Vice President – Core Compliance Testing & Quality Assurance

Vice President – Core Compliance Testing & Quality Assurance - 6 month contract

A leading global financial institution is seeking a Vice President – Core Compliance Testing & Quality Assurance to join its EMEA Compliance Division based in London. This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to shape and enhance the firm’s second-line assurance framework, leading risk-based reviews, managing complex testing programmes, and driving continuous improvement across the compliance testing landscape. The successful candidate will oversee the delivery of a comprehensive testing and assurance programme across the EMEA region, ensuring the effectiveness of compliance controls and alignment with global regulatory expectations.

About The Department

The Compliance Testing and Quality Assurance function provides independent, risk-based assurance over the firm’s compliance framework. The team conducts targeted reviews, thematic assessments, and a quarterly robotic monitoring programme using advanced data analytics to assess the design and operational effectiveness of compliance controls across the first and second lines of defence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of compliance professionals across onshore and offshore locations, ensuring delivery of high-quality assurance work.
• Design, manage, and execute a risk-based compliance testing programme across EMEA business areas.
• Provide oversight on data analytics initiatives, including User Acceptance Testing (UAT), system training, and enhancements to automated monitoring tools.
• Progress the firm’s data analytics strategy, exploring innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence to enhance testing efficiency and coverage.
• Oversee governance and reporting for the compliance testing framework, including escalation of key metrics and findings to senior management committees.
• Strengthen offshore collaboration through regular engagement, identifying development opportunities and improving cross-location communication.
• Develop and implement best practice policies, standards, and procedures for testing and assurance.
• Engage with regulators, auditors, and internal stakeholders to demonstrate the firm’s robust testing and control framework.
• Manage regulatory inspections, internal audits, and assurance reviews, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of information.
• Partner with internal functions including Risk, Technology, Advisory, Financial Crime, and Data Governance to align assurance activities.
• Contribute to the department’s annual assurance plan, identifying emerging risks and key focus areas.
• Review and validate the work of junior staff, ensuring findings and recommendations are clearly articulated and risk-based.
• Coach, mentor, and support junior team members in stakeholder engagement and professional development.
• Represent the Compliance Testing function in internal committees and forums.

Essential Required Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in compliance testing, internal audit, or assurance within an investment bank, financial institution, consultancy, or regulatory environment.
• Proven track record in leading testing and assurance programmes within wholesale banking or similar sectors.
• Strong understanding of UK regulatory frameworks and familiarity with US and EU regulations.
• Expertise in risk and control frameworks and established testing methodologies.
• Experience managing teams and complex multi-jurisdictional reviews.

Preferred

• Exposure to data analytics tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA) or professional qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA).

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