Head of Business Acceptance

What we will offer: We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all-round performance.

Team Structure: In recent years, we have substantially grown our business acceptance function with a view to better responding to both the Firm's needs and the applicable regulatory regimes. The Business Acceptance team, currently based in London, Singapore, and Hong Kong (and soon to be in Dubai), is responsible for all business acceptance matters across our international network. Key responsibilities of the Business Acceptance team include the operation of new business intake systems and processes including new client and matter opening, conflict checking, AML, CDD, risk assessments, data collection, quality control, and monitoring of non-standard engagement terms (the latter together with the Legal and Regulatory Risk team). The Business Acceptance team also works closely with our client-facing teams who are the principal point of contact with our clients on compliance and related matters.

Overall job role: The role of the Head of Business Acceptance is to lead and manage the Business Acceptance team and related functions in addition to playing a substantive role in leading and developing the Firm's compliance management processes in conjunction with the Firm's leadership team as appropriate, as well as taking the lead on ad-hoc compliance projects. The role is based in London (where the Firm is headquartered) but the remit is international with the Head of Business Acceptance having responsibility for business acceptance matters in all our offices. The Head of Business Acceptance will be expected to work closely with teams in all of the Firm's offices and travel to them as needed. The Head of Business Acceptance will report to the Firm's General Counsel and will work closely with the Head of Legal & Regulatory Risk, the Firm's MLRO and MLCO, as well as the COLP and COFA where needed. The Head of Business Acceptance will be a member of the Firm's Risk Committee and will work closely with the risk partners in each practice group and office in addition to working with and advising partners, fee earners, and other staff in respect of a range of compliance issues. The Head of Business Acceptance will also work closely with and support other Heads of Business Services on cross-discipline projects.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead the Business Acceptance team (currently comprising an AML & Sanctions Manager, a Business Acceptance Manager, five Senior Compliance Officers, and fifteen Compliance Officers) to ensure a high level of professional expertise and service is provided to all internal clients in all offices.
• Manage, mentor, support, and develop team members.
• Act as a point of escalation on complex regulatory conflict of interest queries and assist the Firm's Conflicts Committee in resolving commercial conflict queries.
• Advise on the implementation of information barriers including the creation of insider lists in accordance with Market Abuse Regulation guidelines.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of current AML related guidance, consultations, and best practices including that issued by the SRA, the Law Society, the Financial Action Task Force, and updates in relevant jurisdictions.
• Work with subject matter specialists, the MLRO, and the MLCO in relation to ongoing reviews of the Firm's AML policies, controls, and procedures.
• Understand and proactively advise the business alongside subject experts as appropriate in relation to obligations under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) alongside the ML regulations.
• Liaise closely with Risk Partners and Money Laundering Reporting Officers across the network to ensure that local regulations are appropriately reflected in the Firm's policies, controls, and processes.
• Work with the Money Laundering Reporting Officer on drafting and submitting Suspicious Activities Reports.
• Lead the development and implementation of upgrades relating to the Firm's business intake software (Intapp Open and Intapp Walls).
• Proactively consider the impact of potential legal and regulatory changes and advancements to ensure that the Firm is able effectively to respond to such changes.
• Oversee the business acceptance global training programme which covers both new joiner training and ongoing periodic training to all people in the business.
• Work closely with the Firm's COFA to ensure the effective management of third-party payment risks and compliance with finance-related legislation.

Attributes/Skills Required:

• Proven extensive experience in Business Acceptance is essential either leading a team or at a senior level.
• Prior experience in an international law firm or other similar professional services businesses is highly desirable.
• A legal qualification or established experience of working in commercial law are preferable but not essential.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience is required.
• Detailed knowledge of the current requirements of UK AML legislation and the SRA Standards and Regulations is essential.
• A problem solver who is able to assess complex and sometimes competing objectives.
• A high level of professional competence, rigour, and judgment combined with a commercial pragmatic approach.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally and to build credibility at all levels in the business.
• Excellent writing skills including the ability to research issues, gather information and evidence, and formulate and document conclusions and recommendations clearly and succinctly.
• Highly motivated, proactive, and energetic - a self-starter who can think and act independently.
• Delivery-focused and resilient; able to deal effectively with and overcome setbacks while remaining calm under pressure.
• Well-organised and able to work to tight deadlines while juggling tangible work product with team management.
• Strong leadership and people management skills able to manage multiple projects and activities concurrently.

About the Firm: Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm committed to creating positive partnerships with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions, and individuals building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world. Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology, and Transportation and Trade. With more than 1500 people including 220 partners across ten offices in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise.