Our client, a highly regarded specialist law firm, is seeking an experienced Head of Risk & Compliance to lead its Risk and Compliance function on a permanent basis.
The Firm
Our client is a highly regarded London law firm with a strong reputation for advising individuals and businesses on complex, high-profile and often cross-border matters. The firm handles sophisticated work requiring a particularly strong approach to regulatory compliance, AML, sanctions and risk management.
The Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced senior Risk and Compliance professional to take ownership of the firm's overall compliance framework. Working closely with the Partners and senior management, the successful candidate will lead the firm's approach to regulatory compliance, with particular responsibility for client onboarding, matter initiation, AML, sanctions and wider SRA regulatory requirements.
Key responsibilities include:
- Overseeing the firm’s key regulatory responsibilities and managing relationships with the SRA and other relevant regulatory bodies
- Keeping abreast of changes to legislation, professional standards and regulatory guidance, assessing their impact and advising Partners and senior management on appropriate action
- Overseeing the firm’s approach to AML, sanctions, fraud prevention and wider data protection compliance
- Providing senior-level guidance to Partners and fee earners on complex regulatory and professional conduct matters, including conflicts, ethics and the SRA Accounts Rules
- Managing compliance reviews and monitoring activity across the firm, identifying areas of risk and ensuring appropriate remedial action is taken
- Maintaining and enhancing the firm’s compliance framework, including policies and procedures
- Taking the lead on internal compliance investigations, assessing potential breaches and presenting findings
- Developing the firm’s approach to AML and sanctions risk, ensuring policies and controls remain effective and aligned with current regulatory expectations
- Overseeing sanctions considerations connected with payments received or made by the firm, liaising closely with the Accounts team
- Coordinating the firm’s compliance file review programme
- Developing and delivering regulatory training across the business, with particular focus on AML, sanctions, professional conduct and SRA requirements
- Serving as the principal contact for regulatory enquiries, compliance audits and external assessments
- Leading the wider Risk and Compliance function, providing strategic oversight of the firm’s regulatory obligations
Requirements
- Significant experience within a senior Risk, Compliance or Regulatory position, ideally within a law firm
- Previous experience as a COLP, COFA, MLRO or within a comparable senior compliance leadership position
Vacancy Highlights
- Head of Risk & Compliance position with significant ownership and autonomy
- Highly competitive salary
- Fully onsite London-based position
To be considered for this Head of Risk & Compliance opportunity, please contact Birchrose Associates for a confidential discussion.