Onboarding and Compliance Specialist in Exeter

At Stephens Scown, every day is what we make it.

So we make it matter.

Doing notable work for notable clients, building our skills with talented people and having a positive impact on our communities sits at the heart of everything we do.

We don’t just say it, we live it.

Our commitment to our people, clients and communities runs through our DNA.

We are employee-owned, we are a Certified B Corporation TM , and we are featured in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 list – ensuring our culture and ethos of going above and beyond for our people, our colleagues and our communities is recognised nationally.

The Role

Join our Onboarding & Compliance team and play a vital role in delivering an exceptional client experience from day one.

As an Onboarding & Compliance Assistant, you will be at the heart of our client onboarding process, ensuring new clients and matters are set up efficiently, accurately, and in line with regulatory requirements.

Acting as a key link between our legal teams and business support functions, you will help create a seamless journey from initial instruction through to successful onboarding.

• Working closely with colleagues across the Onboarding and Practice Support team, you will:
• Manage the onboarding process from initial handover by the legal teams through to completion, ensuring a smooth and positive experience for clients and colleagues alike.
• Review and process requests for new clients and matters within the Firm’s practice management system with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Conduct and assess first-level conflict checks, identifying potential issues and escalating where appropriate.
• Build strong relationships with legal advisors and support teams, providing guidance and resolving day-to-day onboarding queries.
• Request and review client due diligence documentation, identifying anomalies, risks, or concerns and summarising findings clearly.
• Complete client risk assessments to support the Firm’s compliance and regulatory obligations.
• Maintain the integrity of client and matter records through regular auditing and updates.
• Contribute to management reporting and continuous improvement initiatives within the team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced, professional environment where accuracy, collaboration, and problem-solving are highly valued.

About You

We’re looking for someone who is enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and eager to make a positive impact.

You’ll bring

• A proactive and organised approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work efficiently in a busy environment.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.
• The confidence to take initiative, solve problems, and remain calm when working to deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a natural ability to build positive working relationships.
• A genuine commitment to delivering exceptional service to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Previous experience within a professional service, legal, compliance, or administrative environment would be advantageous, but is not essential.
• What we can offer you
• We offer a competitive salary and an impressive array of benefits and rewards.

Not least of these is through the Firm’s employee-ownership status, where every employee is listened to, helps to realise our vision and receives an equal share in our annual profit-share.

• Our hybrid working model and approach to flexible working enables our people to share their working time between home and the office to support a healthy work / life balance.
• Employee benefits – including 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays and your birthday), private medical insurance, group life assurance, access to a comprehensive range of wellbeing support, and three additional days’ paid leave to support good causes.
• Progression opportunities – including, regular training, qualification options, mentorship, and continued professional development.

Why Stephens Scown?

Working here is something else entirely.

It’s a place where we can step up to tough challenges with people so good they inspire us to be better.

We proudly work in a beautiful part of the country, go beyond expectations and achieve things that matter.

Owning It Matters…

We’re the UK’s first major employee‑owned law firm.

But more than this, we’re people‑centred, people‑powered.

We do what it takes to help each other overcome every challenge.

Whatever’s happening in the world, empowering our people is what matters.

Our communities and colleagues give us a lot to be thankful for.

So we try to make them feel as valued as our clients.

Whether we’re digging deep and giving our time and money, picking up rubbish from our streets and beaches, at Stephens Scown, if it’s right, it matters.

We might have the expertise of a top city firm, but outside our offices there’s not a skyscraper in sight.

Whether we’re getting to know our clients on our local beach or having fun in the park with colleagues, we’re all about living a life enriched by work.

Making the fun matter.

HR Department, Stephens Scown LLP, Curzon House, Southernhay West, Exeter, EX1 1RS

At Stephens Scown, we believe that a diverse workforce delivers better results for our clients and creates a happier workplace where everyone feels valued and appreciated.

Therefore we welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, abilities and beliefs.

All offers of employment at Stephens Scown are subject to Basic level of Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Any information gathered in relation to the DBS process is held in accordance with all relevant data protection regulations.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us.

This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offences.

At interview, or in a separate discussion, we ensure that an open and measured discussion takes place on the subject of any offences or other matter that might be relevant to the position.

Failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the position sought could lead to withdrawal of an offer of employment.

We make every subject of a DBS Disclosure aware of the existence of the DBS Code of Practice.

• This is available on https://www. gov. uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice
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