> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/344899-head-of-compliance-legal](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/344899-head-of-compliance-legal). 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 & Legal

- **Company:** The Fca
- **Location:** London, UK
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** £130,000.0 - £150,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Data Transmissions, Online Banking, Payment Service Provider, Data Processing
- **Published:** June 16, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.complianceprofessionals.co.uk/job/head-of-compliance-legal/

## About the Role

* Qualified solicitor (England and Wales) with a background in financial services, fintech, or payments regulation.
 * Strong working knowledge of UK GDPR, data protection law, and international data transfer mechanisms.
 * Familiarity with AML/KYC frameworks and MLR obligations.
 * Ability to operate independently, set your own priorities, and manage your own workload with minimal oversight.
 * Comfortable working in a small startup environment where you will be the sole compliance and legal resource.
 * Pragmatic approach - able to distinguish between what needs to be perfect and what needs to be done.

## Description

Regulatory Compliance and Policy:

 * Own ongoing FCA compliance obligations, including regulatory reporting, policy maintenance, and horizon scanning for relevant regulatory change.
 * Lead the compliance and policy elements of ISO 27001 certification (already underway) and DIATF certification (to be initiated).
 * Act as the company's lead on GDPR, UK data protection, international data transfers (SCCs, UK Addendum), and data processing agreements.
 * Own AML/KYC policy and oversight and ongoing monitoring of the company's compliance framework.
 * Manage the relationship with the existing fractional DPO, with a view to assuming the DPO role over time.
 * Advise on Open Banking and Payment Services Regulations as they apply to business products.
 * Draft and maintain external-facing policies, privacy notices, and regulatory documentation.
 * Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory bodies (FCA, ICO) where required.
 * Represent the business at external industry forums, working groups, and regulatory consultations, contributing to policy discussions and helping shape the design of regulation that affects the business.

Legal:

 * Provide first-pass review of commercial contracts, supplier agreements, partnership terms, and customer-facing terms of service.
 * Manage and instruct external solicitors where specialist advice is needed (e.g. employment law, complex commercial disputes), reducing unnecessary external spend.
 * Advise the leadership team on legal risk across the business.
 * Support fundraising processes from a legal/regulatory perspective where needed.

Governance and Risk:

 * Develop and maintain the company's compliance monitoring programme.
 * Report to the board on compliance risk, regulatory developments, and policy gaps.
 * Contribute to the company's broader risk management and information security governance alongside the technical team.


## Related Videos

- [Why make use of an integration platform in today's software developments and infrastructure?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/758-why-make-use-of-an-integration-platform-in-today-s-software-developments-and-infrastructure)
- [Implementing continuous delivery in a data processing pipeline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/73-implementing-continuous-delivery-in-a-data-processing-pipeline)
- [Europe's Regulatory Paradox: Burden, Barrier or Competitive Advantage?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100347-europe-s-regulatory-paradox-burden-barrier-or-competitive-advantage)
- [Your Enterprise RAG Has No Legal Basis](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100344-your-enterprise-rag-has-no-legal-basis)
- [Going Quantum: The future of the internet ...](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/672-going-quantum-the-future-of-the-internet)
- [A Hitchhiker's Guide to Resource Efficient Software](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1414-a-hitchhiker-s-guide-to-resource-efficient-software)

## Related Articles

- [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)
- [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)
- [Should AI be Regulated? The Arguments For and Against](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/271-should-ai-be-regulated-the-arguments-for-and-against)
- [The Biggest German Tech Companies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/424-the-biggest-german-tech-companies)
- [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production)