Director Business Line Compliance

Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from a global, high-impact brand into a technology-driven organization, and our people are at the heart of this journey. Together, we are driving a customer-centric transformation that values bold thinking, innovation, and the courage to challenge what’s possible.

This is more than a strategic shift. It’s a chance for driven professionals to grow, learn, and make a real difference.

Our mission is to contribute to help more people and businesses prosper. We embrace a strong risk culture and all our professionals at all levels are expected to take a proactive and responsible approach toward risk management.

As a Director, Business Line Compliance, you will be responsible for leading the Madrid Compliance function for Global Markets, Global Banking, and Global Transaction Banking, acting as a strategic partner to senior business leadership and a key member of the European and Global Compliance leadership teams.

You will define and execute the compliance strategy for Madrid, ensuring alignment with global frameworks while influencing business decisions at the highest level. You will oversee all advisory, governance, regulatory engagement, and control activities across the Madrid platform.

• Set the strategic direction for Business Line Compliance in Madrid, aligning local priorities with SCIB global compliance objectives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior executive leadership, including regional heads of Markets, Banking, and Transaction Banking.
• Lead and develop a high-performing compliance organization, fostering a strong culture of accountability, integrity, and risk awareness.
• Represent Spain in global compliance governance forums, contributing to enterprise-wide decision-making.

• Provide senior-level, real-time advisory to Global Markets (sales & trading), Global Banking, and GTB on complex and high-impact matters.
• Deliver credible challenge to business initiatives, ensuring activities operate within regulatory expectations and risk appetite.
• Oversee compliance coverage for complex products, structured transactions, and new business initiatives.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for local regulators, maintaining strong, credible relationships with supervisory authorities.
• Lead responses to regulatory inquiries, thematic reviews, inspections, and enforcement matters.
• Represent Santander externally on key compliance and regulatory topics where relevant.

• Anticipate and interpret regulatory developments across EU and global markets (MiFID II, EMIR, MAR, SFTR, etc.), translating them into strategic business implications.
• Sponsor and oversee implementation of regulatory change programs, ensuring timely and effective execution.

• Ensure the design and execution of a robust compliance framework, including policies, procedures, surveillance, and monitoring programs.
• Oversee conduct risk management, investigations, and escalation processes.
• Lead the annual compliance risk assessment and ongoing risk identification activities.

• Partner closely with Global and US Compliance leadership to ensure a consistent and harmonized approach across jurisdictions.
• Drive cross-border alignment in policies, controls, and advisory practices.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders across Business, Legal, Risk, Audit, and Control functions.
• Provide executive-level reporting to governance committees, boards, and senior management on compliance risks and issues.

Our people are our greatest strength. Every individual contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organization. We’re enabling teams to go beyond by valuing who they are and empowering what they bring.

The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for success in this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 12–15+ years of experience in financial services compliance within a major global bank or regulated institution. (Required)
• Demonstrated experience operating at Director or equivalent senior leadership level. (Required)
• Proven track record advising senior business leaders in high-pressure, complex environments. (Required)
• Extensive experience in Global Markets (FICC) compliance, with exposure to Investment Banking and Transaction Banking. (Required)
• Strong experience managing regulatory relationships and high-impact supervisory engagements. (Required)
• Knowledge of US regulatory frameworks (CFTC/SEC, Dodd-Frank) is highly desirable. (Preferred)

• Bachelor’s degree (Required.
• Advanced degree (MBA, Law, etc.) or professional certifications (CFA, ICA, CISI, ACAMS) (preferred)

• Fluent English (Required)

• Deep expertise in  European regulatory frameworks: MiFID II, EMIR, MAR, SFTR, and cross-border regimes. Understanding of global frameworks such as Dodd-Frank (Swap Dealer and Volcker) is a plus.
• Strong strategic mindset with the ability to translate regulation into business strategy.
• Exceptional leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills at executive level.
• Proven ability to challenge, influence, and guide senior stakeholders while maintaining strong relationships.
• Highly resilient decision-maker, comfortable operating under regulatory scrutiny and time pressure.
• Excellent communication skills with experience presenting to boards and senior governance forums.
• Strong organizational leadership and talent development capabilities.

• Full-time, permanent role based in Madrid.
• Regular interaction with global teams; international travel may be required.

If this sounds like a role you are interested in, then please apply.