Position title
Head of Compliance (SMF16) – North West England
Description

Location: North West England (Lancashire) – hybrid working considered
Sector: FCA-authorised consumer and commercial finance
Type: Permanent, full-time (interim or fractional options considered)
Salary: Competitive, plus benefits
Start: As soon as possible

Role

SMF Capital is supporting an established, FCA-authorised finance business in North West England with the appointment of a Head of Compliance. The business arranges consumer and commercial finance for customers and partners across the UK, and is growing. It now needs an experienced compliance leader to own its regulatory framework and hold the SMF16 Compliance Oversight function under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.

This is a hands-on leadership role in a lean, entrepreneurial business. You will report to the Managing Director, sit close to the decision-making, and be the firm's main point of contact with the Financial Conduct Authority. The role suits someone who enjoys building and embedding a compliance function rather than maintaining one, and who can give commercial colleagues clear, practical answers.

Responsibilities

  • Hold the SMF16 Compliance Oversight function and take accountability for the firm's compliance with FCA rules and principles.
  • Own and develop the compliance monitoring programme, including risk-based file reviews, call monitoring, financial promotions sign-off and thematic reviews.
  • Embed the Consumer Duty across the business, including outcomes monitoring, fair value assessments, customer journey reviews and the annual board report.
  • Oversee the firm's credit broking activities, including affordability and creditworthiness processes, disclosures, commission arrangements and lender relationships.
  • Manage regulatory relationships and reporting, including FCA correspondence, RegData returns, notifications and any variation of permission.
  • Oversee complaints handling and root-cause analysis, including Financial Ombudsman Service referrals and DISP compliance.
  • Maintain the SMCR framework: statements of responsibilities, the certification regime, fitness and propriety assessments and conduct rules training.
  • Review and approve financial promotions across websites, social media, partner and merchant materials.
  • Provide oversight of partners, introducers and any appointed representative or merchant network, including due diligence and ongoing monitoring.
  • Work alongside the MLRO (or hold SMF17 if suitably experienced) on anti-money laundering, financial crime and fraud controls.
  • Report regularly to the Managing Director and board on compliance risk, monitoring findings, regulatory change and remedial actions.
  • Lead, coach and develop a small compliance team, and build a strong compliance culture across sales and operations.
  • Track regulatory change and translate it into clear, workable policies and procedures for the business.
Qualifications

  • Proven experience as Head of Compliance, Compliance Manager or Compliance Officer in an FCA-regulated firm, ideally consumer credit, credit broking, motor or asset finance, or retail lending.
  • Experience holding, or ready to hold, the SMF16 Compliance Oversight function. SMF17 (MLRO) experience is an advantage.
  • Strong working knowledge of CONC, PRIN, SYSC, DISP, the Consumer Duty and SMCR.
  • Track record of designing and running a risk-based compliance monitoring programme.
  • Experience of direct FCA engagement, regulatory returns and handling regulatory change.
  • Confident reviewing financial promotions and customer communications, including digital and social media content.
  • A recognised compliance qualification (for example ICA, CISI or equivalent) is desirable; equivalent practical experience will be considered.
  • Commercially minded, pragmatic and able to explain regulatory requirements clearly to non-specialists.
  • Comfortable working in a smaller, fast-moving business where you will be both strategic and hands-on.
  • Able to work regularly from an office in Lancashire, with hybrid working considered.
Job Benefits

  • Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
  • Senior, visible role reporting directly to the Managing Director, with real influence over how the business grows.
  • The chance to shape and own the compliance function, rather than inherit a fixed structure.
  • Hybrid working considered.
  • Pension and holiday entitlement in line with a senior appointment.
  • Support with professional development and continuing professional qualifications.
  • Interim and fractional candidates are also welcome to apply, as the business is open to a flexible arrangement while a permanent appointment is made.
Employment Type
Full-time
Beginning of employment
1st December 2026
Duration of employment
Perm
Industry
Financial Services
Job Location
Lancashire, United Kingdom
Working Hours
9-5
Base Salary
£70,000-£80,000 Per year
Date posted
November 3, 2026
Valid through
November 30, 2026
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