Senior Risk and Compliance Manager

Department: Risk & Compliance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: London

Reporting To: Tristan Clarke

Compensation: £75,000 - £105,000 / year

Description

As a Risk & Compliance Manager, you will:

• Be a key leader within our Oversight function, reporting to the Risk & Compliance Senior Director.
• Act as a subject matter expert in risk management, particularly operational risk, incident management, and controls.
• Oversee and enhance frameworks, policies, and tools for identifying, assessing, and documenting risks across the business.
• Provide insight and challenge on methodologies for quantifying operational and business risk, including during the ICARA process.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Operations, and other teams to assess operational risks and capital/liquidity impacts of new products and major business changes.
• Lead on compliance advisory work, offering pragmatic regulatory guidance on new products, strategic initiatives, and customer issues.
• Oversee compliance reviews and controls testing, ensuring effective risk and compliance monitoring.
• Manage, support, and coach members of the Risk & Compliance team, developing both technical and soft skills.
• Drive enhancements to risk and compliance policies, processes, and controls, and oversee reporting to the Executive and Board.
• Champion a strong culture of risk and compliance across the organisation, embedding these considerations into daily operations.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

• Background in regulated financial services, with strong knowledge of the retail investments space.
• Deep experience in enterprise risk management and operational risk, with a practical, business-focused approach.
• Strong knowledge of UK financial services regulation, including governance and controls, prudential risk management, Consumer Duty, and conduct of business rules.
• Track record of delivering ICARA processes and embedding risk frameworks.
• Passion for regulation and delivering good customer outcomes.

• Resourceful, self-starter with appetite for new challenges.
• Strong, supportive manager with excellent coaching skills.
• Committed to continuous learning and development.
• Excellent communicator, able to translate risk and compliance concepts for diverse audiences and influence at all levels.
• Ambitious and aligned with Freetrade’s mission.

• At least 8 years in Risk and Compliance roles within retail-focused financial services.
• Experience engaging with senior management, boards, and regulators.
• Potential SMF16 experience in a smaller firm is a plus.

• Degree.
• Compliance qualification (e.g. ICA) and/or risk management qualification (e.g. IRM).
• Additional professional qualifications such as CFA, CIA, ACA, CIMA are advantageous.

Benefits

• Competitive salary – carefully benchmarked.
• Bonus Scheme - join us and share in our growth.

• Holidays – 25 days plus UK public holidays. Your birthday off, plus one extra day for every year at Freetrade.
• Enhanced pension – We’ll match your contributions up to 5%.
• Group Life Insurance – Protect your loved ones with coverage at 5x your salary, ensuring financial security in any circumstance.
• Private Health Insurance - Which includes access to high quality medical care, mental health support, dental and vision plans, Wellness programs and preventative care initiatives are also provided to ensure the wellbeing of your entire family.
• Income Protection Cover – Safeguard your income with comprehensive coverage, ensuring financial stability in the event of illness or injury.
• Enhanced parental leave – Time off when it matters most.
• Flexibility for those who need it – We’re office-first, but life happens. Whether you’re a parent or have care responsibilities, we focus on output and trust you to manage your time.
• Learning & Development – We fund industry qualifications so you can grow as a financial services professional.
• Cycle to Work scheme – Get a high quality bike and gear through our salary sacrifice scheme, spreading the cost with tax free monthly installments.
• Paid Sick Leave – Receive 10 days of fully paid sick leave each calendar year.

1. Initial interview – A chat with one of our Talent Specialists.
2. Hiring Manager interview – A deep dive into your skills and experience.
3. Task Presentation – Show us how you think and solve problems.
4. Executive interview – A conversation with our stakeholders, where we also assess cultural fit.