Chief Compliance Officer Hong Kong, Leading Insurance Group

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Senior Executive / Leadership Role
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Sizeable Compliance Function
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Expanding International Insurance Group
Our client is a leading international Insurance Group with a solid reputation for strong governance, disciplined risk management and a deeply embedded compliance culture. With diversified businesses spanning across Life, Health, Pension, Wealth and Asset Management, the organisation continues to invest in strengthening its regulatory capabilities and maintaining a best‑in‑class control environment. To support its ongoing commitment to operational integrity and regulatory excellence, the group is seeking a seasoned compliance leader to head its Hong Kong function and drive the next stage of its compliance and governance agenda.
The key responsibilities for this position are as follows:
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Manage the sizable Hong Kong Compliance function overseeing all compliance domains including AML/CTF, anti‑bribery, sanctions, FATCA/CRS, fraud prevention, privacy, distribution / conduct compliance, regulatory change, sales/marketing reviews, regulatory inspections and training.
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Monitor and oversee the business's compliance framework, ensuring processes detect, prevent and remediate non‑compliance.
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Ensure regulatory risks are effectively managed and policies, procedures and controls align with local regulatory requirements and global standards.
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Assess the applicability of current and new regulatory obligations to the business and ensure the 1st line implements appropriate controls.
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Lead risk‑based 2nd line monitoring and control testing programs and review testing by other 1.5 and 2nd lines.
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Serve as primary compliance contact for relevant regulatory bodies in Hong Kong including Insurance Authority, SFC and MPFA.
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Promote a strong compliance culture through training, awareness and close partnership with senior leadership.
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Develop and maintain the annual compliance plan with priorities, resource planning and measurable targets.
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Provide compliance advice on new projects, product development, compensation structures, disciplinary processes and new regulatory requirements.
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Prepare compliance reports for the Board, senior management and regional compliance leadership, escalating significant issues when required.
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Serve on key local management committees that oversee, monitor and steer compliance and regulatory risk for the Hong Kong business.
Successful applicants will have the following skills and experience:
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University degree and ideally holding relevant professional qualifications in Compliance, Legal, Accounting or similar)
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Minimum of 15 to 20 years' experience in Compliance, AML / FCC, Legal, Risk and/or Audit roles within the Insurance and Financial Services sectors.
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Deep expertise in regulatory matters and a strong understanding of the wider risk, compliance, legal, regulatory and reputational landscape.
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Proven leadership capabilities with a track record of building and guiding high‑performing Compliance teams that value mixed opinions, backgrounds and perspectives.
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Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives and regulatory bodies.
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Senior authority capable of driving decisions on complex compliance matters and initiatives.
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Experienced in navigating regulatory exceptions and compliance challenges affecting the organization.
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Skilled in managing relationships with senior leaders and balancing the natural tensions that arise between compliance obligations and business objectives.
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Fluent in written and spoken English and preferably Cantonese/Chinese. Applicants who do not speak Cantonese must demonstrate extensive experience working in Hong Kong, with a strong understanding of the local insurance market, regulatory environment and working culture.