Head of Financial Crime (UK, US & EMEA) in London

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years. As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

This role requires strong leadership, strong stakeholder management, change management and strong subject matter expertise. The role takes accountability of a department dealing with Financial Crime matters including Policy, Advisory, Governance, Oversight, Risk Assessments, Risk Management, Training, Communications, Operations, Quality Assurance and Remediation. This role provides strategic leadership in developing, implementing, maintaining and embedding a robust AML/CTF program, operationalising it and having the right reporting and governance to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The role serves as the primary liaison with the regulatory and industry bodies.

The role also provides oversight of AML/CTF and Sanctions risk management across the firm’s offices in the EMEA and US regions and ensures compliance with the applicable AML/CTF regulations in the relevant EMEA and US jurisdictions. This involves continuous improvements in risk management frameworks and processes through training, governance and oversight. This role is responsible for the UK, US and EMEA Financial Crime team and will ensure global opportunities are optimised, through consistency with the global program and leading the team.

Primary responsibilities:

• Strategy and Leadership: Lead and manage the Financial Crime Team UK, US & EMEA, including recruitment, onboarding, training and development, retention, and staff engagement. Proactive engagement with the Director of Financial Crime, focusing on risk management, compliance, efficiencies and process improvements. Developing and implementing all strategies for Financial Crime to UK, US, EMEA and BAU. Engage with industry, combining industry leading practices, with strong commercial awareness.
• Program Development and Oversight: Leading the Financial Crime Team on ongoing development and refinement of the relevant Financial Crime policies, resources, processes, and technology, including the firm’s AML/CTF Program. Ensure firm-wide risk assessments are completed to identify and mitigate ML/TF risks. Maintain oversight of the Firms control environment of AML/CTF risks. Ensure the AML/CTF Program aligns with UK, US and EMEA regulatory requirements and international best practices.
• Regulatory Compliance and Liaison: Manage responses to regulatory changes and ensure compliance with relevant regulatory reporting obligations. Assist the EMEA and US offices in managing escalated regulatory enquiries. Oversee systems for identifying suspicious activity and related reporting requirements. Maintain proactive communication with relevant regulatory bodies, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of Suspicious Matter Reports (SMRs). Liaise and effectively influence key stakeholders to address compliance challenges and ensure alignment with business objectives and controls. Maintain a thorough understanding of AML/CTF laws and provide guidance to ensure firm-wide compliance. Serve as the main point of contact for regulators, industry experts, and internal stakeholders on AML/CTF matters on behalf of the firm.
• New Business Intake: Ensure appropriate due diligence is applied before a new client intake. In conjunction with the Conflicts Team, assist in the assessment of new business for reputational risk issues and advising stakeholders on the same. Being one of the Senior Management approvers for High-Risk clients/matters.
• Governance and Reporting: Establish oversight mechanisms to monitor the effectiveness of the AML/CTF. Provide regular reporting to the firm’s senior manager and governing body on financial crime risks, emerging risks, control effectiveness, and key initiatives. Monitor the effectiveness of the AML/CTF Program. Arrange for inspections and audits, making recommendation based on findings. Support the firm’s Money Laundering Risk Officers (MLROs) and risk partners in the EMEA and US.
• Training and Awareness: Support and steer the development and implementation of role specific training to employees at all levels to enhance understanding of financial crime and compliance and their roles and responsibilities. Provide regular communications to employees about regulatory changes, emerging risk and changes in policies and process.
• Policy Implementation: Ensure the development, implementation, and reviews for internal policies and procedures related to AML/CTF are compliant. Ensure these policies are updated regularly to reflect legislative changes and best practices. Ensure the identification, evaluation, and mitigation of ML/TF risks across the firm are controlled.
• WHS Obligations: Comply with WHS obligations and responsibilities in accordance with the requirements for this role and, for leaders at any level, this includes adequately supervising and supporting team members to promote a safe and respectful workplace.

Qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Educational Background: Candidates should hold a degree in finance, law, business administration, or a related field. Candidates who have practiced law for a minimum of 3 years is preferred.
• Certifications: Relevant professional certifications such as Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and/or ICA qualifications preferred. Leadership certifications and training courses. Supplementary certifications are desirable in areas such as Operations, Lean Six Sigma and Risk Management.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in Financial Crime compliance, risk management, or related fields. Minimum of 10 years leadership experience. Experience in building and managing diverse teams is preferred. Minimum of 3 years' experience with working in a law firm is preferred. Experience of leading and working in global teams is preferred.

Competencies:

• Knowledge: In-depth understanding of AML/CTF laws and regulations, including compliance requirements and standards. Familiarity with risk-based approaches to compliance and guidelines. Knowledge of ML/TF risk typologies, mitigation strategies, and the regulatory frameworks governing reporting groups and lead entities.
• Skills: Proficient in drafting and maintaining robust AML/CTF policies, programs, and risk assessments, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations and best practices. Expertise in evaluating AML/CTF compliance risks and identifying gaps in policies, systems, or processes. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare detailed compliance reports and present complex information clearly to senior stakeholders and regulators. Skilled in interpreting data from compliance activities (e.g. suspicious matter reports, risk assessments) to inform strategic compliance improvements. The ability to build internal and industry networks quickly. Deployment of influencing skills with senior stakeholders. Good commercial awareness. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritise a busy workload. Ability to work autonomously. Excellent verbal, written and face to face communication skills with a variety of staff including senior partners and legal PAs.
• Abilities: Capacity to inspire and guide others, ensuring team alignment with AML/CTF compliance goals while fostering a culture of accountability. Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on AML/CTF trends. Aptitude for identifying compliance challenges and operational inefficiencies, devising effective, practical solutions tailored to the firm’s needs. Ability to rapidly adjust compliance strategies and operational processes in response to regulatory changes or new risk typologies. Proficiency in teaching and explaining operational systems and technologies used in AML/CTF processes to staff at varying skill levels. Develops innovative solutions by valuing diversity of thought, expertise and experience. Brings a positive energy to the way they work and inspires this in others. Draws on internal networks to bring people with the right skills and expertise together to develop solutions.

Builds High Performing Teams: Builds highly engaged teams that are diverse and inclusive and can excel in a range of situations. Creates an environment that encourages personal accountability and builds the confidence of others by highlighting their strengths and achievements.

Focuses on Clients: Always acts with the firm’s clients in mind. Prioritises initiatives that will positively impact the client experience and their business. Develops solutions that balance client needs and the sustainable profitability of the firm. Takes active steps to cultivate and maintain an excellent reputation in the market.

Innovates: Leads and influences change. Seeks out market trends and introduces relevant ideas for competitive advantage. Envisions ways for the firm to differentiate itself and is driven to achieve this.

Behaviours: Uphold the highest ethical standards and integrity in all compliance activities. Demonstrates a collaborative mindset, working effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders to achieve compliance objectives. Ability to remain composed and effective under pressure, navigating complex compliance challenges while maintaining focus and clarity. Creates an environment that values diversity, engages all stakeholders, and ensures respect in all compliance-related activities.

Attributes: Proactive and strategic thinker with a strong focus on detail and accuracy. Proficient at fostering an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives. A strong advocate for compliance as a driver of integrity and trust in the financial system.

General Counsel and Risk

Working Pattern: Full time

Location: London

Contract type: Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.