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: Enjoy a competitive executive-level salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a vibrant team of around 50 professionals.
- Why this job: Shape a critical business function and influence strategic decisions at the highest level.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience 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 Opportunity
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.
About You
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.
Why This Role?
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.
Ideal Background
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 Newport employer: Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions
Join a leading international professional services firm in Bristol, where you will have the opportunity to shape and transform a critical business function as the Head of Client Intake & Conflicts. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and a commitment to regulatory excellence, this role offers a competitive executive-level package and the chance to lead a diverse team of professionals in a hybrid working environment that promotes work-life balance.
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 Newport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, recent news, and challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the job description. Highlight your leadership skills and any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive transformation and manage teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the position and reinforces your professionalism.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Client Intake & Conflicts in Newport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in client intake, conflicts, and risk management. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Leadership Skills:As this is a senior leadership role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire teams. Share examples of how you've developed high-performing cultures and driven transformation initiatives in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and experiences. We appreciate straightforward communication!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Redland Search - Professional Recruitment Solutions
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of the Head of Client Intake & Conflicts. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of client onboarding, conflicts management, and AML processes. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with the role and demonstrate your strategic vision.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this is a senior leadership role, be prepared to discuss your experience in leading large teams and driving transformation initiatives. Share specific examples of how you've inspired and developed your team, and how you've successfully managed change in previous roles. This will highlight your capability to lead a multi-disciplinary function effectively.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
Given the importance of stakeholder management in this role, think about past experiences where you've influenced senior stakeholders or navigated complex relationships. Be ready to discuss how you would approach collaboration with various departments like Risk, Compliance, and Finance to ensure seamless service delivery.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
The firm is looking for someone who can balance regulatory requirements with business objectives. Prepare to discuss how you've made decisions that positively impacted both compliance and commercial growth in your previous roles. This will show that you have the sound commercial judgement needed for this position.
