Head of Compliance

An international commercial law firm is looking for a Head of Compliance to manage their risk management function.

The Role:

The Head of Compliance will be responsible for taking a leading role on the design, development and delivery of the firm's risk management strategy. Working closely with the firm's risk management function the Head of Compliance will help to ensure the firm remains compliant with regulatory and legislative requirements, while taking a commercial approach to risk-based challenges and contributing to the growth and reputation of the firm.

The Head of Compliance will also be responsible for providing an advisory and consultancy role to the Firm on high-level and complex risk and compliance issues, ensuring a culture of risk awareness is embedded in the firm through its processes, policies, training and technology. They will also support the Firm in decision-making and planning by ensuring they remain informed of regulatory, legislative and best-practice developments.

The Head of Compliance will oversee the wider risk and compliance team which assists the day-to-day processes within their remit, including new client/matter opening and data management, conflict checking and clearance, lateral hire conflict screening, AML/CDD and the management of terms of engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategy & Governance

• Designing, implementing and leading the firm's risk management and compliance planning across their global offices, as aligned to the firm's wider business strategy
• Conducting compliance reviews and investigations
• Advising contracts in connection with firm ventures
• Managing the Quarterly meetings and recording any breaches and initiatives for change

Compliance

• Designing and managing compliance, regulatory and legislative processes, and advising on ongoing requirements, including those in connection with:
• AML/CDD
• Conflicts of interest and confidentiality
• Financial sanctions, anti-bribery & corruption and tax evasion
• Financial services regulation
• Engagement terms with clients and procurement terms with third parties
• GDPR and privacy

Risk Management

• Designing and managing risk management procedures, and advising on ongoing requirements and best practice, including those in connection with:
• Insurance requirements
• Complaints and conduct issues
• Information security and breach management
• New client/matter onboarding and management, including ongoing monitoring of high risk clients
• New joiner/partner processes, including conflict screening
• Procurement and contractual negotiations and terminations
• Business continuity

Documentation & Training

• Drafting and maintaining the firm's risk and compliance policies, procedures and best practice documentation
• Researching and drafting briefings on complex legal markets and regulatory changes
• Providing and leading on training in all areas of risk and compliance, developing and updating training materials and guidance notes as required
• Responsible for leading on developing and delivering training programmes for all areas of risk management and compliance in general

Projects

• Providing advice on risk and compliance in relation to the delivery of wider business projects, which might include:
• New office launches
• Outsourcing ventures and IT systems change
• Other ad hoc projects arising from external changes

Requirements

• Previous law firm environment experience