Risk & Ethics Advisor in Belfast

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join an established and well-regarded risk & ethics team in the legal sector. R&E supports all our offices/practice areas and enjoys a position at the heart of the business. Our aim is to ensure that the firm meets all its regulatory and legislative objectives and to ensure risk management processes are embedded into the firm’s culture whilst championing the commercial needs of our business.

The Risk & Ethics Advisor will collaborate closely with the firm’s R&E team including the Head of Risk and the Head of Data Protection to embed a culture of professional practice and support the provision of advice on a wide range of legal, regulatory and ethical issues impacting the firm. This role offers an opportunity to build and develop knowledge and skills throughout a broad range of risk and compliance topics, with split responsibilities across risk and data protection.

The Risk & Ethics Directorate (‘R&E’) is responsible for all areas of compliance and risk management for Shoosmiths including developing firmwide policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory compliance requirements, and to promote best practice. The team is split between the Central Compliance Unit who are responsible for the onboarding of all clients/matters (including conflicts and AML), Risk Management, and Data Protection.

Main responsibilities:

• Support Senior Managers and the wider Risk & Ethics Directorate with handling a wide range of queries relating to anti-financial crime, conflicts, regulatory matters, data protection, supplier questionnaires, claims and complaints.
• Assist with processing data protection rights requests, risk assessments and maintenance of relevant registers.
• Support change initiatives within R&E by assisting with process improvements and implementation of agreed changes.
• Provide support in delivering clear and practical regulatory and compliance guidance to internal stakeholders, seeking input from senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Contribute to firmwide projects, including supporting the implementation of systems (e.g. onboarding tools), as directed.
• Assist in the development of training materials and support the delivery of training sessions across the firm.
• Participate in R&E projects, supporting the delivery of specific workstreams and tasks to help manage and mitigate risk across the business.
• Assist with policy updates as instructed by senior management.
• Assist with research, analysis and progression of matters under supervision.

This job description encompasses the main duties expected of the role but the successful candidate may be involved in all areas of risk management from time to time according to the needs of the directorate.

Skills and qualifications:

Required:

• Two years' experience working in risk and compliance within a professional services firm.
• Good working knowledge and experience resolving conflict of interest issues.
• Knowledge of legislation affecting solicitors including SRA rules and data protection.

Desirable:

• Experience assisting with internal and external investigations, including responding to queries from The Legal Ombudsman, ICO, SRA or another appropriate regulator.

Personal Attributes:

• A passion for risk & ethics including the commercial benefits compliance brings to a large organisation.
• Energetic, self-motivated and with a can-do attitude.
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills both verbally and written able to communicate at all levels.
• Confident in using judgment appropriately and seek guidance where needed.
• Able to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Focused on quality of output as well as speed of delivery.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Demonstrates commercial acumen and a pragmatic attitude.

Background Checks:

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. These checks will include employment references covering the last 5 years, proof of ID, proof of address covering the last 5 years, Personnel Vetting credit search (which will only highlight insolvency or County Court Judgments - should any adverse data show on the Personnel Vetting search then any offer of employment made will be withdrawn). Terrorism Check (against data supplied by the Bank of England) and a DBS check previously known as a Criminal Records check.

The Firm:

Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.

We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.

Shoosmiths is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term conditions. The Disability Confident scheme replaced the Two Ticks Positive about Disabled People scheme. We had been accredited as a two tick employer for many years - Disability Confident broadens and develops that original commitment, and demonstrates we have adopted a proactive approach to employing disabled people and developing their abilities.

As part of our accreditation, we commit to interviewing any applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for each vacancy. In some circumstances we may only be able to interview those that best meet the essential criteria due to the volume of applications received.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to and usable by everyone. If you have a disability or long-term condition and would like to receive information in a different way, or need us to make any adjustments, changes or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please get in touch with the Talent Acquisition team. We can consider your needs and requirements, and how we can assist you to apply for our roles. For example, we can provide a copy of our application via email so that you can complete it using your own accessibility software.