Head of Risk & Compliance | DEVA Capital | London

Head of Risk & Compliance | DEVA Capital | London

Country: United Kingdom

IT STARTS HERE

Deva-SAI is the Real Estate and Corporate Capital Solutions investment arm within Santander Alternative Investments (SAI). The platform manages €1.6bn across Real Estate Equity, Real Estate Debt, and Corporate Capital Solutions, with €1.3bn deployed (c.€1bn since 2023) across more than ten countries. The team comprises 50+ professionals across London, Madrid, and New York with deep experience structuring, underwriting, and managing complex investments across Europe.

Deva is part of Santander Alternative Investments, the Group’s €10bn alternatives platform supported by over €4.4bn in co-investment from Santander Group. This includes private credit, real assets, infrastructure, private equity, and GP stakes.

SAI forms part of Santander Asset Management (SAM), a €255bn global asset manager operating across 10 countries and with more than 50 years of experience. SAM combines the best of complementary worlds, technology and expertise, to provide optimal solutions for clients. We deliver a simple, innovative and transparent service with a sole objective: offer our clients a comprehensive range of products with the right balance between risk and return.

Our behaviours underpin everything we do; we think clients, embrace change, act now, move together and speak up.    

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Head of Risk and Compliance to join us in our London Office.

The Head of Risk and Compliance will lead the UK risk and compliance framework, providing independent second-line oversight and advice to support the firm’s strategy, growth and regulatory obligations.

The role supports a UK-based alternative asset management business, ensuring effective oversight of regulatory, compliance and risk matters while maintaining alignment with Group frameworks.

Reporting to the UK CEO, with oversight from the Board and Global Risk and Compliance leadership, the role will also be responsible for developing a proportionate framework and supporting regulatory change, new business initiatives and strategic developments.

We’re shaping the way we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration and the freedom to explore new ideas. To succeed in this role, you will be responsible for:

• Lead the development and ongoing management of the UK entity’s risk and compliance framework, ensuring effective governance, oversight and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Support strategic business initiatives, regulatory change, fundraising activities and operational due diligence from a risk and compliance perspective.
• Lead financial crime compliance (AML/CTF, sanctions, ABC), with future responsibility for SMF17/MLRO.
• Act as the senior second-line risk and compliance lead, providing independent challenge and commercially pragmatic advice to the CEO, COO, Board and senior stakeholders.
• Oversee regulatory compliance, financial crime, conduct risk and governance arrangements, ensuring alignment with UK regulations, Group standards and investor expectations.
• Build and maintain a robust control environment, including risk assessments, compliance monitoring, reporting and escalation processes.
• Support the business in the launch and management of alternative investment strategies, including Real Estate and Infrastructure Credit, through effective risk and compliance oversight.
• Lead engagement with Group functions, external advisers and regulatory stakeholders, while supporting the firm's transition towards direct FCA authorisation.
• Promote a strong risk and compliance culture across the organisation through training, awareness and effective governance practices.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organisation. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Professional Experience

• Significant experience in a senior risk and/or compliance role within UK asset management, preferably within private markets or alternatives (Required)
• Good knowledge of alternative asset management business models, in particular Real Estate and/or Infrastructure Credit, including investment structures, funds, valuation, conflicts and investor considerations (Required).
• Strong understanding of the UK regulatory environment relevant to asset managers, including FCA expectations, governance, financial crime, conduct and compliance frameworks (Required).
• Experience building or enhancing proportionate second line frameworks in a growing business, including risk assessment, compliance monitoring, governance reporting and issue management (Required).
• Strong understanding of financial crime controls relevant to an asset management business, including AML / CTF, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, and suspicious activity escalation (Required).
• Experience of operating within, or alongside, a global group model with matrix reporting lines and Group policy frameworks (Preferred).
• Experience supporting regulatory authorisation, governance change or business transformation would be advantageous (Preferred).
• Prior approved person / SMF experience, particularly SMF16 and/or SMF17, would be advantageous (Preferred)

Education

• Degree or equivalent professional experience (Required).
• Relevant professional qualification in compliance, risk, legal, audit, financial crime or a related discipline is desirable (Preferred).
• AML / compliance / risk management qualifications desirable but not essential (Preferred).

Soft Skills

• Strong judgement, integrity and ability to balance commercial objectives with regulatory and risk management requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including policy drafting, Board reporting and presentation of complex issues in a clear and practical manner.

WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT

At Deva, your contribution matters. We recognise the difference you make every day, and we make sure you feel valued, supported and rewarded in return.

Here, recognition goes beyond pay. It’s about the pride you feel in your work, the impact you make for our clients, and the opportunities you have to grow and thrive — personally and professionally.

How we’ll reward you.

As well as a competitive salary, we offer a wide range of benefits that you can choose from and tailor to your needs.

• Eligible for a competitive discretionary performance-related annual bonus
• Hybrid ways of working providing flexibility to work from home 1 day per week (on average)
• We put 8% of salary into your pension, even if you don’t contribute yourself.
• 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Company funded private medical insurance for you.
• Free access to a range of digital health services, including GP.
• Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover.
• 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform including retailers, entertainment, eating out, travel and more.
• Voluntary healthcare benefits at discounted rates.
• Wellbeing that goes beyond work — we work with a range of wellbeing partners across our 4 pillars of wellbeing (physical, mental, social and financial) to give you access to a suite of apps, discounted gym and fitness access, weekly online classes, flexible healthcare and mental health support.
• Global growth opportunities to shape your career, learn new skills and explore what’s possible across our international network.

Ready to be recognised? It starts with you.

OUR COMMITMENT

At Deva, we’re proud to be an inclusive organisation that provides equal opportunities for everyone — regardless of age, gender, disability, civil status, race, religion or sexual orientation.

We’re committed to creating a recruitment experience that’s accessible, fair and welcoming for all candidates.

We want our people to thrive — at work and at home — while delivering the best outcomes for our customers and supporting each other to grow.

To make this possible, our roles are hybrid, with flexibility to work from home one day a week, on average.

When applying, please consider the travel distance, time and cost to your chosen office location(s).

Right to work in the UK

Every individual must have the right to work in the UK to commence employment with Deva either by way of nationality, visa or work permit. If you do require a working visa / permit this will not influence our decision on whether to progress your application. However, if you do not have a right to work, or an application for a working visa / permit is unsuccessful, Deva will not proceed with your application and will withdraw any conditional offer previously made.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.

If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through email. You can contact us at resourcing@santander.co.uk.