> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/343320-head-of-compliance-colp](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/343320-head-of-compliance-colp). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Head of Compliance & COLP - **Company:** HLA Recruitment Ltd - **Location:** Manchester, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £70,000.0 - £75,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Encodings, Cyber Security - **Published:** June 11, 2026 - **Apply:** https://uk.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=3833d955caf118ef ## About the Role Do you have a valid Practising Certificate license?, Do you have experience in Quality assurance?, Do you have a Bachelor's degree?, We are ideally looking for someone to start ASAP or on a short notice/ Qualified solicitor (or equivalent legally qualified professional) with a current practicing certificate., * In-depth knowledge of the SRA Standards and Regulations, the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms and for Solicitors, and the regulatory framework applicable to litigation and debt recovery. * Sound working knowledge of the Civil Procedure Rules, pre-action protocols (including the Pre-Action Protocol for Debt Claims) and County Court procedure. * Good understanding of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 as they apply to a legal services provider. * Ability to interpret complex legal and regulatory frameworks and translate them into clear, practical policies and procedures that fit the firm's operating model. * Strong supervisory and line management skills, including the ability to coach, develop and set clear expectations for direct reports. * Excellent organisational skills to manage compliance registers, audit programmes and reporting cycles across the firm. * Confident communicator able to deliver compliance training, challenge at senior level and engage constructively with regulators. * High ethical standards, sound judgement and personal integrity - with the resilience to enforce compliance consistently across all levels of the firm. Qualification and Experience * Qualified solicitor (or equivalent legally qualified professional) with a current practising certificate. * Proven experience in a COLP, Head of Compliance, or senior compliance role within a regulated legal services firm, ideally with a debt recovery, litigation or civil claims focus. * Demonstrable experience of SRA engagement, serious breach reporting, handling regulatory correspondence and preparing firms for external audit. ## Description The Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) is responsible for ensuring the firm's compliance with the SRA Standards and Regulations, the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms and for Solicitors, and all other legal and regulatory obligations applicable to a specialist debt recovery practice. The role carries personal statutory responsibility under the SRA Authorisation of Firms Rules and oversees the systems, controls and culture that enable the firm to operate ethically, lawfully and in clients' best interests. The COLP works closely with the Managing Director, manages key legal practitioners, supports the litigation function and acts as the principal interface between the firm and its regulators on matters of professional conduct. Duties and Responsibilities Regulatory Compliance and SRA Engagement * Act as the principal point of contact with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) on all matters relating to the firm's compliance with the SRA Standards and Regulations, Code of Conduct, Principles and Enforcement Strategy. * Monitor, identify and record compliance breaches; report serious breaches to the SRA promptly and maintain the firm's register of material and non-material breaches. * Lead the firm's annual SRA renewal exercise, including the Firm Information Return, renewal of the firm's authorisation and the renewal of individual practicing certificates for all authorised staff. * Ensure the firm continues to meet the SRA Transparency Rules on price and service information, complaints handling and regulatory information published to clients. * Keep up to date with developments in the wider legal, regulatory and debt recovery landscape (including SRA guidance, CPR updates, County Court practice, FCA guidance on consumer debt where relevant to clients, and pre-action protocol changes) and cascade relevant updates to the firm. * Maintain, review and update the firm's suite of compliance policies, procedures and plans to reflect regulatory change and the firm's risk appetite. Risk Management and Internal Controls * Identify, assess and mitigate conduct and regulatory risks specific to a high-volume debt recovery practice, including risks arising from bulk litigation, vulnerable customer interactions, and court processes. * Maintain the firm's risk register and compliance plan. * Maintain oversight of the paralegal function through a programme of second-line compliance audits and file reviews, reporting findings and improvement actions to the relevant team managers. * Oversee the firm's approach to client confidentiality, information security and UK GDPR compliance, working with the Data Protection Lead where applicable. Supervision, Support and Line Management * Provide day-to-day compliance support and regulatory advice to the Litigation Team Managers, enabling them to manage their teams confidently within the regulatory framework. * Line manage the Senior Solicitor and the Litigation Operations Solicitor, including regular 1-2-1s, objective setting, performance management, appraisals and professional development. * Advise other key stakeholders - including directors, senior leadership, operations, HR, finance and client-facing teams - on the regulatory implications of commercial and operational decisions. * Supervise the handling of claims brought against the business, including professional negligence claims, complaints escalated to the Legal Ombudsman, and any regulatory investigations, liaising with the firm's professional indemnity insurers and external counsel as required. Training, Culture and Awareness * Design and deliver the firm's compliance training programme, covering SRA conduct obligations, debt recovery specific issues (including treatment of vulnerable customers and pre-action conduct), confidentiality, data protection and complaints handling. * Support the senior leadership team in embedding a compliance-first, ethical culture that prioritises clients' best interests and the proper administration of justice. Complaints, Conduct and Incident Management * Oversee the firm's complaints handling procedure, ensuring complaints are resolved in line with SRA requirements and, where applicable, escalated appropriately to the Legal Ombudsman. * Investigate and respond to reports of misconduct, regulatory breach or allegations against individuals within the firm, implementing corrective action where needed. * Act as a confidential point of contact for staff raising concerns about conduct or compliance. Audit and Continuous Improvement * Coordinate, host and respond to external audits, acting as the firm's lead point of contact. * Review audit findings, agree corrective and preventative actions, implement improvements and track them to completion. * Run an internal programme of themed compliance reviews and file audits to test the effectiveness of the firm's controls. Reporting and Communication * Prepare and present regular compliance reports to the senior leadership team and the board, covering breaches, risks, audit outcomes, training and regulatory developments. * Represent the firm during regulatory inspections, visits or requests for information from the SRA or other governing bodies. * Maintain clear, auditable records of compliance activity to support internal governance and external scrutiny. ## Related Videos - [Great DevEx and Regulatory Compliance - Possible?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1426-great-devex-and-regulatory-compliance-possible) - [Thinking Differently - How to Make Money from Cyber Attacks & Cheats](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/745-thinking-differently-how-to-make-money-from-cyber-attacks-cheats) - [A Brief History of Data Storage](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/974-a-brief-history-of-data-storage) - [My Lawyer Merged My PR: Automating OSS Compliance at Scale](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100181-my-lawyer-merged-my-pr-automating-oss-compliance-at-scale) - [Cyber Security: Small, and Large!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/259-cyber-security-small-and-large) - [JSON and Beyond](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/968-json-and-beyond) ## Related Articles - [UK Business Culture and Etiquette](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/326-uk-business-culture-and-etiquette) - [Data Analyst Salary in the UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/278-data-analyst-salary-in-the-uk) - [Best Companies to work for in London: Top 25 Companies in 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/187-best-companies-to-work-for-in-london-top-25-companies-in-2023) - [Where To Find Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/396-where-to-find-software-engineering-jobs) - [Software Engineer Salary London](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/252-software-engineer-salary-london) - [Top HR Tech Conferences in 2024](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/303-top-hr-tech-conferences-in-2024)