Senior Risk & Compliance Specialist in London

Overview

Montagu Evans is a UK property consultancy that helps clients unlock value from complexity, because that’s where the most meaningful opportunities live. Our purpose is to bring clarity, creativity, and conviction to the complex. We are experts who collaborate to create value, not just preserve it and our team is built for impact, not oversight. We specialise in high-value, complex assets across the property lifecycle, where political, technical or commercial challenges demand a joined-up approach.

THE TEAM/DEPARTMENT

This role sits within the Risk & Compliance team, which plays a key role in supporting the firm's governance and regulatory compliance framework. As a property consultancy and estate agency business, the firm is supervised by HMRC for Anti-Money Laundering regulatory compliance purposes. The principal purpose of this role is to take ownership of risk-based Customer Due Diligence (CDD) for regulated work and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks for all other clients, ensuring the business can onboard clients and progress instructions efficiently while meeting regulatory and policy requirements. The role will also be expected to support in other general compliance activities, including supporting the management of RICS/HMRC AML related record‑keeping, new starter compliance training, annual mandatory training, policy management and regulatory horizon scanning.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The role requires strong practical knowledge of HMRC AML requirements and proven experience applying them to complex cases, including corporate groups, trusts, offshore structures, high‑risk jurisdictions, politically exposed persons, sanctions screening and enhanced due diligence. The successful candidate will be expected to exercise sound judgement, identify red flags, challenge incomplete or unclear information, and escalate concerns appropriately. It also requires a strong communicator who can explain the key elements of the AML regime in clear, practical terms, translate regulatory requirements into proportionate due diligence steps, and help colleagues understand what is needed and why. A key part of the role is to reduce unnecessary friction between fee‑earners and compliance processes by providing pragmatic guidance, setting clear expectations and supporting efficient client onboarding. This is a hands‑on role with significant day‑to‑day interaction across the business. It requires someone who can manage a busy pipeline of matters, work confidently with internal stakeholders and external counterparties, and help embed high standards of CDD/KYC compliance through clear advice, pragmatic support and continuous improvement of processes. The role reports into the Head of Finance and Risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead the timely completion of risk-based CDD checks on clients and counterparties to new transactions in compliance with HMRC AML requirements for Estate Agency Businesses and the firm's internal policies.
• Undertake KYC checks for non-regulated services in accordance with the firm's established procedures, applying a proportionate and risk-based approach.
• Assess ownership and control structures, source supporting information, and verify complex corporate entities, trusts, offshore vehicles and other high-risk client types.
• Carry out sanctions, PEP and adverse media screening, evaluate findings, and determine when enhanced due diligence or further escalation is required.
• Engage confidently with internal stakeholders, clients and counterparties to obtain the information and evidence required to complete CDD/KYC checks to a high standard.
• Conduct ongoing AML monitoring and periodic reviews of existing clients, ensuring records remain accurate, current and appropriately risk assessed.
• Identify suspicious activity, red flags or other money laundering concerns and escalate them promptly to the Head of Compliance / Deputy MLRO with clear supporting rationale.
• Manage a portfolio of matters proactively, balancing regulatory requirements with commercial timelines to avoid unnecessary delays to the business.
• Provide practical compliance advice and support to colleagues across the business on onboarding requirements, AML risk issues and CDD/KYC expectations.
• Support the development and delivery of CDD/KYC and AML training for new joiners and existing staff where required.
• Keep up to date with internal and external regulatory developments and contribute to continuous improvement of the firm's client onboarding and due diligence processes.
• Support broader compliance activity across the firm, including policy review, control monitoring and helping maintain a robust compliance framework.
• Assist with the management and ongoing maintenance of ISO certifications, including coordinating evidence, monitoring actions and supporting periodic reviews.
• Provide support on data privacy matters, including helping respond to queries, coordinating actions and promoting good data handling practices across the business.
• Deputise from time to time for the Head of Finance and Risk as the voice of compliance in selected meetings, working groups and project settings, providing clear and pragmatic compliance input.

Qualifications

• In depth knowledge of HMRC AML regulatory compliance requirements for Estate Agency Businesses and their practical application within a commercial environment.
• Strong understanding of customer risk assessment and property sector money laundering risk indicators.
• Proven experience conducting risk-based AML KYC/CDD checks on individuals and corporate entities, including complex group structures, trusts, beneficial ownership chains and high-risk clients.
• Experience of conducting enhanced due diligence, adverse media screening, sanctions screening and handling PEP and other high-risk findings appropriately.
• Confidence in reviewing information critically, identifying red flags and gaps, and making sound risk-based recommendations and escalations.
• Ability to work effectively with stakeholders across the business, challenge constructively where needed, and obtain required information in a timely manner.