Director of Group Compliance - Family Office

Director of Group Compliance

An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced compliance professional to join a highly respected, privately held international business group as Director of Group Compliance. This newly created position, based in London, offers you the chance to work at the heart of a diverse organisation with operations spanning shipping, real estate, energy, banking, technology, and investments across Europe, North America, Australasia, the Near East, and Asia.

Reporting directly to the Group Head of Compliance, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing the compliance function across the Group. The role promises broad exposure to complex regulatory environments and the ability to influence best practices on a global scale. You will be joining a supportive and knowledgeable team that values collaboration and long-term career growth. If you are seeking a meaningful next step where your expertise will have tangible impact and your voice will be heard, this is the ideal move.

• Join a longstanding international business group and gain exposure to multiple sectors including shipping, real estate, energy, banking, technology, and investments.
• Play an integral part in developing and implementing robust compliance frameworks while working closely with senior leadership and stakeholders across global locations.
• Benefit from a collaborative culture that encourages knowledge sharing, professional development, and offers genuine opportunities for long-term career progression within a growing compliance function.

What you'll do:

As Director of Group Compliance, you will be instrumental in supporting the Group Head of Compliance by providing expert advice on complex regulatory matters affecting multiple sectors worldwide. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve managing a varied workload that includes overseeing due diligence processes for new business relationships, ensuring timely responses to regulatory queries from both internal teams and external partners, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of evolving legal requirements.

You will collaborate closely with colleagues across operational departments to drive improvements in efficiency while strengthening internal controls. By identifying emerging risks early on and developing practical mitigation strategies, you will help safeguard the organisation's reputation. Additionally, you will play a key role in shaping policy development initiatives by working alongside legal advisors and other stakeholders. Delivering impactful training sessions will also form part of your remit-ensuring that staff at every level understand their obligations under relevant laws. Success in this role requires not only technical expertise but also excellent interpersonal skills; your ability to communicate clearly with people at all levels will be vital as you build trusted relationships throughout this global enterprise.

• Provide dedicated compliance support, guidance, and direction to all areas of the business regarding legislative and regulatory matters as well as responding to related enquiries.
• Oversee the ongoing development and enhancement of the group's compliance infrastructure to ensure effective risk management practices are embedded throughout all operating businesses.
• Act as a primary point of contact for compliance queries and keep abreast of regulatory changes impacting the group's diverse activities.
• Conduct or oversee comprehensive due diligence and KYC processes for business counterparties, including sanction screening using external systems.
• Respond efficiently to due diligence requests from counterparties by completing FATCA/CRS forms, sanction questionnaires, and compiling relevant constitutional documentation in line with data integrity principles.
• Support the Group Head of Compliance by liaising with legal counsel and stakeholders to develop and implement effective compliance policies and procedures across all jurisdictions.
• Work collaboratively with operational departments to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and foster a positive control culture throughout the organisation.
• Identify potential compliance risks or regulatory issues early on and proactively mitigate them through practical solutions tailored to each business unit's needs.
• Monitor developments in legislation and industry standards to ensure that company policies remain current and fully compliant with all applicable requirements.
• Assist in designing and delivering engaging training sessions for staff on key regulatory topics to promote awareness and understanding throughout the workforce.

What you bring:

To excel as Director of Group Compliance you will bring significant experience from senior compliance roles within either regulated financial services or large multinational conglomerates. Your deep understanding of global regulatory frameworks-spanning anti-money laundering measures through to data protection-will enable you to provide nuanced guidance tailored to each business unit's unique context. You are adept at translating complex legal requirements into practical steps that can be implemented across diverse teams worldwide. Your interpersonal strengths mean you thrive when collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds; whether facilitating workshops or advising senior executives on risk mitigation strategies. A natural communicator who remains calm under pressure-you inspire trust even during periods of change or uncertainty. Your commitment to continuous improvement ensures that policies remain fit-for-purpose as regulations evolve. Above all else: your integrity shines through everything you do-making you a dependable partner for both internal stakeholders seeking reassurance about compliance matters as well as external regulators looking for transparency.

• A degree-level education or equivalent qualification is required; a background in law is advantageous but not essential for success in this role.
• At least ten years' experience within first or second line compliance roles gained in regulated financial services institutions (such as asset management firms or banks) or major conglomerates operating internationally.
• Extensive working knowledge of both international and national compliance requirements-including AML regulations, sanctions regimes, anti-bribery/corruption rules (ABC), data protection laws (GDPR), FATCA/CRS reporting obligations, OECD guidelines, modern slavery legislation-and their application within operational contexts.
• A proven track record in developing effective controls as well as process improvements within large organisations facing complex regulatory challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to identify risks/issues quickly using analytical skills while delivering commercially beneficial advice that supports business objectives without compromising integrity.
• A solutions-focused mindset combined with lateral thinking abilities; you see the bigger picture yet pay attention to detail when it matters most.
• Experience building strong relationships with internal/external stakeholders through clear communication-both written and verbal-even when dealing with challenging situations or tight deadlines.
• Resilience under pressure coupled with high levels of emotional intelligence; you act with integrity at all times while taking initiative for problem resolution when necessary.
• A collaborative approach that fosters teamwork across departments; you are comfortable working alongside others towards shared goals rather than acting alone.
• Experience designing/delivering training programmes on regulatory/compliance topics is highly desirable.

What sets this company apart:

This privately held international group stands out for its impressive heritage spanning multiple decades-and its unwavering commitment to responsible business practices across continents. With employees worldwide operating in sectors ranging from shipping through to technological investment, the organisation offers an unparalleled breadth of experience for those seeking variety in their careers. Employees benefit from being part of an inclusive environment where knowledge sharing is encouraged at every level; professional development is prioritised through access to training opportunities; generous pension contributions reflect long-term investment in staff wellbeing; supportive leadership ensures everyone feels valued regardless of their background or location. The group's collaborative ethos means your ideas will be heard-and your efforts recognised-as together you help shape best-in-class compliance standards globally. For those passionate about making a difference within an ethical framework: few employers offer such scope for personal growth combined with genuine impact on how business is done around the world.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates