Critical soft skills of a good compliance manager

Aga Kokoszewska
3 min readApr 10, 2023

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A compliance manager is responsible for ensuring that a company or organization follows relevant laws, regulations, and policies. It is not only about technical expertise but also a set of soft skills one needs to possess to be successful in this position.

One of the most important soft skills is… excellent communication. The ability to communicate effectively with employees, management, and regulators is critical to ensuring that everyone understands the importance of compliance and the company’s commitment to it. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Attention to detail is another critical soft skill for a compliance manager. They simply must be meticulous in their work, paying close attention to the details of regulations, policies, and procedures. They should also be able to identify potential compliance risks and take appropriate action to mitigate them.

Another essential soft skill for a compliance manager is… leadership. People in such a role must be able to lead by example and inspire their teams to uphold the highest standards of compliance. They should be able to motivate employees to embrace compliance as a core value of the organization and help them understand the consequences of non-compliance.

Problem-solving skills are also essential. Managers must be able to identify potential issues and develop effective strategies to address them. They should be able to think creatively and develop innovative solutions that meet regulatory requirements while also supporting the company’s goals and objectives.

Finally… adaptability. Compliance regulations and requirements can change quite frequently, so managers must be able to adapt quickly to new requirements and regulations. They should be able to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field and adjust their strategies as needed.

We have listed some possible interview questions to assess the above-mentioned soft skills required:

Communication:

  • Describe a time when you had to communicate complex compliance requirements to non-technical stakeholders. How did you ensure they understood the importance of compliance?
  • Give an example of a time when you had to communicate difficult news related to compliance to senior management. How did you handle the situation?
  • Describe a time when you had to communicate with regulatory bodies or auditors. How did you ensure effective communication and collaboration?

Attention to detail:

  • Describe a time when your attention to detail helped you identify a compliance risk. What was the risk, and what steps did you take to mitigate it?
  • Give an example of a time when you had to review a large volume of compliance documentation. How did you ensure you didn’t miss any critical details?
  • How do you ensure that compliance documentation is accurate and up-to-date?

Leadership:

  • Tell us about a time when you had to lead a team to achieve compliance objectives. How did you motivate your team and ensure their buy-in?
  • Give an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision related to compliance. How did you lead your team through the decision-making process?
  • How do you stay up-to-date with the latest compliance regulations and requirements? How do you ensure your team stays informed as well?

Problem-solving:

  • Describe a time when you had to identify a compliance issue and develop a solution to address it. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
  • Give an example of a time when you had to balance regulatory compliance requirements with business needs. How did you develop a solution that met both requirements?
  • Tell us about a time when you had to troubleshoot a compliance issue. What was the issue, and how did you resolve it?

Adaptability:

  • Tell us about a time when you had to adjust your compliance strategy in response to a change in regulations. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
  • Give an example of a time when you had to quickly adapt to a new compliance requirement. How did you ensure your team was prepared to meet the new requirement?
  • How do you ensure your compliance program is agile and able to adapt to changes in the regulatory environment?

If you are looking for professional support to prepare for an interview, reach out to us for a chat at gibraltarcareerboost@gmail.com.

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Good Luck!

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Aga Kokoszewska

I am a passionate and experienced Career and Leadership Coach