Compliance Officer- Qualified Lawyer for COLP status recruitment

An excellent opportunity has arisen at a leading law firm for a qualified lawyer with Compliance experience within the legal sector to work closely with the MLRO and the Risk Committee, also being the first point of contact on any money laundering and compliance issues that arise within the firm.

Some of the responsibilities within the role will include:

• Carry out and verify Customer Due Diligence (CDD) / new client openings and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) evidence for all types of entities, including trusts, private equity funds and unit trusts.

• Perform ongoing compliance monitoring of existing clients.

• Perform money laundering monitoring/sanctions and Politically Exposed Person (PEP) checks ensuring compliance with new legislations to include money laundering risk assessment and reporting to the SOCA.

• Research international regulators, company registries, stock exchanges, and other sources to source full CDD documentation for various client types.

• Implement adequate risk management systems to ensure protection of client money.

• Give guidance on hospitality and promotional expenditure.

• Conduct new client relationship checks in all parts of the business

• Liaise and follow up with Client Engagement Teams, Business Research Centres/Corporate Intelligence to gather required client information.

• Attend Money Laundering supervisors’ forums with the FSA, HMRC, SOCA the Law Society and other statutory supervisors.

• Develop training and guidance materials to support members on best practice approach to regulatory compliance.

• Responsible for developing and implementing a risk based approach to supervision.

• Maintain ownership of company internal policies and documents including standard terms of engagement, and client care letters.

• Work closely with departmental heads to manage internal file reviews for Solicitors Regulatory Authority audits.

• Create a Gap Analysis and Risk Register, to enable the firm to identify, manage and monitor risks to compliance, including issues on client service standards (e.g. conflicts, client engagement, supervision, undertakings) and effective business management. 

• Create or maintain effective systems and controls, and a system for monitoring them, enabling the firm to evidence the adequacy of efforts to achieve mandatory outcomes.

• Oversee conflict checks of prospective clients to include managing conflict of interests.

• Responsible for identifying compliance related operational training needs, assessing training programmes and delivering training solutions including integrating new software packages into business practice in order to improve the operation of the business.

You must have at least 12 months present/recent experience in a law firm and minimum two years PQE (in any discipline) and be abreast of all new compliance regulations and have a sound knowledge of AML / client on boarding. Qualified to COLP level will be an advantage. In return they are offering a starting salary between £60,000 - £80,000 dependant upon experience plus bonus, 28 days holiday, healthcare, pension