What does this job entail?
Compliance is a crucial element of our corporate culture. It’s how we make sure we do business fairly, honestly and ethically, following regulations not just in spirit, but to the letter. As our Compliance Adviser for Financial Markets, you—together with your colleagues—oversee this for KBC Bank.
Would you like to know more about Compliance at KBC?
The role of compliance has become even more important in recent years as rules and regulations in Europe have become stricter and more complex. Supervisors are carrying out checks that demand increasingly high levels of performance.
In fact, quite a few very large banks have had to pay heavy fines and suffered damage to their reputation after being found to have infringed the rules and regulations. Needless to say, we wish to avoid that.
As Compliance Advisor, you fulfil two important roles:
1) Advising business stakeholders, supporting them with training, and creating awareness in our organisation in relation to compliance themes.
2) Checking whether the regulations are being effectively respected.
Within Group Compliance, there are various technical units responsible for specific aspects of the regulations:
• Our Financial Markets Unit focuses on the protection of investors and policyholders and the prevention of market abuse.
• Colleagues in other technical units are responsible for privacy and consumer protection, corporate governance, prevention of fraud, and battling against the laundering of money and financing of terrorism, while ensuring embargoes are respected.
What do we expect from you?
● You make sure that KBC Bank (and Bolero and Securities Services in particular) comply with all regulations in relation to financial market activities. With you on the job, the interests of our clients are always protected.
● You provide advice in relation to projects, in ad hoc situations and in the formal product-approval process.
● You’re responsible for the interpretation and translation of national and European regulations for clear internal rules that are made available throughout the KBC Group, and for the analysis of the impact made by changes to the regulations for financial markets.
● You’re open to consulting with the business on how to apply the regulations. This makes it possible to take into account the specific circumstances in which the rules need to be applied.
● You work intensely with the Monitoring Officers on the performance checks and controls to ensure the regulations are correctly applied in practice. Together, you draw conclusions from the results of these checks and controls.
● You take the initiative when it comes to increasing internal company awareness of external regulations for financial markets. How? Examples may include training courses, e-learning sessions and your active presence at relevant meetings.
● You perform checks and controls on the implementation of elements of the regulation in entities outside Belgium.
● You still put the customer first, making sure we conform to regulations:
o through an honest, fair and professional way of performing, and clear, correct communication that is never misleading;
o by applying the code of conduct for the provision of investment services, carrying out orders that give the client the most beneficial conditions, and management of conflicts of interest;
o by putting adequate policy rules and procedures in place to guarantee that our responses are of the highest standard and we work to assert the general efficiency of the financial system.
Your key strengths?
● You have a master’s degree, preferably in a legal and/or economic field.
● You have a thorough knowledge of relevant regulations (MiFID, MiCAR, ECSPR, etc.).
● You’re fascinated by subjects such as investor protection, the way in which financial markets function, and the different types of financial instruments.
● You communicate fluently in Dutch and particularly in English, whether written or spoken.
● You enjoy working with colleagues from different departments in a constructive manner. You do this without losing sight of your independence.
● You’re pragmatic and flexible. You take changes in your stride.
● You have a curious nature. Perseverance comes naturally to you.
What can we offer you?
● Count on a lot of variation and intellectual challenge. You’re committing yourself to an ethical cause. And that’s satisfying.
● We are a very complementary, results-driven team. We pay a lot of attention to sharing information, open and honest communication, and helping each other.
● You’ll receive a permanent contract and a competitive salary. You can also choose from a range of extralegal benefits.
● Our offices are easily accessible by public transport. You’re also welcome to partly work from home.
● Thanks to flexible working times, you can align your work life with your private life. That is one of the reasons that KBC received its third consecutive Top Employer certificate in 2023. As for the other reasons? We will happily discuss them with you at your interview.
Can you help us make the difference?
At the Financial Markets Unit in Group Compliance, you’re part of a highly driven and diverse environment. Surrounded by lovely colleagues, you’re involved in challenges and innovative projects. You get complete trust as an advisor in these projects, ensuring that at the end of the day, you genuinely feel that you’ve had an influence on the entire group.
Liesbet, Compliance Advisor Financial Markets
Respect and inclusion are core values at KBC. We believe that the individuality of our employees and the diversity of our teams are key to achieving great things. That’s why we recruit new employees based on talent and motivation, regardless of their background or story.
We work closely together to be the reference in the financial sector by innovating, greening and connecting. Interested in joining a ‘Top Employer’ and contributing to new ideas and solutions that help our customers and society move forward?
If this ticks all your boxes, apply now so we can get to know you. And if there are any specific things you’d like us to consider in your application, please let us know. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
