Compliance Officer Job Description

Key responsibilities

• 📜 Develop and maintain policies: Create clear, practical procedures that align with legal obligations and internal standards. These set the foundation for how compliance is managed across the business.

• 🔎 Stay on top of regulations: Monitor changes in laws and industry rules, keeping the organisation informed and ready to adapt quickly when needed.

• 🧪 Conduct audits and assessments: Regularly review internal processes and controls to spot risks and recommend improvements that strengthen compliance.

• 🎓 Deliver staff training: Run sessions and create resources to ensure teams understand their responsibilities and feel confident navigating compliance requirements.

• 🛡️ Manage incidents: Investigate potential breaches or concerns, working with relevant teams to address issues promptly and maintain trust.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, Finance, or a related field: This provides a solid understanding of regulatory frameworks and organisational operations.

• Experience in compliance or risk management: Practical experience in monitoring regulations, conducting audits, and advising on compliance matters is highly valued.

• Knowledge of regulatory requirements: Familiarity with local and international laws relevant to the organisation’s industry helps ensure ongoing compliance.

• Analytical thinking: The ability to interpret legal information and assess risk contributes to effective decision-making and issue resolution.

• Communication and training skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for creating policies and delivering training across teams.

• Attention to detail: A meticulous approach to documentation, auditing, and policy creation helps identify risks before they become issues.

• Stakeholder engagement: The ability to influence and guide senior leaders and team members ensures policies are understood and followed.

• Tech expertise: Familiarity with compliance management software, audit tracking tools, and reporting systems supports efficient compliance operations.

• Problem-solving skills: The capability to address incidents calmly and professionally helps maintain trust and mitigate reputational risks.

• Discretion and integrity: Handling sensitive information with professionalism and confidentiality is critical to building trust in the role.

Career path and opportunities

Compliance professionals can grow into senior roles such as Compliance Manager, Risk and Governance Lead, or Chief Compliance Officer. Depending on the industry, there may be opportunities to specialise in areas like financial regulation, data privacy, or ESG compliance.
Career progression often involves broader risk oversight responsibilities, policy development, or regulatory advisory positions.

Related job titles

• Risk and Compliance Advisor
• Compliance Manager
• Regulatory Affairs Specialist
• Governance Officer
• Legal and Compliance Analyst
• Risk Analyst
• Internal Auditor
• Policy and Compliance Coordinator
• Ethics and Compliance Officer
• Assurance Specialist

Example job description

Job title: Compliance Officer

Job overview:
We’re looking for a sharp, proactive Compliance Officer to help us stay on the right side of the rules. You’ll play a key role in monitoring and maintaining our compliance with legal and internal standards—keeping things ethical, accountable, and low-risk. If you’ve got a strong eye for detail and a passion for governance, this one’s for you.

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain policies that meet legal and regulatory requirements
• Conduct internal audits and risk assessments to identify compliance gaps
• Lead training sessions to ensure teams understand their obligations
• Monitor regulatory changes and provide timely updates to leadership
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to improve compliance processes
• Investigate and report on potential compliance breaches

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business, or related discipline
• 3–5 years’ experience in a compliance or risk management role
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks relevant to the industry
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to analyse complex data and make informed decisions

Preferred qualifications:

• Professional certification (e.g., CCEP, CRCM, or equivalent)
• Experience working in fast-paced or highly regulated industries
• Track record of leading successful audits or regulatory reviews

Perks/benefits:

• Competitive salary and annual performance reviews
• Flexible working conditions with WFH options
• Access to legal and compliance training programs
• Paid volunteering days and community engagement leave
• Supportive, mission-driven team environment

Frequently asked questions

What does a Compliance Officer do?

A Compliance Officer makes sure a company is playing by the rules—whether it’s laws, regulations, or internal policies. They help the business stay ethical, responsible, and legally sound, which is super important for keeping trust and avoiding fines.

What are their key duties and responsibilities?

They monitor company activities to spot any compliance risks, develop policies to avoid those risks, and run training sessions to keep staff in the loop. If there’s a new regulation or law, they’re across it and guiding the company through what needs to change. They also investigate issues if something doesn’t seem right.

What makes a great Compliance Officer?

Attention to detail is their superpower. A great Compliance Officer is organised, analytical, and unafraid to speak up when something doesn’t look right. They’re also great communicators—able to turn complex legal language into practical advice that teams can actually follow.