Head of Compliance

As a Head of Compliance you are responsible for ensuring that your organisation operates fully within the legal and regulatory frameworks set by bodies such as the Central Bank of Ireland, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, or sector-specific regulators. You own the compliance plan, oversee internal audits, and lead a team of compliance officers and analysts who monitor day-to-day adherence to policies and legislation. You act as the primary point of contact between your organisation and regulatory authorities, managing inspections, submissions, and ongoing reporting obligations. You work closely with senior leadership, legal counsel, risk management, and business unit heads to embed a culture of compliance across the organisation. Your role requires you to keep pace with evolving Irish, EU, and international regulation — from GDPR and MiFID II to AML directives and Central Bank guidelines.

A postgraduate qualification is typically expected at this level; a master's degree (NFQ Level 9) in law, compliance, finance, risk management, or a related discipline is the most common route. Useful undergraduate foundations include an Honours Bachelor (NFQ Level 8) in law, business, finance, or accounting from institutions such as UCD, TCD, UCC, University of Galway, or TU Dublin. Professional qualifications such as the Certified Bank Director programme, the Association of Compliance Officers in Ireland (ACOI) qualification, or International Compliance Association (ICA) diplomas are highly valued and often expected by Central Bank regulated firms. A Leaving Certificate with strong results in subjects such as Accounting, Business, Economics, and Mathematics provides a solid academic grounding for undergraduate entry. Several years of progressive compliance experience are essential before reaching Head of Compliance level, and the Central Bank of Ireland's Fitness and Probity regime requires formal approval for certain senior roles. Continuous professional development is an ongoing expectation given the pace of regulatory change.