Head of European Compliance

Job Description

Location Overview

The Cboe office in London is situated in The Monument Building, a modern space that spans two floors and features a spacious outdoor balcony. From the balcony, employees can enjoy stunning views of some of London's most iconic architectural landmarks, adding a unique touch to the work environment. The building is equipped with convenient amenities for office commuters, including bike storage and showers, making it easy for staff to freshen up after their commute. Its prime location in the heart of London's financial district ensures that employees have easy access to a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops, creating an ideal balance of work and leisure.

The office is located directly adjacent to the historic Monument to the Great Fire of London and is just across the street from the Monument Underground Station. This provides convenient transport links, with access to the West End in less than 15 minutes. The location blends the vibrancy of central London with the business-centric atmosphere of the City, making it an attractive hub for professionals. This role will also require regular travel to Cboe's Amsterdam office to support the Netherlands Compliance team.

Role Overview

Cboe Europe is seeking a Head of European Compliance to lead and integrate its Compliance function across the UK and the Netherlands, covering Cboe Europe Limited (CEL), Cboe Chi-X Europe Limited (CCE), Cboe Europe B.V. (CEBV) and Cboe Europe Indices B.V. (CEIBV). This is a newly created, senior second-line leadership role, created following an independent review of the European Compliance framework, and is central to maturing that framework

You will bring together previously separate UK and Netherlands Compliance teams into a single, strategically-led function, ensuring Compliance operates as a demonstrably independent second line of defence as first-line ownership of regulatory implementation is strengthened elsewhere in the business. This is a high-visibility role with direct exposure to the RDC, ARCC and the Boards of Cboe's European regulated entities, and the opportunity to shape a growing, multi-jurisdictional Compliance function from the ground up. The role reports on a dual basis to the SVP, Head of European Equities (business leadership) and the SVP, Chief Compliance Officer, Cboe Global Markets (functional Compliance oversight), reflecting both its regional accountability and its place within the Group's Compliance reporting line.

Your responsibilities will be:

◆ Lead and strategically direct the combined UK and Netherlands Compliance function, optimising the capabilities of all team members and enabling staff to work across both jurisdictions with appropriate training.

◆ Ensure Compliance operates as a demonstrably independent second line of defence, with a clear delineation between first-line ownership of regulatory implementation and Compliance's role as adviser, reviewer and challenger.

◆ Own and mature the Compliance Risk Assessment (CRA) and Compliance Monitoring Programme (CMP), ensuring the CRA becomes the principal driver of Compliance planning and assurance activity, and that CRA/CMP outputs are reviewed by Compliance leadership.

◆ Reposition and own the Compliance Manual and Rulebook as the overarching governance documents for the Compliance function.

◆ Establish the authoritative hierarchy of Group and local policies and procedures, resolving day-to-day compliance queries from the business and delivering a compliance training programme across Cboe Europe.

◆ Develop Compliance management information (MI) and key risk indicators (KRIs) that provide the RDC, ARCC and entity Boards with an appropriate degree of assurance over the control environment.

◆ Oversee delivery of the firm's financial crime risk assessment and ensure AML governance arrangements are supported by documented evidence of how financial crime risk has been assessed.

◆ Act as Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) for Cboe Europe's UK regulated entities and oversee the equivalent AML/CTF officer function for the Netherlands entities, maintaining ongoing oversight of the firm's AML and KYC framework.

◆ Oversee Compliance review and sign-off of external-facing communications, including marketing materials, press releases and trading notices, prior to release.

◆ Provide regulatory and compliance input into the firm's Risk Register and the Financial Risk Assessment process.

◆ Complete a full resource and skills gap assessment for the integrated team, including succession planning, and align the function to regulatory expectations regarding responsibilities and reporting lines.

◆ Drive the Compliance function's with structured monitoring and testing, formal issue-management and remediation processes, dashboards and automation of regulatory change management.

◆ Sit on the firm's internal regulatory committee (the RDC), and represent Compliance at the ARCC and the Boards of Cboe Europe Limited, Cboe Chi-X Europe Limited and Cboe Europe B.V, engaging directly with the FCA, AFM and ESMA as required.

Travel requirement: approximately 20% of time, primarily between the London and Amsterdam offices.

The ideal candidate has

◆ Significant senior compliance leadership experience at a trading venue, exchange, or other regulated financial services firm operating under FCA and/or AFM/ESMA oversight.

◆ A strong working knowledge of European market structure regulation (including MiFID II/MiFIR, EMIR and DORA), the FCA Handbook (in particular MAR, SYSC and SUP) and AML/KYC guidelines and processes, and of operating a risk-based Compliance framework aligned to a three-lines-of-defence model. Knowledge of the rules applicable to MTFs or Recognised Investment Exchanges would be an advantage.

◆ Proven experience building or integrating compliance teams across multiple jurisdictions, with the gravitas to operate as an independent second-line voice at Board and committee level.

◆ A track record of developing Compliance MI, KRIs and monitoring/testing programmes that provide credible, evidenced assurance to senior governance forums.

◆ Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to constructively challenge the first line while maintaining collaborative working relationships across the business.

◆ Minimum of 10 years' relevant compliance or regulatory experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity.

◆ A relevant professional qualification (e.g. ICA Diploma, CISI) and degree-level education, or equivalent experience.

Any communication from Cboe regarding this position will only come from a Cboe recruiter who has a @cboe.com email or via LinkedIn Recruiter. Cboe does not use any other third party communication tools for recruiting purposes.