Senior Compliance Officer – Trust & Fiduciary Services
Job Type: Full-time
Location: Bristol, UK (Hybrid working available)
Sector: Financial Services | Private Client | Trusts & Estates | Legal & Compliance
Salary: Competitive + Excellent Benefits
Are you an experienced Compliance professional seeking a new challenge within a fast-growing, independent trust company environment? We are working exclusively with a prestigious and privately owned UK trust services firm that is expanding rapidly following a number of high-profile acquisitions across the sector.
About the Company (Client Confidential)
This specialist UK-based trust services firm has gone from strength to strength since its establishment in 2020, acquiring the trust divisions of several well-known private banks and financial institutions. With a leadership team boasting over a century of combined experience in the trust and fiduciary space, they currently act as trustee for over 5,000 UK trusts, managing close to £2 billion in assets.
The business prides itself on delivering excellence through its diverse, knowledgeable team – composed of legal, tax, trust, and philanthropy professionals – in a positive and collaborative working environment.
The Opportunity
Due to continued growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Compliance Officer to join their Risk & Compliance team in Bristol. This is a key hire within a specialist, close-knit team, offering genuine responsibility and visibility across the firm.
You will play a critical role in shaping and enhancing the compliance monitoring framework, advising the business on regulatory matters, and helping ensure the firm continues to meet and exceed its obligations under FCA and other regulatory frameworks.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conducting risk-based compliance monitoring reviews aligned with the firm’s Compliance Monitoring Plan
- Supporting the development and improvement of compliance monitoring procedures
- Providing regulatory advice across the business on new and existing obligations
- Assisting in the review and implementation of compliance policies and procedural documents
- Horizon scanning for regulatory developments and evaluating their impact on operations
- Performing client due diligence (CDD), including review of ID&V for individuals and corporate entities
- Supporting New Business sign-off and high-risk jurisdiction monitoring
- Producing clear, detailed monitoring reports and ensuring action plans are tracked and closed
- Assisting with ad-hoc compliance projects under the direction of the Head of Risk & Compliance
Ideal Candidate Profile:
✅ Minimum 6 years’ compliance experience, ideally within:
- FCA regulated firms (e.g. private client, wealth, trust companies)
- Trust or estate administration environments
- SRA regulated legal practices
✅ Proven expertise in compliance monitoring or audit (minimum 3 years)
✅ Degree-educated with excellent written and verbal communication skills
✅ Strong organisational and time management abilities
✅ Self-starter with high attention to detail and a calm, pragmatic mindset
✅ Excellent stakeholder engagement and interpersonal skills
✅ Comfortable working independently and collaboratively across teams
✅ Familiar with Microsoft Office and compliance systems
Desirable Experience:
- Prior involvement in designing and evolving a Compliance Monitoring Plan
- Exposure to trusts, estates, or high-net-worth private client environments
- Previous experience within a fast-growing or acquisitive business
What’s On Offer:
- Highly competitive salary (depending on experience)
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Flexible/hybrid working options
- Supportive, down-to-earth team culture
- Rare opportunity to join a truly independent UK trust company in growth mode
Location:
This role is based in modern, central offices in Bristol, with flexible hybrid working arrangements available