating new frameworks, influencing strategy, and operating at executive level, this role offers a unique platform to make a lasting impact. This is a visible senior role with responsibility for shaping and embedding the governance, compliance and risk agenda across our UK Consulting business. This is a hybrid role which can align with any Aptia UK office, though travel to the London Head Office will be required.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of a governance and risk framework for a newly established regulated consulting business.
• Act as the senior compliance leader and, following authorisation, perform the FCA-approved SMF16 and SMF17 responsibilities.
• Build and oversee compliance monitoring, risk management and assurance activities.
• Establish policies, committees, reporting structures and controls that support long-term growth and regulatory excellence.
• Own the financial crime framework, including AML, sanctions, fraud prevention and regulatory reporting obligations.
• Lead regulatory engagement and act as a key point of contact with the FCA.
• Oversee data privacy governance and ensure compliance with UK GDPR and associated regulatory requirements.
• Provide expert guidance and constructive challenge to senior leaders, governance committees and boards.
• Help shape a culture of accountability, customer focus and strong risk management across the business.

We are interested in experienced compliance and risk leaders who combine strong technical expertise with a builder's mindset.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Significant experience within FCA-regulated financial services environments, ideally in build or growth environments.
• Previous experience operating as an SMF16, SMF17, MLRO or equivalent senior compliance leader.
• A proven track record of engaging directly with regulators and leading regulatory interactions.
• Experience developing and embedding governance, compliance and risk frameworks.
• Deep knowledge of FCA regulations, SMCR, conduct risk and financial crime requirements.
• Strong leadership, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to thrive in a growing, evolving environment where you can balance strategy with hands-on execution.

You will ideally come from a financial services background, and experience working within a PE backed business environment would be advantageous. This is an opportunity to take ownership, shape a new practice, and help create a governance framework that supports sustainable growth for years to come.

Aptia is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment. At Aptia, fostering an equitable and inclusive environment for all our people to flourish is a priority. We are an equal opportunity employer and aim to attract and retain the best people without attention to age, background, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, political affiliation, race, religion, gender and sexual orientation. If there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to the recruitment process to ensure it is accessible to you, we encourage you to reach out to us.

Aptia is a trusted provider of employee benefits and pension administration services, with offices in the U.S. and U.K. supported by shared services in India and Portugal. We manage programs covering over six million people and serving more than 1,100 clients, catering to both B2B purchasers of the administration platform and B2C employees. With our extensive experience in the industry, we will deliver efficient and reliable solutions that ensure the smooth management of employee benefits programs. Our dedicated team of experts will combine in-depth knowledge with leading technology to simplify the administration process for clients.

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