Compliance Acquisition Officer

Purpose of the Role This exciting opportunity has arisen to join a growing Risk & Compliance (R&C) Team working from home but with travel to sites that may include overnight stays as business needs require. Reporting to the Head of Compliance Acquisitions & MGA, you will be part of a team independent of segment line management to fulfil the obligations for the second line of defence. In undertaking second line activity, you will be responsible for due diligence in respect of acquisition targets focusing on regulatory and compliance workstreams, in relation to its requirements to comply with relevant regulations, internal policies and business standards, as well as delivering fair customer outcomes. Your work will be in accordance with our M&A Framework as required by the M&A Policy and Acquisitions Business Standard. Professional judgment will be used during due diligence in order to understand the material regulatory risks that an acquisition target may present. What you will do This is an overview and not an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Collaborating with your line manager, you will develop your own objectives but focus on all of the following: Undertake due diligence activity in accordance with Ardonagh Advisory’s M&A Framework and relevant Policies and Business Standards which will vary on a case by case basis depending on the nature, scope and scale of the acquisition target, including: Planning, agree dates of site visits to acquisition targets and obtain their engagement, data collation and analysis, undertaking control walkthroughs, timely production of findings for review by the Head of Compliance Acquisitions. Due diligence ‘fieldwork’; sample selection and testing, interviewing staff, obtaining sufficient and appropriate evidence to support findings, documenting findings and proposed remedial actions; Reporting; provision of feedback to business stakeholders, timely production of high-quality reports summarising the findings and remedial actions identified for review by the Head of Compliance Acquisitions; and Provide advice to M&A colleagues on compliance-related concerns, including how to accurately address red flags discovered during the due diligence process. Timely escalation of matters arising/identified, particularly those which would be rated ‘Medium/High/Critical’, to the Head of Compliance Acquisitions; Accurately logging information from the due diligence activity at key stages of each acquisition project; Actively contribute to the achievement of team goals/objectives, assimilating and embedding into the methodology and approach; To act in accordance with, and be an advocate for, Ardonagh’s Code of Conduct. Collate and organise confidential data and documents relating to target acquisitions, financial crime risks and conflicts of interest. Qualifications and Experience Audit/compliance experience essential in a financial services environment with a good knowledge and understanding of the insurance regulatory environment with emphasis on the application of principles, rules and requirements (e.g. GEN, PRIN, ICOBS, SYSC, etc). Experience of working in assurance/M&A focused roles, preferably in an insurance setting. Relevant professional and/or audit qualification preferred (e.g. ACA, ACCA and/or other relevant professional qualification). This is an opportunity for a detailed orientated, organised, individual who is able to interpret, analyse and evaluate data whilst prioritising workload and meeting deadlines in a dynamic and ever changing environment. You will need to be able to work with and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, work well under pressure to meet tight deadlines and use your initiative but be a team player. You will be managing confidential or sensitive matters at times so you will need to be able to deliver tough messages and act diplomatically and with tact. In return you will be welcomed and supported by our Ardonagh family and be joining an organisation that cares about you as a person and your wellbeing. Some of the other benefits are: Holiday entitlement of 26 days plus bank holidays Opportunity to progress your career across the entire Ardonagh family Award-winning learning & development offering and support to obtain professional qualifications to enhance your knowledge and career prospects Pension scheme for when you feel it’s time to retire 24-hour Employee Assistance support for you and your family’s physical and mental wellbeing Corporate perks such as discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, shopping, Eyecare vouchers, cycle to work and much more One day paid volunteering to give back to our communities Ardonagh Community Trust (ACT) - raising funds for charity with donation matching in your local community The Spotlight Awards, where we celebrate the best of the Ardonagh Group and all the bright talent across our business. We offer genuine potential for both personal and professional development, come and be part of our story and help us shape our future. So, what are you waiting for? Apply today and one of our team will be in touch. Ardonagh Group is an equal opportunities employer, and we are committed to a working environment that is free from discrimination, is inclusive, and empowers our people to bring their whole self to work and reach their full potential. If your application is successful, we will conduct relevant employment checks prior to you beginning employment with us. These will include verifying your recent employment, address, credit history and a standard criminal record check. Please note: We may close a vacancy prior to the publish end date if the required quality or number of applications has been received. No agencies please. Why not check us out on LinkedIn to find out what life’s really like at Ardonagh. The Ardonagh Group is one of the UK’s largest independent brokers with over 9000 dedicated and passionate professionals across the country, and worldwide, facing and dealing with our clients’ challenges, offering an enviable range of products, services and solutions to their clients. We are progressive, passionate and proud of the work we do, across all sectors of the business. Therefore, we need highly capable people to join our team to make this a reality! So if this sounds like you, and you are looking for a new challenge where you can learn and develop your career, then this could be a great opportunity for you.