Head Compliance Private Clients

The Head Compliance Private Clients will oversee compliance activities for the wealth management division of a leading private bank with headquarters in Switzerland and operations across the European Union. This senior leadership role reports to the Head of Legal & Compliance Advisory and will lead compliance teams based in Switzerland and Germany and manage contractors in Italy and Dubai. The incumbent is responsible for both strategic guidance and business-as-usual (BAU) compliance functions, ensuring robust controls and fostering a culture of compliance within a global, dynamic environment.

What would your role be?

Lead and develop a team of experienced compliance officers based in Switzerland and Germany, and foster cross-border collaboration, continuous professional development, and regulatory awareness across all teams, and the effective implementation of our Group Compliance framework

Provide expert guidance on Swiss, EU, and other international regulatory frameworks impacting wealth management, including interpreting and communicating requirements and cross-border rules relevant to private banking.

Identify and assess the impact of new or updated regulatory requirements and provide clear and tailored advice to relevant Boards, senior management, and stakeholders, as well as ensure that policies and procedures are fully aligned with applicable regulatory requirements, best practices, and the Group’s standards, and communicate this effectively to staff assessments of cross-border transactions and communications

Advise business and marketing teams on the compliant promotion of banking products and services across jurisdictions, ensuring adherence to private banking rules, ESG, local solicitation, licensing, and client protection regulations, while conducting ongoing risk

Ensure that rigorous suitability assessments and controls are in place for client onboarding and product offering, covering wealth management advice, transactions, and discretionary management activities.

Develop and maintain a strong compliance control environment, including regular risk assessments and control testing. The role involves enhancing breach detection and escalation processes, ensuring effective remediation, and reporting regularly to senior management, regulatory bodies, and relevant committees.

Oversee investigations of compliance breaches, manage remediation actions, and ensure proper documentation and reporting

Maintain a robust and constructive relationship with key regulatory bodies, including FINMA, as well as with external and internal auditors

Ensure that critical compliance-related matters are appropriately escalated to senior management in a timely manner

What are we looking for?

A minimum of 8 years of experience in a senior leadership role preferably within an international private banking environment, with a strong focus on regulatory compliance in Switzerland and the EU.

Strong understanding of suitability, conflicts of interest, marketing compliance, cross border, ESG, and control framework.

Proven experience in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust compliance frameworks (incl. creating and implementing policies, procedures, controls and risk assessments)

Strong sense of integrity and ethics, as well as organizational and analytical skills

Recognized as a reliable and trusted partner by both first and second lines of defence, as well as by external service providers

Proven leadership skills, with a commitment to fostering the development and growth of team members and a strong collaborative teamwork, and track record in managing multi-jurisdictional teams and contractors.

Proficiency in German and English; verbal and written communication skills in French and Italian are an advantage

Advanced degree in Law, Finance or a related field

What do we offer?

Top Zurich location with collaboration spaces and free lunch.

All the latest technology to help you excel and advance.

Agile environment in how we think, the way we work and our trust for each other.

Lots of special perks, including home office possibility up to 20%.

Flat hierarchy with collaboration at all levels.

Campus feeling and a collaborative spirit.

We are looking for talented people, not just a CV that ticks all the boxes. Even if you do not have absolutely everything we have asked for, if this role sounds like a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply.

Why Vontobel?

At Vontobel, you are building better futures for our clients and society, as well as for yourself. As a family-owned and publicly listed company with over 2,000 professionals based in 28 locations globally and headquartered in Zurich, we’re committed to long-term thinking and sustainability.

Our diverse team values unique perspectives, and we hire individuals determined to deliver in a dynamic and changing world. Even if you don’t meet all the criteria, we encourage you to apply if you’re enthusiastic about the role.

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