Director of Risk & Compliance

We are proud to be working with a long-established and highly regarded London law firm to hire its first Director of Risk & Compliance. Our client is a full-service law firm with a diverse client base, that prides itself on providing market-leading advice across a broad range of sectors and markets, including the built environment, employment, private client, education and charities. The firm’s history goes back over 200 years and today is an exciting, diverse, and growing business.

The firm currently has a dispersed risk and compliance function with the key roles held by various partners and employees including the Managing Partner, and Partners in litigation and real estate. The current managing team has set ambitious growth targets for the next five years and as part of that plan they want to consolidate the risk and compliance function to form an independent full-service department.

The new Director of Risk & Compliance will lead the formation of this new team, reporting directly to the Managing Partner and working closely with the COO. This exciting opportunity will require an English qualified solicitor who has substantial experience of working in an SRA-regulated environment. You should have a broad range of knowledge and expertise across the key risk and compliance categories, including, but not limited to, SRA regulation, financial crime, conflicts, data protection, business acceptance and insurance. Commercial contracts and the Firm’s terms of business will also fall into your remit.

As head of the department, you will be responsible for the strategy and formation of the new function and will control the budget. Initially you will work closely with the Firm’s appointed COLP, MLRO, COFA and MLCO with a view to taking on these positions once you have settled into the role. This is a fantastic opportunity, and we are seeking an individual with passion, energy and commitment to take on the challenge and deliver a best-in-class department for the Firm.

To be successful you must be able to demonstrate leadership skills and have credibility when interacting with senior stakeholders, colleagues and third parties. The role will require you to mentor, coach and develop people so an ability to gain trust and teach will be important. Due to the breadth of this role, you will also need to be able to show strong organisational skills, an ability to multi-task and excellent attention to detail.

In our opinion the successful candidate for this role will already be in a similar role, likely at a deputy level, or in a smaller firm. However, we are also willing to consider fee-earners who are keen to transition across to Risk & Compliance if their area of practice is relevant to the role. The role will shape and grow around the successful individual and it may not be necessary for the right person to meet all of the prerequisites on day one.

Most importantly we are seeking an individual who aligns with the culture and values of the Firm. While being entrepreneurial and hardworking you must also be friendly, collaborative and inclusive. We have an environment which fosters a down-to-earth approach and is respectful of everyone, creating a happy and inclusive place to be.

If you believe you have the necessary skills and experience and would like to know more about this incredible opportunity please get in touch with Michelle Corneby at Cyan Partners, michelle@cyan.partners. Cyan Partners is exclusively retained on this recruitment assignment and all applications will be directed to them.