The role
As a Compliance Officer you will play a key role within the firm's Central Compliance Unit (CCU), ensuring that new client and matter inceptions comply with legal, regulatory, and professional requirements. You will be responsible for undertaking and overseeing conflict of interests checks as well as anti-money laundering (AML)/client due diligence (CDD) checks on new and existing clients, on-going client monitoring, sanctions, reputational checks and assisting with other risk management procedures.
You will be the first point of contact for queries from the business and will ensure that all actions carried out by the CCU are conducted in a timely and efficient manner in accordance with all internal policies and procedures and in compliance with regulatory and legal requirements.
The Team
The Risk & Ethics directorate (R&E) is responsible for all areas of compliance and risk management for Shoosmiths including developing firmwide policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory compliance requirements, and to promote best practice. The team consists of the core risk management team and the Central Compliance Unit who are responsible for the onboarding of all clients/matters (including conflicts and AML).
The Firm
Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world's most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve 'Platinum Standard' Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.
We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.
To discover more about our benefits, please visit: Benefits Package
Main Responsibilities
* Take responsibility to provide an efficient delivery of the firm's client and matter inceptions process.
* Collaborating with the Partners/Legal Advisors/PAs within the Practice Groups to ensure accurate information about clients and matters is obtained.
* Conduct detailed conflict of interest searches for new clients, matters, panel appointments and updates to existing instructions.
* Analysing conflict of interest search results and resolving such issues with the business and escalating conflict issues as required.
* Managing the full suite of anti-money processes including obtaining and analysing CDD, performing sanction checks, identifying Politically Exposed Persons and undertaking reputational media checks.
* Escalating AML concerns identified as appropriate within the Risk & Ethics Directorate.
* Implementing and monitoring information barriers to safeguard sensitise client confidentiality.
* Provide clear, solutions-focused advice to partners and fee-earners on conflict risks and mitigation strategies.
* Assist with onboarding and upskilling new team members as required, ensuring consistent quality and approach. Maintain precise records of all research and risk assessments within the firms compliance software for auditing purposes.
Skills And Qualifications
* Minimum experience of 3 years' experience within a risk and compliance function
* Demonstratable knowledge/understanding of a regulatory/control environment
* AML expertise, particularly the Money Laundering Regulations and CDD requirements
* Knowledge of conflict of interest checks in a regulatory environment including practical application of the conflicts rules found in the SRA Codes of Conduct on own interest, client conflict and confidential information versus disclosure conflicts would be advantageous
* Experience of using Intapp or similar onboarding tool is preferred
* Exceptional interpersonal & communication skills both verbally and written
* Strong client relationship skills
* Organised/structured & collaborative approach
* Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment
* Focused on quality of output as well as speed of delivery
* Excellent attention to detail
Equal opportunities
Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.
This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.