Chief Compliance Officer — Michael Page

Full description

About Our Client Our client is a well-established international private bank with a strong presence in Switzerland and an international client base. The bank offers a dynamic and multicultural environment and is seeking an experienced Chief Compliance Officer to lead its compliance function from Geneva.

Job Description The Chief Compliance Officer leads the Compliance function by overseeing compliance, conduct and financial crime risks, ensuring that business activities remain within the Bank's risk appetite and regulatory expectations. The role requires a combination of deep Swiss regulatory expertise, international private banking experience and strong knowledge of cross-border wealth management activities, including exposure to Latin American, European and Middle Eastern markets and clients. Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement the Bank's compliance strategy and annual compliance plan, covering conduct risk, regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and reputational risk.
• Establish and maintain effective compliance oversight and control frameworks, ensuring compliance risks are appropriately identified, assessed, monitored and reported.
• Lead the development, implementation and enhancement of compliance policies, procedures, controls and governance frameworks.
• Advise senior management and the Board on regulatory requirements, emerging regulatory developments and their impact on the organization.
• Promote a robust compliance management framework, ensuring regular assessment and continuous improvement of compliance processes and controls.
• Act as the primary point of contact for regulators, auditors and other external stakeholders on compliance-related matters.
• Manage regulatory interactions, supervisory reviews and compliance-related information requests.
• Partner with business and support functions to ensure compliance considerations are embedded into key processes and decision making.
• Foster a strong compliance culture through effective communication, training and awareness initiatives across the organization.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory developments and best practices to ensure ongoing enhancement of the compliance framework.
• Oversee compliance reporting, escalation processes and committee governance, ensuring appropriate oversight and transparency.
• Lead, develop and mentor a high-performing compliance team.

The Successful Applicant

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Law, Business Administration, Economics, Finance or a related discipline.
• Professional compliance certifications such as ICA, ACAMS, CAS Compliance Management or equivalent are considered advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience within banking and financial services.
• Proven experience in a senior compliance leadership role within private banking, wealth management or international banking.
• Strong leadership and team management experience.
• Experience with Swiss regulatory frameworks and international private banking activities.
• Exposure to Middle Eastern markets and clients is advantageous.
• Extensive experience managing regulatory interactions and supervisory reviews.
• Demonstrated experience leading compliance transformation, remediation or regulatory change initiatives.
• Strong understanding of cross-border compliance risks, wealth management structures, family offices and international clients.

Skills

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior management, regulators and auditors.
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Strategic mindset with sound judgement and decision-making skills.
• Ability to thrive in an international and multicultural environment.
• Fluent English and French are mandatory.
• Spanish is considered an advantage.
• Arabic is considered an asset.
• A legal background is beneficial but not essential. Candidates with relevant compliance, risk or banking qualifications and experience are encouraged to apply.

What's on Offer

• Competitive compensation package.
• Hybrid working model with one day of home office per week.
• Opportunity to lead the compliance function of an international private banking institution.
• Exposure to a diverse international client base and cross-border wealth management activities.

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