Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) in Manchester

We are looking to recruit a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice. BBS Law is an ambitious, award‑winning, full‑service law firm recognised for its client excellence, professional integrity, and collaborative partnership approach. We are on an accelerated growth trajectory, and our success is anchored in an operational philosophy that prioritises our people and ethical practice over corporate rigidities. We seek an experienced and strategic Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) to safeguard this foundation. This is a crucial senior appointment, central to maintaining the highest ethical and regulatory standards as we scale. This role requires more than technical compliance; it requires a leader who can integrate regulatory discipline into our firm’s collaborative culture.

Key Responsibilities and Strategic Focus

• Risk Anticipation and Strategy: Define regulatory risk over a 1–3‑year horizon, interpret emerging SRA changes, and strategically adjust firm policies to ensure proactive compliance.
• Balancing Judgement: Exercise sophisticated professional judgment, balancing regulatory imperatives with sound commercial objectives in a growing firm environment.
• Cultural Integration: Develop and promote a sustainable culture of compliance, ethics, and professional conduct, ensuring this mindset is woven into daily operations and decision‑making firm‑wide.
• Regulatory Oversight: Act as the primary liaison with the SRA, managing all necessary notifications, audits, and official communications with professionalism and precision.
• Policy Architecture: Conduct regular audits and risk assessments; design, implement, and maintain internal policies and procedures that ensure ongoing regulatory adherence and operational clarity.
• Reporting: Prepare comprehensive, high‑level reports for the Board on compliance status, strategic risk, and remedial actions.

Candidate Profile: Leadership and Cultural Alignment

We are looking for a confident, meticulous professional whose strategic leadership is matched by their commitment to our values. Your ability to align with and promote our people‑focused culture – where integrity, supportive leadership, and genuine awareness are foundational – is paramount.

Essential Professional Criteria

• SRA and Regulatory Expertise: In-depth, proven knowledge of SRA Standards and Regulations, the Legal Services Act 2007, and broader compliance frameworks.
• Relevant Experience: Proven experience in legal compliance or risk management, preferably within a growing or SME‑sized law firm environment.
• Analytical Acumen: Exceptional analytical and communication skills, capable of translating complex regulatory requirements into clear, pragmatic, and actionable advice for all levels of the firm.
• Influence and Integrity: High integrity and professional discretion. Demonstrate the ability to influence senior levels and foster a culture of firm‑wide accountability.
• Systems and Governance: Strong organisational skills and familiarity with compliance systems, risk registers, and policy documentation.
• ISO Framework Mastery: Proven ability to develop and implement risk and compliance strategies, including experience leading or managing ISO certification programmes (e.g., ISO9001, ISO27001, etc.).

Required Qualifications

• Statutory Standing: Must be a registered lawyer of England and Wales, a Registered European Lawyer (REL), or an individual registered with the Bar Standards Board under relevant regulations.
• Compliance Leadership: Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a COLP role or equivalent compliance leadership position in a legal environment.
• Audit Qualification: Qualified ISO Internal Auditor (or significant, demonstrable familiarity with ISO frameworks and auditing principles).

Join a firm where your function is viewed not as a constraint, but as the strategic advantage driving our future. Work within a values‑driven culture where professional growth and employee wellbeing are core commitments, supported by empathetic leadership. Direct opportunity to shape and embed compliance strategy within an ambitious, expanding firm. Great pay and benefits that match the seniority and significance of the role. Should you wish to be considered please forward your CV together with a covering letter using the form below.