1st Line Compliance Expert

Within the COO division, the Life Operations department is a continuously evolving department responsible for managing our clients' life insurance files (both corporate and individual clients), from underwriting through to claims and benefit payments, with the objective of delivering high-quality service to our brokers and customers.

As the first line of defence, the department plays a key role in identifying, managing and mitigating compliance-related risks. To further strengthen this responsibility, we are looking for a 1st Line Compliance Expert who will act as the compliance focal point within Operations and support the development of a robust, proactive and sustainable compliance culture.

As a trusted business partner and hands-on compliance expert, you will actively execute first line compliance activities and provide subject matter expertise across Operations. Beyond providing advice and coordination, you will perform compliance reviews, assess complex files, execute controls, conduct due diligence and distribution oversight activities, and contribute directly to ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. You will play a key role in maintaining first-line ownership of compliance risks while ensuring that controls remain effective and regulatory expectations are consistently met.

The department is made up of around sixty colleagues across four teams who are looking forward to welcoming you!

Your responsibilities

As the First Line Compliance Expert, you will support Business and Operations teams on all compliance-related matters and contribute to the continuous strengthening of the first line control framework.

Your responsibilities include :

• Acting as the first point of contact and subject matter expert for compliance matters across Individual Life and Group Life activities (e.g. AML/CFT, KYC, FATCA/CRS, Sanctions, GDPR, Fraud Prevention and related regulations).

• Acting as the subject matter expert for Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) requirements, conducting distribution oversight activities and assessing compliance of the distribution network against regulatory expectations.

• Providing practical advice and guidance to managers and employees to ensure the correct interpretation and application of regulatory requirements.

• Serving as the key interface between Operations, Compliance and Risk functions to ensure alignment on regulatory expectations, priorities and remediation actions.

• Independently reviewing and challenging complex, sensitive or high-risk files, providing expert compliance assessment and performing four-eyes reviews where required.

• Designing, executing and documenting first-line controls, compliance reviews, monitoring activities and quality assurance assessments while ensuring their effectiveness, consistency and regulatory adequacy.

• Identifying control weaknesses, recurring issues and operational risks, and driving corrective and preventive actions.

• Translating regulatory developments, internal policies and Compliance recommendations into pragmatic operational processes and supporting their implementation.

• Coordinating and facilitating the Risk & Control Self-Assessment (RCSA) process in partnership with operational management.

• Monitoring, analysing and reporting compliance indicators, incidents, control results and action plans to management and key stakeholders.

• Supporting audits, regulatory requests, reporting activities and maintaining adequate documentation to ensure ongoing regulatory readiness.

• Delivering compliance training and awareness initiatives while promoting a strong risk and compliance culture across Operations.

• Driving continuous improvement, operational excellence and compliance due diligence activities, while contributing to service quality, business performance and customer satisfaction.

Your profile

• You hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Insurance, Law, Economics, Finance or equivalent professional experience.

• You have at least 5 years of experience in Compliance, AML, Risk Management or Internal Control, ideally within the life insurance sector.

• You have a strong knowledge of applicable regulations, including AML/CFT, KYC, Sanctions, FATCA/CRS, GDPR, Fraud Prevention and related regulatory requirements.

• You have good knowledge of Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) requirements and experience in distribution oversight, intermediary monitoring or compliance review activities is considered a strong asset.

• You have proven experience in conducting compliance reviews, control testing, quality assurance activities, due diligence assessments and distribution oversight within a regulated environment.

• You are fluent in either French or Dutch and have a good command of the other national language, allowing you to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in both languages.

• You are proficient in Microsoft Office tools.

• You understand operational challenges and can translate regulatory requirements into pragmatic business solutions.

• You possess strong analytical, problem-solving and risk assessment skills.

• You are comfortable challenging existing practices while maintaining a constructive and collaborative approach.

• You are capable of facilitating workshops, training sessions and awareness activities.

• You demonstrate strong organisational skills, accuracy and autonomy.

• You have a high level of integrity, discretion and sense of responsibility.

• You are, of course, a strong team player.

Good reasons to join us

• A permanent employment contract.

• A company on a human scale within a dynamic group where you can rapidly have an impact.

• Accessible management close to staff and a pleasant working environment.

• Many opportunities for development, thanks in particular to our Athora Academy.

• Balance between professional life and private life with generous holidays (at least 39 days a year), flexible working hours and up to 3 days’ teleworking a week.  

• An attractive salary package plus various fringe benefits.

• Modern, bright offices conducive to collaboration.

• A central location in the Porte de Namur district, accessible by train and public transport and with parking facilities available if needed. 

• Last but not least… a sunny terrace, afterworks between colleagues, teambuildings, an annual staff day and many other events to discover… 😉

If you are looking for a friendly organisation with a human face and attach value to cooperation and helping one another, you have come to the right address.

#LI-Hybrid

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