Governance and Compliance Senior Manager

Job Title: Governance and Compliance Senior Manager
Location: Hybrid Working London N3 / EC4M / Remote
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 35-hour week (Flexitime)
Reporting To: Chief Governance and Sustainability Officer

Salary Range: 70000 - 90000

About BKL

BKL is a Top 40 accountancy and advisory business supporting a diverse client base from entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals to ambitious owner-managed businesses and multinational groups. With a legacy spanning over 130 years weve evolved into a modern purpose-driven business that balances profit with impact.

We are proud to be a certified B Corp reflecting our commitment to sustainability transparency and responsible governance. As a member of DFK International we support clients locally and internationally with cutting-edge expertise and a personal touch.

We believe all clients deserve the same level of care innovation and excellence.

Your Opportunity

At BKL were committed to doing things the right way for our people and our clients.
The Governance & Compliance Manager is intended to support the firms ICAEWdesignated roleholders (Practice Assurance Principal Audit Compliance Partner Ethics Partner Bribery Officer and MLRO) by running the systems processes and controls that underpin regulatory compliance ensuring that our frameworks work in practice remain up to date and are consistently applied across the business.

This role ensures the governance and compliance engine room operates smoothly enabling senior statutory roleholders to focus on regulatory engagement judgement and signoff.

You will work with teams across BKL bringing clarity structure good judgement and a constructive mindset to help the firm continue to grow with confidence.

How Youll Make a Difference

In this role you will:

Regulation & professional standards

• Act as the operational lead for the firms regulatory calendar ensuring deadlines and obligations are tracked prepared for and met on time.

• Manage ICAEW annual returns forms and daytoday liaison preparing materials for review/signoff by the statutory roleholders.

• Coordinate internal reviews and audits including DPB Client Money and Probate ensuring evidence is gathered maintained and qualitychecked.

• Prepare regulatory readiness packs and documentation for ICAEW/FRC/DPB visits working closely with the statutory officers (PAP/ACP/Ethics Partner/Bribery Officer).

• Work with BKL CoSec on annual filings and keep our regulatory and legal structure information up to date.

Policies & procedures

• Own the policy lifecycle including drafting updating maintaining version control and coordinating publication and communication.

• Ensure policies reflect regulatory expectations and internal practice escalating gaps or risks to senior statutory roleholders.

• Carry out gap analyses and support training so teams understand how policies apply to their work.

• Oversee the Gifts & Hospitality policy and maintain the register.

Risk management

• Maintain the firmwide risk register coordinating inputs from departments and ensuring timely updates.

• Bring together risk information from across the business and develop a clear picture of emerging issues.

• Track riskmitigation actions and prepare summaries and insights for senior leadership and ICAEW roleholders.

• Support continuous refinement of our risk processes and reporting.

Data quality & Insight

• Collate and analyse governance and compliance data to spot trends issues and opportunities for improvement.

• Manage complaints logging analysis and rootcause review escalating regulatory concerns as needed.

• Prepare management information and governance insights for Board packs and senior leadership.

Governance strategy & continuous improvement

• Support the development and maintenance of BKLs governance and compliance framework ensuring systems registers logs and processes operate effectively.

• Track progress against governance measures escalate issues and ensure clear visibility for statutory roleholders.

• Work closely with Heads of Department to embed good governance into everyday practice.

• Provide clear and regular communication to keep the business informed and engaged.

M&A support

• Support governance and compliance due diligence during M&A activity.

• Lead governancefocused integration work to bring new teams smoothly into BKLs ways of working.

Project management

• Lead and coordinate governancerelated projects ensuring they are wellscoped wellplanned and delivered on time.

• Bring structure clear milestones and regular updates to multiteam initiatives.

• Work with project sponsors to identify priorities manage risks and keep work on track.

• Ensure changes are embedded effectively by aligning people processes systems and communication.

• Use a practical transparent approach to help teams understand what needs to be done and why.

Youll Be Ideal for This Role If You Have:

• Experience in governance compliance risk or quality roles (professional accountancy services experience is essential).

• Strong understanding of ICAEW environments and regulatory frameworks.

• Ability to act as the operational lead supporting statutory roleholders and preparing highquality materials for senior regulatory review.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn data into meaningful insight.

• Experience with contractual drafting and negotiation including supplier agreements and client terms desirable.

• Excellent written communication and the ability to create clear practical policies and reports.

• Confidence working with senior leaders and guiding teams through change.

• A constructive solutionsfocused approach and the ability to manage multiple priorities calmly and independently.

We know you have a lot to offer which is why we give you the freedom to thrive no matter who you are or what your background is.

Our Values

At BKL we live by five core values:

• Think Big Be curious brave and open to new ideas.

• In It Together Collaborate care and build an inclusive culture.

• Take Pride Strive for excellence and believe in your impact.

• Do the Right Thing Act with integrity honesty and fairness.

• Enjoy It Bring your whole self to work and have fun doing it.

Working With Us: Your Benefits Wellbeing & Development

At BKL were committed to creating a people-first workplace where everyone can thrive. We offer a carefully curated benefits package wellbeing support and meaningful development opportunities that empower you to grow your career.

Snapshot of our Benefits Package

Weve designed a flexible sustainable set of benefits to support your life at work and beyond:

• Private Medical Insurance (PMI) including mental health cover hospital treatment & 24/7 GP access

• Health Cash Plans covering everyday costs like dental optical & physiotherapy and an Employee Assistance Programme

• Pension scheme helping you save for retirement in a tax-efficient way

• Group Life Assurance peace of mind with financial protection for your loved ones

• Cashback & savings portal discounts across hundreds of high-street and online retailers

• Cycle to Work Scheme spread the cost of a new bike and accessories tax-free

• Electric Vehicle Scheme sustainable transportation options that include roadside support and servicing

• Free Mortgage Advice expert guidance for your home-buying journey

• Season Ticket Loan support with travel expenses

• Enhanced Family Leave generous leave policies for family-related needs

• Holiday Entitlement generous entitlement which increases with promotion

Development & Growth

We dont just offer jobs we support careers:

• Clear development pathways and progression frameworks

• Professional qualifications support including study time and funding

• Internal mentoring coaching and buddying schemes

• Leadership development programmes to help you grow with us

• Regular check-ins and performance conversations driven by your goals not just metrics

Take Your Next Step

Ready to grow your career with a company that balances ambition with purpose Apply today and discover how far you can go at BKL.

Our recruitment process typically involves three stages:

1. An introductory Teams call with our Talent Acquisition team.

2. A first-stage interview with two team members.

3. A final interview at our London office including a tour to give you a feel for our working environment.

Compliance & Equal Opportunities

In addition to the responsibilities listed above you will be required to undertake GDPR training in order to fully understand the regulations and ensure all work is carried out in a compliant manner.

As part of any recruitment process BKL collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. BKL is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.

BKL is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates eligible to work in the UK.

We know you have a lot to offer which is why we want to give you the freedom to thrive no matter who you are or what your background is. You will have every opportunity to use your creativity in how you approach your work and the support to innovate.

Inclusion diversity and talent development are a fundamental aspect of who we are and we welcome applications from candidates who share and champion these values. You will play an integral part in helping to make BKL a great place to work with a sense of belonging for everyone.

High challenge high support

If you enjoy problem-solving and a fast-changing environment you will thrive in this role.

As in all BKL roles you will be able to take a flexible approach: balancing independent work with teamwork and remote working with time in the office with colleagues.

You can get an insight into life at BKL here.

Were proud to be one of the few Certified B Corporations in the accountancy joining us youll become part of a business thats committed to balancing profit and purpose.

Take your next step

If this sounds like the role for you wed be delighted to discuss the career you could build at BKL.

By applying you consent to the processing of your personal data for recruitment purposes in line with UK GDPR. Your information will be used securely only for recruitment and wont be shared without your consent. For details see our Privacy Policy - BKL