Senior Compliance Advisory and Global Corporate Oversight

Senior Compliance Advisory and Global Corporate Oversight (DIR) Bernstein

Bernstein is widely recognized as a premier global equity research and brokerage firm, with a trading platform that spans the US, Europe, and Asia. Our research and trading capabilities are sought out by leading investment managers around the world, and we have a long history of our research receiving #1 rankings for overall quality and industry knowledge.

Research is our legacy and foundation. Our brand is defined by our Blackbooks, renowned for their in-depth quantitative forecasts and unmatched industry expertise. Our Research Analysts are thought leaders who typically have many years of direct experience in the industries they cover. Our reputation is for the very highest calibre of disciplined investment and industry analysis.

About the Team

Bernstein Société Generale Group is the Joint Venture (JV) established between Société Generale (SG) and Alliance Bernstein to provide high quality independent research in equity and cash equity execution services.    Bernstein Autonomous LLP (BA LLP) is the UK Operating Company and employing entity for the JV. 

 The Compliance Service Unit (CPLE) is responsible for the definition and consistency of the compliance risk prevention and control system, and for coordinating the framework aimed at preventing, identifying, assessing and controlling reputational risk.

 In conjunction with the Business Units and other Service Units (BU/SUs), CPLE performs the following tasks with respect to compliance risk:

·          Defining and implementing the overall normative framework of the Compliance service and monitors its implementation;

·          Defining procedures and implementing a framework to ensure compliance with respect to compliance risks;

·          Awareness-raising among BA LLP employees regarding compliance risk and the strengthening of the compliance culture

·          Mapping and analysing BA LLP compliance risk and general vigilance regarding issues likely to harm our reputation or that of one of its activities;

·       Performing the second-level control and supervision of the framework, including independently assessing compliance risk management within the entities/activities with a major impact on BA LLP risk profile, and individually with respect to regulated employees, in compliance with the applicable regulations;

·          Monitoring relations with supervisory and regulatory authorities, and representing the BA LLP and Société Générale Group to these authorities, not including supervisory and regulatory authorities where the Legal function (SEGL/JUR) organises and coordinates the monitoring of these relations, in particular the Autorite de Controle Prudentiel et de Resolution (ACPR) and the European Central Bank (ECB);

Summary of Key Purposes of the Role

Corporate Oversight and interaction:

·          With the JV RoW Head of Compliance, implement governance and processes to JV Row entities to apply appropriate standards to comply with the WSB Compliance Operational Oversight Rule Book.  Provide coordination with JV Compliance teams to centrally oversee the interaction and engagement with SG Group partners to provide the necessary support and coordination of appropriate compliance controls, management reporting, Code application to JV processes, Normative control governance, and 3LoD engagement.

 Compliance advisory:

·          Provision of pro-active regulatory advice and training to staff within BALLP/JV RoW relating to applicable regulations and compliance controls impacting the firm’s operations – the regulatory advice is a strong component of this function.

·          Advise and alert business leaders on key compliance and regulatory risks affecting their business areas, offering practical, timely solutions adapted to the business context to address and mitigate these risks as well as assisting business lines in the implementation of appropriate risk management solutions.

·          Identify potential areas of compliance/regulatory vulnerability and risk; develop/implement corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues; and draft, update and implement compliance procedures and guidance as necessary to avoid or deal with similar situations in the future. Leverage on and coordinate with other departments as necessary (such as the operational risk department) to achieve this objective.

·          Proactive collaboration with Management, Risk and Legal teams to identify, manage and address regulatory risks to ensure delivery of appropriate and proportionate controls and, where required, remedial actions.

Responsibilities

The main tasks relating to the role include:

·          Providing centralised global corporate oversight of engagement with Société Generale Group.  Collaborating and coordinating with regional CCO’s to ensure the interaction and engagement with SG Group partners to provide the necessary support and coordination of appropriate controls, Code application to processes, Normative control governance, management reporting and 3LoD engagement.

·          Proactively maintaining relationships and open communication with, and actively promoting Compliance within BA LLP business lines and other control functions.

·          Maintaining active awareness of latest new or upcoming regulatory changes and providing first line Compliance advice and guidance to BA LLP trading and research businesses, technology and operations teams to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, BALLP Compliance policies.

·          With BA LLP compliance colleagues, proactively maintain the compliance risk framework, ensuring that the inherent regulatory risks posed by business activity are determined, the mitigating factors are considered, and further mitigants are implemented to negate the residual risk.

·          Liaising with Bernstein and SG Compliance staff in Paris, New York and Asia as required, and providing guidance to Compliance colleagues on the interpretation of the FCA and EU regulatory regimes and the UK/EU based Exchange rulebooks which apply to staff based overseas who actively trade in UK/EU markets through Bernstein.

·          Active engagement and liaising with the Compliance surveillance team responsible for day-to-day transaction monitoring in relation to exchange enquiries and periodic Compliance Risk desk-based reviews of the firm’s Business Lines, ensuring appropriate support and guidance in the development of product knowledge within the Compliance Monitoring Team, and assisting the Monitoring Team with Desk Reviews and completion of enquiries arising from the routine monitoring.

·          8-10 years equities Compliance Advisory experience

·          Strong experience in Financial Markets – particular strengths in cash market activities clearing/settlement, normative control frameworks, SG governance and controls, would be an advantage

·          Good working knowledge of FCA and European regulatory requirements/standards

·          Critical eye and an analytical mind is essential

·          High capacity to adapt constantly

·          Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, confident when interacting with employees at all levels

·          Able to work in autonomy and in a proactive manner

·          Self-motivated with strong work ethic & desire to deliver to high standards

·          Team player across regions

·          Strong project management capability; planning work, meeting deadlines, multi-tasking, excellent organizational skills

People join for the impact they can have on us. They stay for the impact we have on them. A flatter structure offers visibility and exposure beyond that of our competitors, so you know our names, and we know yours. It's personable, human, and inspires success through passion. By encouraging open mindedness and a willingness to share ideas, we have adapted to market changes and thrived through innovation. Bringing words like “hard work” and “dedication” together with “community” and “respect” has enabled us to work collaboratively and build our future together. We call this Team Spirit and it's what makes us different. It's what makes you different.

If you feel you have the required experience and qualifications, then please apply to the SG Resourcing Team, and we will manage your application. At Société Générale, we believe our people are our strength and are core to the success of our business. As such, we search for, recruit and appoint the best available person on the basis of aptitude and ability, regardless of sex, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, pregnancy, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, belief or gender identity.