Risk & Compliance Officer in London

Risk & Compliance Officer sought to provide practice support to our offices on all aspects of risk, regulatory compliance and conflicts.

The Risk & Compliance Department at HFW is led by the London-based Risk & Compliance Partner and is currently structured as follows:

• Risk Legal team: Led by the Head of Legal Risk. Comprises six Risk Lawyers globally (4 in London, 1 in Hong Kong and 1 in Singapore), two paralegals and an Information Governance Manager. The Heads of Business Acceptance and Conflicts are also members of, and work closely with, the Risk Legal team. Handles complex financial crime and conflict of interest issues. Advises on SRA/regulatory compliance globally, data protection and client/supplier terms.
• Business Acceptance team: Led by the Head of Business Acceptance and deputised by the Compliance Manager (EMEA) and Compliance Manager (APAC). Comprises 18 Risk & Compliance Officers (RCOs) globally (9 in London, 2 in Hong Kong, 4 in Singapore, 1 in Piraeus, 1 in Dubai and 1 in Melbourne) and a Risk & Compliance Assistant. Responsible for opening new matters in the Business Intake system (IntApp). Ensures completion of matter inception steps (conflict clearance, CDD, engagement letters, fee estimates). Provides advice on client and matter risk assessments. Sets up information barriers using IntApp Walls. Run (but do not analyse) conflict checks in the IntApp system (APAC only).
• Conflicts team: Led by the Head of Conflicts. A team of two researchers. Running (but not analysing) conflict checks in the IntApp system. The Head of Conflicts handles complex and confidential conflicts queries with support from the Risk Legal team.
• Compliance Systems Manager: Manages the firm’s compliance systems, particularly IntApp. Develops and upgrades systems as needed to reflect regulatory developments.

The role: To provide practice support to our offices on all aspects of risk, regulatory compliance and conflicts. The successful candidate for this role will be a member of the Risk & Compliance team, which is headquartered in the London office.

Key responsibilities: The role will include but will not be limited to:

• Matter Inception: assisting in on-boarding new clients and matters and ensuring that all details are correct in accordance with regulatory standards and firm policy.
• Anti-Money Laundering: conducting client due diligence, reviewing KYC documentation and undertaking AML and sanctions searches on clients as appropriate and escalating any issues to the MLRO.
• Terms of Engagement: assisting the firm in maintaining a uniform application of engagement terms as well as reviewing, advising on and recording client imposed terms.
• On-going monitoring and risk assessment: reviewing any changes to the client which may have an impact on client or matter risk and dealing with these in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Matter Maintenance: ensuring that matter information is kept accurate and up-to-date.
• Compliance reporting, assisting in the production of spreadsheets to monitor client and matter inception process status. Help run weekly / monthly reports.
• Confidentiality: assisting in setting up and amending information barriers and insider lists as required.
• Training: providing internal training to the team and wider firm in order to embed best practice.
• Projects: undertaking research and other projects as needed to improve matter inception, policy and process.
• Audit: assisting Risk Lawyers in preparation of annual internal file audits.
• Assisting other teams: Revenue & Collections, Marketing, and Conflicts as necessary. Responding to ad hoc requests as directed by the business.

Key skills & experience required: The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate excellent administrative skills, as well as the ability to develop strong working relationships with lawyers and business services staff across the firm. It will be essential to gain a rapid understanding of the firm’s business in order to support the conflict decisions that need to be made as proactively as possible. A minimum of two year’s experience in a compliance function within a regulated organisation, ideally in a law firm. Law degree or GDL qualification, with some legal work experience. AML experience. Demonstrated ability to work within a framework of regulatory compliance. The capability, after training if necessary, to identify conflicts and risk within a law firm. Resilience and the ability to develop and maintain strong internal and external relationships, while working both autonomously and as part of a global team. The ability to work in an environment where quality output is paramount. Analytical and organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects. Strong attention to detail and proven ability to handle confidential information in a professional and discreet manner. A high level of proficiency in MS Outlook, Word and Excel.

Additional information: Kindly note that this job description is not contractual. It will be reviewed periodically and may be amended or altered to meet the needs of the firm. HFW aims to ensure equality of opportunity and we are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff. All applications will be considered only on merit and the applicant’s suitability to meet the requirements of the role. HFW collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants to manage its recruitment process. The firm is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.