the client is seeking a Head of Compliance to strengthen leadership and governance within an insurance environment. This role will oversee the implementation and management of compliance obligations required by regulators, ensure ongoing updates on legal and regulatory changes in collaboration with internal legal functions, and translate regulations into clear internal policies and operating instructions. The Head of Compliance will also support guidance for business and management, particularly when new strategic initiatives are introduced, while promoting a strong compliance culture and ensuring staff training and awareness.
The Head of Compliance will establish and maintain a compliance risk assessment framework, including identification, evaluation, and monitoring of compliance risks, and will create and carry out an annual risk-based compliance plan focused on key regulatory risks. Responsibilities include monitoring adherence to compliance policies and taking corrective actions such as training, communication, and appropriate sanctions, as well as following up on alerts from the compliance channel. The role will involve preparing reporting to internal and external stakeholders as needed and maintaining transparent relationships with supervisory authorities, coordinating regulatory interactions, and escalating major compliance issues to senior management or the board and relevant group and supervisory bodies where necessary.
The successful applicant will typically hold a master’s degree in law, finance, economics, auditing, or an equivalent field, along with at least ten years of relevant compliance-related experience. The role expects knowledge of the insurance business and applicable laws and regulations, experience or understanding of operational audit and risk management, and proven experience interacting with regulatory authorities in a regulated financial services context. The Head of Compliance should demonstrate strong integrity and independence of judgment, the ability to challenge senior stakeholders when required, and solid management and project management skills, with the capacity to operate effectively in an international context and communicate fluently in English plus Dutch or French at a minimum.