The New Compliance Technologists: How Regulation Is Redefining the Tech Contractor Market

From Delivery to Assurance

Over the past two years, financial institutions have invested heavily in compliance transformation – overhauling data architectures, automating reporting, and reinforcing ICT resilience.
Now, the conversation has turned from programme build to post-implementation maturity.

Firms are focused on:

• Testing end-to-end data integrity and transaction reporting accuracy.
• Auditing system logic and execution flows for MiFID compliance.
• Reviewing third-party oversight and resilience testing under DORA.
• Preparing documentation and evidence for supervisory review.

This phase – stabilising systems, closing data gaps, and evidencing compliance – is where experienced technology contractors add the most value.

The New Shape of the Tech Contractor Market

Regulation has redefined what it means to be a technology contractor in financial services.

Today’s contractors are specialist compliance technologists, bridging the gap between regulatory intent and digital execution.

Key skills in demand include:

• Regulatory Data Engineering – managing data lineage, schema reconciliation, and reporting logic.
• Systems Integration – ensuring consistency between OMS/EMS, CRM, and reporting environments.
• Cyber and Resilience Engineering – embedding DORA-aligned monitoring, incident management, and continuity controls.
• Programme and Change Management – coordinating multi-regulation delivery streams.

What unites them is the ability to translate legislation into technology architecture – a skillset increasingly indispensable to compliant operations.

DORA: From Go-Live to Maturity

With DORA now live across the EU, financial institutions are focused on embedding resilience into business-as-usual rather than standalone programmes.
Contractors are playing key roles in:

• Running resilience testing and scenario simulations.
• Strengthening incident management and escalation frameworks.
• Enhancing ICT third-party risk governance.
• Supporting post-implementation audits as regulators begin supervisory reviews.

Firms that treat DORA as an ongoing capability – rather than a one-off compliance exercise – are increasingly leaning on contractors to provide the flexibility and expertise needed for continuous improvement.

MiFID Reform: The Next Phase of Transformation

Following the latest MiFID and MiFIR amendments, attention has shifted from design and vendor engagement to system testing and validation.
Firms are focusing on:

• Data quality assurance across order and transaction reporting.
• Integration of consolidated tape and best execution feeds.
• Governance of vendor and data-provider relationships under evolving transparency obligations.
• Automation of control and audit processes for compliance reporting.

These programmes continue to drive strong demand for data, infrastructure, and reporting contractors, particularly those who have delivered MiFID II, EMIR REFIT, or other large-scale regulatory transformations.

The Contractor Advantage: Flexibility Meets Expertise

In a landscape of overlapping regulatory frameworks, technology contractors offer firms a rare combination of agility and depth:

• Speed to deployment – contractors can be mobilised rapidly to address gaps or assurance work.
• Specialist knowledge – many bring hands-on experience from multiple prior regulatory cycles.
• Independent perspective – they provide objectivity in testing, validation, and audit processes.
• Cost efficiency – allowing firms to flex resource levels without long-term commitments.
• Contractors are not a stop-gap measure; they are strategic enablers of resilience, compliance, and ongoing operational assurance.

Strategic Resourcing for a Continuous Regulatory Cycle

Regulation is no longer cyclical – it’s continuous.
Leading institutions are evolving how they source and deploy talent, building blended delivery models that combine permanent expertise with contractor agility.

We’re seeing firms:

• Maintain pre-vetted panels of regulatory technologists for rapid mobilisation.
• Build knowledge-transfer frameworks to retain contractor insights post-delivery.
• Integrate contractor oversight into DORA-aligned third-party governance.
• Partner with specialist recruitment firms that understand the regulatory and technological interface.

This approach ensures not just compliance but enduring capability.

Conclusion: Regulation Is Now a Technology Discipline

With DORA embedded and MiFID reforms reshaping data and reporting infrastructures, the link between technology and compliance is complete.
Every major regulatory initiative now depends on the quality of a firm’s technology talent – and increasingly, that means contractors.

As firms enter the next phase of regulatory assurance, those that plan early, secure the right expertise, and integrate contractors strategically will not only remain compliant but turn regulatory change into operational strength.

At Elevate Partners, we continue to support leading financial institutions across Ireland and Europe in sourcing the technology, data, and change contractors driving this transformation.
If your firm is refining post-implementation processes or strengthening its operational resilience frameworks, we’d be happy to share current market insights and discuss how to structure contractor resourcing effectively.