Compliance & Training Supervisor
About Benchmark
Our award-winning, proprietary solutions cover regulatory, platform and investment services, and are designed to support advisers at every step of their journey – from starting and running a financial advice business more productively and effectively, to accelerating its growth and realising its value.
We support high quality financial advisers with our award-winning technology and support services. And with our own Financial Advice business, we help families find solutions to meet their needs and aspirations and achieve peace of mind. By providing access to higher quality solutions, we make it easier for them to meet and exceed their goals.
Ensuring good client outcomes, with the client’s interests central to decision making, is very important at Benchmark. Treating Customers Fairly principles are embedded within our organisation and we take responsibility for embracing and promoting our duty of care to all clients, including those who may be more vulnerable than others.
The base
You'll be based at our Schroders Business Campus near Horsham in West Sussex. It has high standards and international reputation, without being in the city: a big, countryside campus means life will feel a little different. We support our offices by using cutting edge software and hardware and our spacious campus facilities mean there's a great working environment for the team. With an on-site restaurant, coffee shop and gym, our campus has much to offer. And commuters can relax on our dedicated regular shuttle bus to and from Horsham’s main line train station.
What you'll do
• Keep up to date with regulatory and industry developments
• Maintain a specified span of control of up to 40 Registered Individuals, managing and scheduling all aspects of oversight competently and within desired timescales
• Monitor AR firms, coaching and mentoring approved persons both remotely and on-site, to ensure compliance with both regulatory rules and Network procedures
• Liaise effectively with senior management in respect of regulatory and Network issues
• Assist the Compliance Director in providing a timely response to requests for information from the FCA
• Assist in making all appropriate notifications to the FCA
• Apply a risk-based and common-sense approach to the compliance monitoring process
• Undertake appropriate file reviews, ensuring that the findings are accurately recorded and handled appropriately so as to mitigate associated risks
• Undertake regular KPI reviews, ensuring that KPI data and management information in respect of AR firms is accurately recorded whilst identifying adverse trends/risks and reporting or handling them accordingly
• Test approved persons according to scheme requirements in respect of product knowledge and appropriate selling practices, and provide relevant feedback and training where necessary
• Test and supervise new joiners to AR firms, ensuring that supervision and formal sign-off procedures are applied as appropriate
• Ensure that financial promotions for member firms are approved in accordance with the FCA rules, whilst aiding firms in interpreting and applying the regulatory guidelines on advertising
• Take on tasks and projects as delegated by the Compliance Director/Compliance Manager, applying a can-do attitude and a timely approach to work outside that of an individual span of control
• Complete tasks to a high standard and apply initiative to accommodate for wider issues.
The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need
• Detailed knowledge of FCA rules and their interpretation/application
• Ability to train and motivate others whilst remaining flexible/adaptable
• Highly developed analytical, observational and communication skills
• Minimum of level 4 Diploma in regulated financial planning (or equivalent), with significant progress towards the achievement of further qualifications desired
• Significant compliance experience within the financial services, preferably in an investment or insurance environment.
• An in-depth understanding of FCA/PRA regulatory expectations.
• Experience working within a network of Financial Advisers
The knowledge, experience and qualifications that will help
• L6 Advanced Diploma working towards Chartered Status
• J07 Supervision in a Regulated Environment
• Specialist qualifications:
• Equity Release/lifetime mortgages – ER1 & HR1 or equivalent.
• Occupational pensions – Combination of J04, J05 & AF3 or equivalent.
• Long Term Care – CF8
• Mortgages - CeMAP/MAQ/CF6
• Single share-based investments – L4 diploma + IMC or securities gap fill
We're looking for the best, whoever they are
Our purpose is to provide excellent client outcomes and service. Diversity of thought facilitated by an inclusive culture will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer: you are welcome here regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or any other protected characteristics.