Compliance Director - UK Regulatory Affairs (FTC)

6 Mar 2026

London, LND, GB, EC2M 2AT

SMBC: A trusted partner for the long term 

 

Here at SMBC Group, we want to help you find the next step in your career so read on to discover if this opportunity is the one for you. We like to recognise potential in our people, so we welcome your application even when your experience doesn’t perfectly align with the job description. Whilst we’ll always strive to be better, we’re proud of our inclusive culture, and encourage our applicants and colleagues to be their authentic, unique selves. 

 

 

Who we are

United by a sense of purpose towards our customers – to be a trusted partner for the long-term – and our universal banking platform in EMEA, SMBC Group has an international growth agenda and award-winning products, meaning we provide exciting opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects and initiatives. We deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers as well as investment banking and advisory services, and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets. Read on to find out how you could enhance your skills and gain valuable experience, by joining us to support our clients transition to a sustainable future.

Role Summary

We are looking for a Head of Regulatory Affairs (Director) to join our team! The role will help lead and maintain effective relationships with UK regulators. This is a one year secondment opportunity as the Head of Regulatory Affairs in the UK. In this role you will:

  • Be a Subject Matter Expert in UK regulatory engagement for the benefit of senior management, internal committees, major enterprise-wide projects and offices across the EMEA region. 
  • Responsible for providing advice on regulatory engagement strategy to senior management. 
  • Responsible for the timely and accurate submission of regulatory returns.

For you to succeed in the role, you’ll need to have:

  • Strong knowledge of PRA Rulebook and FCA Handbook is required as well as understanding the supervisory approaches and assessment processes of each UK regulator.
  • Strong communication and coordination skills in order to achieve a consistent approach to engaging with the regulators in the UK and as necessary across the EMEA Division including the preparation and/or review of regulatory communications, briefing of senior management, including Board and Management Committee members; and taking minutes at regulatory engagements. 

Business Area

The Compliance Department helps SMBC Group in EMEA to meet the expectations of our customers, regulators, colleagues and other stakeholders. Compliance assists with this by analysing regulation and enforcement trends and interpreting them into policies, standards and resources for everyone to use in their day-to-day activities.

The regulator requires regulated firms to have a compliance function with an appropriate number of technically knowledgeable staff who are suitably independent to perform their duties objectively in the best interest of the Group, its stakeholders and the financial markets even in the face of challenge and complexity.

All communications with regulators must be handled in a professional manner, this role is one of the small number of those identified with sufficient technical expertise to communicate with a regulator and/or provide the regulators with information outside of normal regulatory reporting.

Position Description

Internally, the role requires close collaboration with Senior Management and stakeholders across a broad range of departments; STPD Planning, STPD Legal, STPD Company Secretary, STPD SMR, STPD HRRMD, STPD F&C and in providing advice and input on regulatory matters.

 

Our role will allow you to:

  • Act as a Subject Matter Expert in Regulatory Affairs.
  • Maintain an effective, professional and proactive relationship with UK regulators and assist the Local Compliance Officers in dealing with their regulators in the EMEA.
  • Manage regulatory engagements such as meetings, teleconferences and visits. 
  • Coordinate with/respond to Head Offices on information required for JFSA and supervisory colleges.
  • Prepare briefings and materials appropriate to meet regulatory expectations.
  • Take accurate and succinct minutes of high standard noting down any actions.
  • Prepare committee papers and reports highlighting the key regulatory issues to senior management.
  • Review consultation papers and policy statements from UK and EU regulators to ensure the requirements can be assessed correctly and implemented in a timely manner.
  • Manage and develop the Regulatory Affairs Team members
  • Participate in other Compliance initiatives to share and expand knowledge

Competencies

Customer Focus
Driving Change
Driving Results
Embraces Diversity
Enterprise Leadership
Judgement and Decision Making
Risk Management
Strategic and Visionary
Trust and Integrity

What we offer

For all the expertise and experience you bring to help us make a difference, it’s only sustainable if we support you to build your career and be your best self so we offer competitive company benefits, centred around promoting positive well-bring and work-life balance. We also believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all team members perspectives and contributions are valued. Initiatives in place which promote a diverse and inclusive culture and healthy work life balance include hybrid working, Sport & Social Clubs and Diversity and Inclusion networks.

As an employee of SMBC you have access to a host of both useful and exciting benefit offerings. See below some of the benefits on offer to you:

  • Hybrid and flexible working 
  • Competitive paid leave days
  • Benefits to support your physical wellbeing, including private medical insurance and life and invalidity insurance 
  • Various policies to support your mental wellbeing, including a robust behavioural health network with counselling and coaching services  
  • Access a wide range of learning and development opportunities and career progression opportunities 
  • Ambitious remuneration package

So, if you like a challenge and want to continuously grow and develop in a role where you will be supported along the way by a dynamic and diverse team, apply today!!

 

We recognise our role as a bank to support social change and welcome all applications, including those from groups often under-represented in financial services. We value the uniqueness of professional and personal, backgrounds and perspectives as they play a vital role in continuing the sustainable growth of our organisation. We’ll ensure reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process are offered due to a disability or long-term condition whenever requested.  

 

About SMBC

A trusted partner for the long term
United by a sense of purpose towards our customers - to be a trusted partner for the long-term - and our universal banking platform in EMEA, we deliver a full suite of corporate finance products and solutions to our customers, including corporate, structured and trade finance, leveraged finance, loan market and treasury products. We can also provide investment banking and advisory services and a range of innovative solutions in global capital markets.
Find out more about what we do and who we are at https://www.smbcgroup.com/emea/careers