Head of Operations

Senior Leadership Opportunities – Compliance & Operations

London (Hybrid) | Specialty Insurance | Confidential Search

Sanderson King is supporting a well-backed international insurance group with the continued growth of one of its fast-scaling UK specialty insurance subsidiaries. As part of this expansion, the business is making two foundational senior hires to help build and scale critical functions.

These are hands-on leadership roles, ideal for individuals who enjoy joining during build mode, taking ownership from day one, and shaping best-in-class frameworks and processes in a growing, entrepreneurial environment.

This is a senior, hands-on role responsible for leading compliance across the UK and EU. The successful candidate will play a key role in building and embedding a strong regulatory and governance framework as the business scales.

• Ownership of FCA and EU regulatory compliance, including cross-border requirements
• Implementation and interpretation of Consumer Duty, SMCR, conduct rules and financial crime controls
• Development and enhancement of compliance policies, procedures and governance frameworks
• Advising senior stakeholders on regulatory matters, new products and distribution strategies
• Oversight of financial crime, AML/CTF, sanctions, PEPs and fraud controls
• Delivery of compliance training and promotion of a strong compliance culture
• Building and scaling a small compliance team over time

• Significant experience in a compliance leadership role within insurance
• Strong preference for background in MGA, specialty insurer, Lloyd’s, broker or small carrier environments
• In-depth knowledge of FCA regulation, Consumer Duty, SMCR and UK financial crime frameworks
• Experience with EU regulatory requirements and cross-border operations
• Proven track record in building or enhancing compliance frameworks in growing businesses
• Comfortable operating in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment
• Strong stakeholder management skills with senior leadership and regulators

This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimising global operational processes to support international growth and scalability.

• Ownership of day-to-day operational processes and strategic operational initiatives
• Working closely with technology teams to optimise systems, workflows and data infrastructure
• Vendor management, outsourcing agreements and contract administration
• Driving operational efficiency, scalability and profitability
• Supporting underwriting, finance and commercial teams with operational delivery
• Building and leading a high-performing operations function as the business grows

• Senior operations leadership experience within insurance or specialty financial services
• Strong preference for experience in MGA, specialty insurer, Lloyd’s, broker or small carrier environments
• Proven experience driving operational transformation and process improvement
• Track record of working closely with technology teams to improve systems and workflows
• Experience managing vendors, third-party providers and outsourcing arrangements
• Comfortable in a hands-on role with limited initial team support
• Experience scaling operations and building teams in a growth environment

• Join a fast-growing UK subsidiary of a well-backed international insurance group
• Be part of a build phase, with real influence over how key functions are designed and scaled
• Highly hands-on roles initially, with the opportunity to grow and structure teams
• London HQ with hybrid working (typically 3 days in office)
• Competitive and flexible salary packages (£80–120k+ depending on experience)
• Excellent exposure to senior leadership and international operations

These opportunities will particularly appeal to candidates who enjoy building from scratch, taking ownership, and playing a key role in scaling a specialty insurance platform.

To apply or have a confidential discussion, please contact: