December 2025
Compliance: 2026 Talent Insights
After several years of steady growth, compliance hiring surged across Europe in 2025. From proprietary trading firms to license holders, compliance professionals are now considered critical to business operations and regulatory standing.
In this video, Joseff Richards, Senior Vice President and Head of Selby Jennings Netherlands, breaks down the drivers behind this hiring shift and what clients and candidates should expect in 2026.
What changed in compliance in 2025, and how did that impact hiring?
"Compliance became a business-critical function in 2025. Firms across financial services, particularly in proprietary trading and HFT firms, ramped up hiring for professionals focused on market abuse, trade surveillance, reporting, and direct engagement with regulators.
"At the same time, the expansion of payment and e-money institution licensing (PSP and EMI) in the EU created strong demand for compliance candidates with AML, PSD2, and regulatory licensing experience.
"Regulatory pressure intensified across jurisdictions. The drivers? Evolving EU AML legislation, the live implementation of DORA, and continued MiFID II enforcement. These developments pushed businesses to seek out regulatory specialists, shifting away from generalist compliance profiles and toward professionals with deep, technical expertise in specific frameworks."
What should firms and professionals prioritize in 2026?
"For businesses, speed and flexibility will be key in a talent-short market. Specialist compliance professionals are in high demand, often engaged in multiple conversations, and local regulators are increasingly requiring this expertise. Delayed decisions or rigid hiring processes risk losing strong candidates to faster-moving competitors.
"For compliance professionals, 2026 is the time to specialize. Keep up with evolving legislation, particularly around DORA, MiFID, and AML, and build depth in one or more regulatory domains. Employers are actively prioritizing candidates who can act as internal experts rather than generalist risk advisors.
"Tech and AI literacy is also becoming more important. While core compliance responsibilities remain human-led, having the ability to understand and work alongside automated tools will add value."
How is AI changing the compliance sector?
"AI is playing a growing role in automating compliance workflows, particularly in reporting, monitoring, and alert management. These efficiencies are freeing up compliance officers to focus more on interpretation, judgement, and regulatory liaison.
"However, AI is not replacing compliance officers. Regulators still require, and expect, direct human interaction with firms. The most in-demand professionals will be those who can use AI tools effectively while maintaining a hands-on understanding of risk, policy, and communication."
To discuss your hiring plans for 2026 or explore current compliance opportunities, request a call back or browse open roles.
FAQ: Compliance hiring, careers & compensation in 2026
Hiring demand is strong for Compliance Officers, Regulatory Reporting Specialists, AML/KYC Analysts, Conduct Risk Managers, and Operational Compliance Leads. Hiring is also rising for AI governance specialists, digital compliance analysts, and compliance program leads who can interpret EU wide regulatory frameworks such as the EU AML Regulation, Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA), and evolving ESG disclosure requirements.
Need specialized compliance talent? Request a call back from Selby Jennings to discuss your hiring strategy.
Expertise in AML/KYC, sanctions screening, regulatory reporting, and risk frameworks is considered a baseline requirement for most compliance roles.
Employers look for compliance professionals who combine strong regulatory knowledge with analytical and technology skills. Increasingly, competency in RegTech, data analytics, automation tools, and AI governance frameworks makes candidates stand out as compliance functions modernize.
Selby Jennings helps finance firms define ideal skill profiles and build targeted talent pipelines. Learn more about our compliance recruitment solutions.
Top compliance professionals expect well-defined role descriptions, structured interview stages that include technical and situational questions, and timely feedback. Highlighting your firm’s approach to career progression, regulatory technology, and hybrid working models can also improve candidate engagement and conversion rates.
Selby Jennings supports compliance hiring with market insight and candidate engagement strategies. Request a call back to learn more.
Evolving regulations such as strengthened AML rules, data protection (GDPR/AI Act), and expanded ESG reporting requirements are increasing demand for specialists who can interpret, implement, and monitor regulatory standards. Firms are also seeking candidates with experience advising on cross border compliance frameworks.
Selby Jennings helps clients identify emerging regulatory skill gaps and recruit accordingly. Speak to a specialist for more information.
Compliance careers can begin in AML/KYC, regulatory reporting, or conduct risk, progressing into roles such as Head of Compliance, Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), or regional compliance lead. Many professionals also transition into risk management, regulatory consulting, or governance, risk & compliance (GRC) leadership positions.
Explore career growth opportunities in compliance by creating an account with Selby Jennings – register here.
Base salaries for compliance professionals vary by location, role type, and regulatory scope. In key European financial hubs, averages include:
- Mid-level roles such as Compliance Officers or AML/KYC Analysts typically earn between €65,000 and €90,000.
- Senior Compliance Managers overseeing multi-jurisdictional frameworks or regulatory reporting functions often earn €100,000 to €140,000.
- Heads of Compliance or Chief Compliance Officers (CCOs) at regulated financial institutions, particularly in banking or asset management, can earn between €150,000 and €250,000+, with additional bonuses or deferred compensation.
Specialists in areas such as sanctions, MiFID II, ESG disclosure, or crypto compliance tend to command a premium due to rising complexity and regulatory scrutiny.
Want to benchmark your role or understand regional differences? Request a salary consultation or browse current compliance roles.
Professional qualifications such as ICA (International Compliance Association), CAMS (Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist), and risk focused programs (e.g. GRC certificates) are widely recognized. Regulatory or sector specific training (investment, banking, crypto) further enhances candidates’ appeal.
Interviews typically cover regulatory knowledge, situational responses to compliance scenarios, and use of technology in compliance workflows. Expect questions about AML/KYC challenges, regulatory reporting standards, risk assessment frameworks, and how you’ve used technology or RegTech to improve effectiveness.
Selby Jennings offers tailored interview support for compliance professionals. Register today to start applying for compliance jobs near you, and receive guidance throughout your entire interview process.