5 tips: How to attract compliance talents

Compliance plays a very important role for companies in the financial services sector. In view of increasingly complex regulations and rising costs for violations, experienced compliance experts are in high demand to help companies manage risks, to optimize processes and comply with the legal framework. But how can companies effectively attract and retain these valuable professionals?

Cansu Kabacam, Senior Consultant at Robert Walters and specialist in recruiting compliance experts, presents five key strategies that companies in the banking and financial services sector can use to attract the best compliance talent.

1. Invest in training on regulatory issues

In Germany, compliance experts need specialist knowledge of the local regulatory framework, although knowledge of broader European or US regulations is often required for international activities. In addition to English, fluency in other languages such as French, Italian or Spanish is often an advantage, especially in companies with international business relationships. Cansu Kabacam explains: ‘Companies that offer their teams financial support for training in regulatory qualifications or enable flexible part-time models to acquire such certifications can position themselves as particularly attractive employers. The targeted promotion of professional development for employees is an effective means of attracting qualified compliance specialists to the company.’

2. Specialists vs. generalists

Large financial institutions often rely on highly specialised roles in their compliance departments. However, this so-called silo model is often less suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, as they require a more versatile approach.

Implementation is difficult for smaller companies: they need professionals who can immediately take on a variety of tasks. In such cases, applicants are often expected to be fully qualified. Smaller companies benefit particularly from specialists with broad knowledge and practical experience, as they can create added value immediately without lengthy training.

Cansu Kabacam suggests: "Compliance generalists are the cost-effective first choice for small businesses. They offer broad coverage – from money laundering prevention to data protection – act as an indispensable interface thanks to their business acumen, and are flexible enough to respond quickly to regulatory changes. To attract these experts, companies should look for candidates with a broad legal or economic background who bring pragmatic implementation skills and experience from various corporate functions as their greatest asset.

More on this: The most desired candidate profiles in compliance

3. Offer flexibility and competitive salaries

Flexibility and competitive salaries are essential for attracting the best compliance professionals. ‘While many companies are pushing for a return to the office, maintaining a hybrid model with at least one remote day per week can be very attractive to compliance professionals,’ says Kabacam. ‘Hybrid working models support work-life balance and employee retention. In addition, companies should align their salaries with market standards or even exceed them in order to successfully attract experienced compliance professionals.’

For information on current salary trends, see our salary survey.

4. Optimise recruitment with data-driven strategies

With a data-driven recruitment strategy, companies can search for the right professionals in a targeted manner while ensuring a fast and efficient hiring process. Especially in the area of compliance, where skilled workers are in high demand, a smooth process without unnecessary delays can be crucial.

Cansu Kabacam explains: ‘In my experience, companies with fast and transparent hiring processes secure the best compliance talent. When application processes are optimized and response times are shortened, candidates feel valued and respected.’

5. Support from external partners

‘Recruitment consultancies are invaluable in the recruitment process,’ says Cansu Kabacam. "They have in-depth knowledge of the job market and access to a large number of candidates who are not actively looking for work but are still open to attractive offers. They bring the right talent to the right company at the right time, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved." 

Recruitment consultancies also provide valuable market insights into salary trends, industry standards and sought-after skills, which simplifies negotiations and helps to find the best employees.

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