Director - Compliance Advisory (Fixed Term Contract)

London, England, United Kingdom

6/27/2025

Since 2015, we’ve backed entrepreneurs with over £13bn in funding, helping create 56,000+ jobs and 34,000+ new homes across the UK and US. We’re dedicated to helping trailblazing businesses thrive and our Risk & Compliance team are integral to our growth.

Are you a compliance pro who can roll up your sleeves, cut through the noise, and give advice that helps push OakNorth forward? We’re looking for a Director, Compliance Advisory who doesn’t just know the rulebook – but knows how to use it with purpose.

You’ll be leading the Compliance Advisory function across OakNorth Bank. You'll bring strategic thinking and a hands-on attitude to a growing and successful business that supports the front-line, keeps us sharp with regulation, and makes compliance a true business partner. This role is a maternity cover fixed term contract, with initial duration to last 9 months.

Are you ready to step up to the challenge?

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Compliance Advisory team, acting as the go-to SME for business areas across the bank – specifically Personal Savings, Business Banking and Commercial Lending.
• Provide clear, pragmatic, risk-based compliance advice to all relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain and evolve the compliance advisory framework including horizon scanning, aligning it with the bank’s regulatory obligations, risk appetite, and commercial ambitions.
• Stay close to the business – embed yourself where needed, be seen and heard, and make compliance guidance accessible, not abstract.
• Support regulatory engagement where necessary.
• Be a positive and vocal influence to the wider Risk function and to the Bank as a whole.
• Deputise for the Head of Compliance when needed – presenting to senior committees, advising executives, and making strategic calls.
• Utilizing Generative AI: Leverage GenAI tools to increase productivity and enhance decision-making processes within the role.
  
  
  

Requirements:

• Deep compliance expertise within the UK banking environment – you know your SYSC from your SMCR, and your Consumer Duty inside out. Ideally you have US banking compliance knowledge too!
• Solid experience in compliance advisory roles, ideally with exposure to a wide range of banking products and services.
• A strong track record of stakeholder engagement – you can talk to the C-suite one minute and support a product owner the next.
• You’re a self-starter who’s comfortable working independently – but you’re just as comfortable rolling up your sleeves to help the team.
• You’re practical – not preachy. You can translate regulation into action and make advice stick.
• A strategic mindset – you see the big picture, anticipate change, and help the bank get ahead of the curve.
• Experience in leading others, even if not formally – you know how to elevate those around you.
  
  
  

Benefits & Perks:

• Equity. We want people to have a stake in the business so that all our interests are aligned.
• 25 days holiday
• Personalized benefits – opt-in to what matters to you
• Subsidised Private Medical Insurance with Bupa
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Wellbeing and social events
• In-house Barista Bar in London office
• Support causes that matter to you – Volunteering time off
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to work, nursery, gym, electric car scheme)