At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Risk & Compliance function and shape the firm's risk strategy.
- Company: Prestigious US law firm with a strong focus on compliance and governance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunity to influence key decisions.
- Other info: High visibility role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on risk management in a dynamic legal environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in legal risk and compliance, with strong regulatory knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
A prestigious US law firm is seeking an experienced Head of Risk to lead its London-based Risk & Compliance function. This is a highly visible leadership role that offers the opportunity to shape and enhance the firm's risk strategy, governance framework, and regulatory compliance programme. Working closely with senior management, partners and key regulatory function holders, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the firm operates within a robust and commercially effective risk management environment.
The successful candidate will be a confident and pragmatic risk professional with strong regulatory knowledge and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the business.
The Role
As Head of Risk, you will provide strategic oversight across the firm's risk and compliance activities, ensuring effective management of regulatory, operational and reputational risk. You will drive best practice across the business while fostering a strong culture of compliance and risk awareness.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee the firm's risk and compliance framework, ensuring adherence to SRA regulations, AML requirements, sanctions, GDPR and other regulatory obligations.
- Act as a trusted adviser to partners and senior leadership, providing pragmatic guidance on complex risk, compliance and governance matters.
- Drive risk assessments, compliance monitoring, investigations and incident management, ensuring effective controls and appropriate escalation of issues.
- Develop, enhance and implement policies, procedures and training programmes to promote a strong culture of compliance and risk awareness across the firm.
- Manage and develop the risk function, building strong relationships across the business while fostering continuous improvement and operational excellence.
About You
To be successful in this role, you will possess:
- Significant experience within a legal risk and compliance function, ideally gained in an international law firm.
- Strong working knowledge of SRA Standards and Regulations, AML legislation, sanctions compliance, GDPR, client due diligence and conflicts management.
- Proven experience advising senior stakeholders on complex regulatory and risk matters.
- Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility at partnership level.
- Strong commercial awareness and sound judgement when balancing business objectives with regulatory obligations.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are not able to respond to all enquiries. If you have not received a response within 72 hours, please assume you have not been shortlisted at this stage, however thank you for taking the time to apply.
Head of Risk - US Law Firm in Islington employer: Ryder Reid Legal Limited
Join a dynamic law firm in the heart of London, where you will be part of a supportive and collaborative work culture that values your contributions. With opportunities for professional growth and development, this role as a Junior Legal PA offers a chance to enhance your skills while working alongside experienced legal professionals. Enjoy competitive benefits and a vibrant office environment that fosters teamwork and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Risk - US Law Firm in Islington
✨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 Ryder Reid Legal Limited looking for candidates who are engaged and informed.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Risk - US Law Firm in Islington
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 Ryder Reid Legal Limited. 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 Ryder Reid Legal Limited
✨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 Ryder Reid Legal Limited’s stance on compliance. A shared vision can really resonate with interviewers looking for fit as much as skill!
