Owen Reed is looking to recruit a visionary Compliance Officer to join top law firm in London.

As a Compliance Officer in the Risk and Compliance department your role is to work with the
Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Money Laundering Reporting Officer, the Risk & Compliance
Manager, the General Counsel and Money Laundering Compliance Officer, partners and fee
earners to assist with KYC and to ensure that the firm complies with regulations relating to
money laundering, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Terrorism Act 2000 and any amending
legislation.
In addition, the Compliance Officer will be responsible for checking new client/matter requests
for money laundering, credit worthiness and other client verification and acceptance
procedures that the firm operates. You will also assist the Risk & Compliance Manager and
MLCO with other compliance and regulatory issues as required.
As the firm grows, the team will take on further responsibilities, including conflict checking,
and the Compliance Officer will be expected to help to facilitate a smooth transition and assist
with coordinating the process.

Responsibilities include:

• Opening new clients and matters using Instapp
• Carrying out KYC checks with the addition of risk analysis relating to each client, ensuring all new clients are appropriately vetted and checks are carried out in line with the firm's compliance requirements.
• Updating KYC for existing clients
• Understanding enhanced due diligence (where required) and researching high risk instructions and preparing reports for the Reputation & Risk Committee to consider
• Maintaining, reviewing and updating the high risk client register
• Supporting the Compliance Assistants with their training and development
• Working with GC, COO and MLRO to train all partners and staff in best practice
• Providing induction training to all new joiners
• assisting the drafting and preparing compliance policies and updates as necessary
• Assisting the GC on other compliance and regulatory processes and procedures as required
• Dealing with queries from the finance team, partners, fee earners and other staff relating to money laundering checks
• Keeping accurate and up-to-date records of all contacts with partners/fee earners and ensure there is full audit trail
• Supporting the Risk & Compliance Manager on day-to-day tasks and projects (both new and ongoing)
• Maintaining excellent knowledge of client checking and money laundering procedures and relevant regulation
• Assisting the COO, Risk & Compliance Manager and GC with the develipment of the firm's AML processes and procedures

General responsibilities within this role include:

• Dealing with general internal and external client queries; and administrative duties such as filing, ensureing that all filing is accurate and up to date at all times.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Our ideal candidate will have:

• • A credible and proven track record of success within a compliance and AML role, ideally within the legal sector or other professional services environment.
  • Good knowledge of AML requirements for non-UK-based clients, both European and worldwide.
  • Good understanding of running conflicts searches and analyzing potential conflicts and issues.
  • Forward-looking approach, demonstrating initiative and taking ownership of work.
  • Good academics, including a minimum 2:1 at degree level, with strong GCSE and A-Level results (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Two to four years’ experience of working within a law firm in a busy AML role.
  • Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages. Working knowledge of an Accounts package (e.g. CMS Aderant Expert) would also be advantageous.
  • A high level of numeracy (as indicated by strong academics in mathematics).
  • A calm and unflappable nature, with the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
  • A professional, willing, and proactive approach, with keen attention to detail.
  • Good planning and organizational skills and able to manage multiple responsibilities and projects with a proven ability to multi-task.
  • The ability to work with limited supervision, with good time-management skills.
  • A demonstrable proven track record of excellent direct client contact and client care.