Business Compliance Lead

 The Compliance lead role is an exciting opportunity and pivotal to Outsourcing as we grow. Reporting into the Risk Manager, you will ensure that we remain compliant in the services we provide to our Regulated clients and provide the level of support required to ensure that we deliver all contractual obligations. The role leads a modern, risk-based and technology-enabled compliance function that is embedded across the business, supporting rapid product and operational change while ensuring safe growth and strong regulatory, ethical and customer outcomes. This is a broad and challenging role and essential that the successful candidate is flexible whilst maintaining a positive outlook.

The Role:

1. Identify, Plan and Apply

• Develop, implement, embed and maintain an efficient and independent Compliance Function within Outsourcing GB. 
• Maintaining up to date mapping of the regulatory framework applicable to the Relevant Business, determining the effect of any changes, assessing the adequacy of internal policies, procedures and controls in view of the changes and briefing relevant business and Compliance stakeholders. 
• Oversee horizon scanning for regulatory developments and reporting any new or proposed regulation or legislation that may impact the Relevant Business to relevant business and Compliance stakeholders.
• Awareness of the threat landscape, geopolitical, technology and reputational risk impacting regulatory requirements. 
• Assess whether policies and procedures, systems and controls fully address regulatory or compliance strategic requirements applicable to the Relevant Business. Develop, implement, embed and maintain an efficient Compliance framework of policies and procedures, systems and controls.  
• Work closely with the Business first line of defence to identify, manage and mitigate various regulatory risks. 
• Identify compliance training needs within Outsourcing and lead the development and delivery of compliance training ensuring appropriate business input. 
• Culture shaper, encourage risk management and resilience culture and be a risk-based decision partner. 
• Create and deliver an annual Compliance Plan as required for Outsourcing clients including an annual compliance report
• Champion Compliance at all levels, support and provide pragmatic risk-based advice and counsel to all appropriate stakeholders as well as provide effective challenge and oversight. 
• Engage in the business risk assessment process, providing support in the identification of compliance and regulatory risks, using commercial awareness to provide challenge so that such risks are appropriately understood and managed. 
• Provide guidance and advice to business management in developing appropriate 'tone from the top' and awareness of required business conduct and ethical standards, including the Code of Conduct. 

2. Support

• Provide technical regulatory advice and support to the Relevant Business and other stakeholders in understanding their responsibilities and obligations under relevant WTW policies and regulatory requirements. Engage with operational areas to assist with formulating compliance best-practice procedures that are balanced to meet the needs of the business, the customers and regulators. 
• Compliance Function ad-hoc strategic or operational projects as requested. 
• Record keeping in line  with regulatory requirements and/or WTW policies and procedures. 
• Investigate suspected, alleged or actual breaches of regulatory requirements or WTW Compliance policies and procedures within the Relevant Business and ensure resolution. Develop corrective action plans and track implementation status for revisions of other compliance-related controls. 

3. Monitoring and Testing

• Oversee the program of testing activities in respect of Outsourcing GB in line with the annual Compliance Plan of Regulated clients and on an ad-hoc basis, ensuring that remedial action is taken, and material issues, incidents and breaches are escalated to relevant stakeholders. 
• Collate and deliver accurate and appropriate compliance metrics and information to appropriate stakeholders in Outsourcing and Regulated clients. Compile and deliver compliance records or information requested by internal/external auditors. 
• Evidence ongoing compliance supporting ongoing product iteration (fast paced product change and innovation cycles). 

 4. Engagement

• Maintain effective relationships with regulators and relevant supervisory authorities or self-regulating bodies and Regulated clients; ensure timely submission of accurate regulatory reporting; respond to regulatory information requests and enquiries. Reporting of issues and breaches to applicable regulators where requested or required. 
• Represent WTW in relevant industry or similar associations or groups as appropriate. 
• Act as a professional, trusted and transparent Business Partner to Outsourcing and other stakeholders.
• Ensure quality and proactive engagement at all levels, by e.g. attending relevant meetings, and supporting the business in meeting its regulatory obligations. Partner with management and foster a collaborative approach to embedding ‘compliance culture’ throughout the business and to support the Three Lines of Defence model. 
• Foster close relationships with other Functions including Legal, Risk and Internal Audit. 

5. Continuous Improvement 

• Regulatory foresight: anticipates and manages complex risk.
• Confident in continually re-assessing status quo with the ability to conduct compliance risk assessments and process improvements. 
• Monitor and enhance the effectiveness of the compliance control frameworks.
• Collaborate with the overall Quality Standards team (e.g. Continuous Process Improvement, Technical function, Complaint Hub) for a coordinated compliance approach]
• Support compliance transformation and improvement initiatives across business functions. 

What you'll bring: 

Essential:

• Strong regulatory and corporate governance knowledge/understanding required.
• Strong experience in a minimum of one of the regulatory topics: Consumer Duty/Client Protection, Financial Crime and Data Protection. 
• Experience of interpreting complex regulatory requirements to non-technical stakeholders.
• Knowledge of pension industry practices and procedures is a plus. 
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels to promote an effective and business focused compliance culture. 
• Ability to work, both individually and as a team, under pressure to tight timelines and without direct supervision. 
• Commercial awareness – a commercial and pragmatic approach to managing compliance risks.
• Commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining excellent understanding of regulatory developments.
• Must be committed to maintaining a robust compliance culture and high ethical standards. 
• Always demonstrates high integrity.
• Proactive and a self-starter.
• Organised and methodical.
• Demonstrate experience of problem solving and root cause analysis skills. 
• Strong communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• IT literate – knowledge of Microsoft office packages needed.

 Desirable

• Preferably holds a relevant ICA, CISI or equivalent qualification
• Project management experience preferable
• Professional experience gained within an insurance broking, general or life insurance, pensions or asset management. 

What we offer:

Enjoy a benefits package designed to help you thrive, both professionally and personally. You'll receive 25 days of annual leave plus an extra WTW day to relax and recharge. Our comprehensive health and wellbeing offering includes private healthcare, life insurance, group income protection, and regular health assessments, all giving you peace of mind. Secure your future with our defined contribution pension scheme, featuring matched contributions up to 10% from the company.

We support your growth and balance with hybrid working options, access to an employee assistance programme, and a fully paid volunteer day to make a difference in your community. On top of these, you can opt into a variety of additional perks including an electric vehicle car scheme, share scheme, cycle-to-work programme, dental and optical cover, critical illness protection, and much more. Start making the most of your career and wellbeing with a range of benefits tailored for you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re committed to equal employment opportunity and provide application, interview and workplace adjustments and accommodations to all applicants. If you foresee any barriers, from the application process through to joining WTW, please email candidate.helpdesk@wtwco.com