At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure compliance with SRA regulations and manage breach reporting effectively.
- Company: Dynamic legal practice focused on regulatory excellence and compliance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to lead compliance initiatives and engage with regulatory bodies.
- Why this job: Play a crucial role in maintaining legal standards and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: UK solicitor or senior compliance professional with SRA knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The COLP is responsible for ensuring the firm’s day‑to‑day compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Standards and Regulations (excluding Accounts Rules, which sit with the COFA). The COLP takes all reasonable steps to ensure firm‑wide compliance and must promptly report any serious breaches to the SRA.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
- Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Ensure the firm complies with the SRA’s regulatory arrangements (other than Accounts Rules).
- Establish and maintain effective systems and controls to monitor compliance with the SRA Principles and Codes of Conduct for Firms and for individuals.
- Ensure managers, employees, contractors and interest‑holders do not cause or substantially contribute to a breach of the SRA’s regulatory arrangements.
- Maintain clear reporting lines and escalation pathways to implement changes and remedial action.
- Breach Management & Reporting
- Operate a breach‑logging framework; triage, investigate, remediate, and record all breaches; assess seriousness and materiality with reference to SRA guidance and enforcement strategy.
- Make prompt self‑reports to the SRA of any serious breach concerning the firm, its managers, or employees; retain evidence and audit trails of decisions and outcomes.
- Risk Management & Culture
- Lead the compliance risk assessment framework covering key regulatory risks (client care, competence, confidentiality, conflicts, publicity/marketing, transparency rules, supervision).
- Promote an open, speak‑up culture where concerns are raised early; provide timely guidance to partners and teams.
- Policies, Training & Supervision
- Draft, review and update firm policies, procedures and guidance to reflect current SRA requirements and best practice; schedule periodic policy attestations.
- Deliver (or commission) mandatory compliance training (e.g., Codes of Conduct, reporting obligations, complaints handling, confidentiality/data protection interfaces), and track completion.
- Monitor competence and supervision arrangements to ensure legal services are delivered competently and in the clients best interests.
- Interfaces with Financial and Financial‑Crime Compliance
- Work closely with the COFA on cross‑cutting issues and to avoid duplication or gaps between regulatory (COLP) and Accounts Rules (COFA) responsibilities.
- Coordinate with the MLRO/MLCO on AML policies, risk assessment and training to ensure SRA expectations and LSAG‑aligned practices are reflected in firm controls.
- External Engagement
- Act as the principal contact for the SRA on non‑Accounts compliance matters; manage regulatory information requests, thematic reviews, and inspections.
- Monitor regulatory developments and translate them into proportionate changes to systems and procedures.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- UK solicitor or senior compliance professional with deep knowledge of the SRA Standards and Regulations 2019 (Codes of Conduct for Firms and for Solicitors) and the SRA Principles.
- Proven track record designing or operating compliance frameworks within an SRA‑authorised firm, including breach management and reporting.
- Strong risk management, investigation, and stakeholder‑influence skills; ability to operate with authority and independence within governance structures.
- Familiarity with interfaces to COFA/Accounts Rules and AML obligations (working with MLRO/MLCO) in a law‑firm context.
Desirable: Experience preparing for or managing SRA engagement (e.g., enquiries, audits), and delivering firm‑wide compliance training.
Success Measures
- Breach management: Time to triage and close; quality of root‑cause analysis; appropriateness/timeliness of SRA reports.
- Systems effectiveness: Findings from internal audits or SRA engagement; completion rates for training/attestations.
- Risk reduction: Trend reduction in repeat incidents; evidence of proactive policy and process improvements.
Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) in Manchester employer: McHale & Co Solicitors
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Real Estate Finance Solicitor, where your career can flourish in a fast-paced environment. We prioritise employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and foster a collaborative work culture that values clear communication and strong relationships. Located in a vibrant area, our firm offers a unique advantage with access to a diverse client base and the chance to work on exciting real estate finance transactions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) in Manchester
✨Join Compliance Communities
Get involved in compliance and risk communities — both online and offline. Look for forums, LinkedIn groups, or even local meetups where compliance pros hang out. You never know who might drop a job opportunity your way!
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye out for compliance and risk management conferences and workshops in your area. These events are a goldmine for networking, and they often have job boards or recruiters on-site looking for new talent. Plus, it’s a chance to learn what's trending in the field.
✨Leverage Your University Career Services
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, head over to your university's career services. Many companies, including those in compliance, actively recruit fresh talent through these services, so make sure you tap into that resource.
✨Showcase Your Knowledge Online
Start writing articles or blog posts about compliance topics that interest you. Share them on platforms like LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and passion. This not only builds your presence in the field but can also catch the attention of companies like McHale & Co Solicitors looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Understanding of Compliance:In the compliance-risk field, it's super important to showcase your understanding of regulations and risk management frameworks. Highlight any relevant coursework, certifications (like ICA or AML), or even projects that demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to this area. We want to see how you can navigate this complex landscape!
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, try to quantify your achievements. For example, if you've previously worked on a project that improved compliance metrics or reduced risk exposure, give us the numbers! This data-driven approach really stands out to hiring managers in compliance-risk roles.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Relevant Skills:Make sure your CV highlights skills that are particularly relevant to compliance, like attention to detail, analytical thinking, and report writing. Ensure these are easy to spot – consider using bullet points to break down your responsibilities and achievements for maximum impact!
Craft a Motivating Cover Letter:In your cover letter, let us know why you’re excited about the compliance-risk role at McHale & Co Solicitors. Share what motivates you about compliance, and how you believe you can contribute to our mission. This is your chance to showcase not only your skills but also your passion for this important field!
How to prepare for a job interview at McHale & Co Solicitors
✨Master the Regulations
Brush up on key compliance regulations relevant to the industry you're applying to. Familiarising yourself with specific laws and frameworks used in your field will give you an edge during technical questions. Show that you’re not just aware of them but can also apply them—think real-life scenarios!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Compliance roles really focus on analytical skills, so be prepared for case studies or situational questions during the interview. We've got to demonstrate how we approach risk assessments or compliance audits, possibly drawing on examples from past experiences or university projects. Bring some thoughtful case scenarios to discuss!
✨Know Your Tools
Get comfortable with commonly used compliance software and tools. Familiarity with platforms like RSA or MetricStream can really impress during your interview, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running. If you’ve had any experience with them, make sure to highlight that!
✨Align with Company Culture
Since it's a full-time position, show your long-term commitment and interest in the company’s mission and values. Dive into how your ethics and professional philosophy align with McHale & Co Solicitors’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
