At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and transform client intake and conflicts functions in a dynamic professional services firm.
- Company: Join a leading international professional services firm with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive executive-level salary, comprehensive benefits, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and impact on regulatory compliance and client relationships.
- Why this job: Shape a critical business function and influence strategic decisions at the highest level.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in risk, compliance, or client onboarding within professional services.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Bristol (Hybrid – 3 Days per Week in Central Bristol Office) Senior Leadership Role | Professional Services
A leading international professional services firm is seeking an exceptional Head of Client Intake & Conflicts to lead, shape and transform a critical business function at the heart of the organisation. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced risk, compliance, client onboarding or conflicts professional to take ownership of a firm-wide intake and conflicts function that plays a pivotal role in balancing regulatory excellence, operational efficiency and commercial growth.
Reporting into senior leadership within Risk & Compliance, the successful candidate will provide strategic direction, operational leadership and end-to-end accountability for the client intake, conflicts and matter opening lifecycle. They will lead a team of approximately 50 professionals across Client & Matter Inception (CMI) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML), oversee key regulatory controls, and drive the ongoing evolution of people, processes, technology and service delivery across both UK and international operations.
The Head of Client Intake & Conflicts will be responsible for the vision, strategy and performance of the firm's client onboarding, conflicts and matter inception function, ensuring that new business is assessed, approved and onboarded efficiently, consistently and in line with the organisation's regulatory obligations and risk appetite. This role combines strategic leadership with operational oversight and will suit someone who enjoys influencing at the highest levels of an organisation while remaining close enough to the operation to drive meaningful change.
The successful candidate will:
- Own and lead the end-to-end client intake, conflicts and matter opening service, from instruction through to onboarding and associated risk clearances.
- Define and deliver the strategic roadmap for the function, aligning operational capability with wider business objectives.
- Lead, inspire and develop a team of approximately 50 professionals across CMI and AML through a multi-layer management structure, creating a high-performing and inclusive culture.
- Act as the senior escalation point for complex, high-profile and sensitive conflicts, onboarding and work acceptance matters.
- Partner closely with senior stakeholders across Risk, Compliance, Finance, Operations and the legal business to ensure seamless service delivery.
- Drive major transformation initiatives, including process redesign, technology optimisation and data-driven improvement programmes.
- Oversee relationships with international offices, promoting consistency, governance and best practice across multiple jurisdictions.
- Ensure the firm's approach to conflicts management, AML, sanctions, financial crime, data protection and professional conduct remains robust, proportionate and commercially focused.
This position requires a proven leader who can combine technical expertise with commercial awareness and exceptional stakeholder management skills. Applicants are likely to bring:
- Significant experience leading a client intake, conflicts, client onboarding, AML, financial crime, work acceptance or related risk function within a law firm or professional services environment.
- Experience leading sizeable operational teams, ideally through multiple management layers, with responsibility for service delivery, performance and employee engagement.
- Deep expertise in conflicts management and client acceptance processes, together with a strong understanding of regulatory and risk frameworks.
- Experience operating at senior leadership level, with the credibility to influence partners, executive stakeholders and business leaders.
- A track record of leading large-scale operational change, transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong people leadership skills, including developing managers, building capability and creating high-performing teams.
- Experience of market-leading intake and conflicts technologies such as Intapp and Elite/3E, alongside a data-led approach to service management and performance improvement.
- Sound commercial judgement and the ability to balance regulatory requirements with business objectives.
- Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to challenge, influence and build consensus across a complex stakeholder environment.
This appointment offers the opportunity to shape a strategically important function within a highly respected international organisation. The successful candidate will have genuine influence over how client intake, conflicts management and risk services evolve, while leading major transformation initiatives and contributing to broader business strategy. The role offers significant visibility across the firm and the chance to work closely with senior leadership on matters that directly impact client relationships, regulatory compliance and sustainable growth.
Location: Central Bristol (hybrid working with an expectation of approximately three days per week in the office)
Team Size: Approximately 50 professionals across Client & Matter Inception and AML functions
Type: Permanent
Salary: Competitive executive-level package commensurate with experience, including comprehensive benefits.
This role requires an experienced senior leader who can operate confidently at executive and Board level while providing strategic and operational leadership to a large, multi-disciplinary function. The successful candidate will inherit strong technical expertise across Client Intake, Conflicts and AML, including dedicated subject matter experts and experienced managers. As such, the emphasis is on leadership, governance, stakeholder management, service excellence and transformation rather than being the firm's technical expert in every aspect of AML or conflicts.
Candidates are likely to bring:
- Experience leading large operational, risk, onboarding, compliance or client acceptance functions within a law firm, professional services organisation or regulated financial services environment.
- A track record of managing sizeable teams through multiple layers of leadership, creating high-performing cultures and delivering service excellence at scale.
- Experience operating at executive, Board or partner level, with the credibility and presence to influence senior stakeholders and drive strategic decision-making.
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to balance risk management, regulatory requirements and business growth objectives.
- Experience leading organisational change, process improvement, technology transformation or shared services operations.
- A data-driven approach to service management, workforce planning and operational performance.
While experience of legal conflicts, client onboarding or matter inception would be advantageous, the organisation is open to considering exceptional candidates from wider professional services or financial services backgrounds who have led comparable risk, compliance, client onboarding, KYC, financial crime or operational functions. This is an opportunity for a strategic leader to shape the future direction of a critical business function, rather than a role requiring day-to-day technical ownership of AML or conflicts matters.
Head of Client Intake & Conflicts in Bath employer: Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions
As a leading international professional services firm based in Central Bristol, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With a strong focus on professional development, our team members benefit from extensive growth opportunities and the chance to lead transformative initiatives within a supportive environment. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while maintaining a collaborative atmosphere, making us an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
Contact Details:
Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Client Intake & Conflicts in Bath
✨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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Client Intake & Conflicts in Bath
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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions. 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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions
✨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 Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
