Junior Risk and Compliance Officer

The role

The Risk and Compliance team are tasked with delivering the firm’s objectives in reducing risk and achieving across the board compliance with its regulatory and statutory obligations. The team are currently recruiting for a Junior Risk & Compliance officer on a permanent basis.

The primary role of the Junior Risk and Compliance Officer is to assist the firm in achieving its objectives around compliant file opening, in particular Client Due Diligence (CDD) procedures. However, you may be involved in a variety of projects and will be given the opportunity and encouraged to develop your skills and knowledge in other areas.

This role is a junior role within Risk and Compliance however you will be supported to learn the aspects of the role as outlined below, in order to grow and develop your career further.

Role responsibility

This entails but is not limited to:

• Reviewing the CDD provided by lawyers on clients and where necessary seeking clarification or more information from lawyers;
• Obtaining CDD directly from clients and explaining to clients the firm's requirements;
• Approving or rejecting that CDD and providing guidance to lawyers and clients;
• Creating client profiles where necessary;
• Filing and completing risk assessments;
• Assisting in the ongoing monitoring of high risk clients and upkeep of the high risk register;
• Conducting sanctions, PEP and adverse media checks for all clients and counter parties using Accuity and conducting any other checks that are deemed necessary;
• Conducting 'reverse’ sanctions checks by obtaining the new sanctions lists and running the names through the database and reporting on the results;
• Providing ad hoc administrative assistance to the team when required;
• Getting involved in projects that the team undertake.

About you

Ideally you will be able to demonstrate;

• Interest in AML regulations and CDD requirements
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to manage stakeholders expectations in a constructive way
• The ability to work under pressure in a deadline driven environment
• Excellent organisational skills
• A proactive and flexible approach to your work
• An analytical and methodical mindset
• A high level of personal motivation with the desire to learn and develop in your role
• A collaborative approach, enjoying working as part of a team

Desirable but not essential;

• An understanding of CDD requirements for various client types and an understanding of the Money Laundering Regulations.  
• Experience in undertaking the tasks outlined within this job description.
• Previous experience working in a law firm or within the regulatory area.
• Previous experience working with Elite 3E, File Site, Mattersphere, Intapp, Lexis Nexis and Accuity.
• International Compliance Association qualification in Money Laundering.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual holiday
• Permanent Health Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Interest free Season Ticket Loan
• Private Healthcare
• Pension Scheme
• Staff Introductory Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

About us

With almost 200 lawyers in one location, we ensure our clients have the right team to help them get from where they are to where they want to be. We advise major corporates and institutions as well as entrepreneurial, ambitious enterprises which are often privately or family owned, or private equity backed. As well as our significant business law capability, we are one of only a few London-based law firms with a large private wealth offering. Our clients find our straightforward approach a compelling alternative to larger, less personal firms.

Whether you are an ambitious and talented individual wanting to hit the ground running from day one, or an established professional looking for a new opportunity, Howard Kennedy is the firm where you can really make it happen.

We have earned a strong reputation for our exceptional and uniquely talented people who between them deliver outstanding results for clients. In a firm of our size, our strong team dynamic creates a thriving culture of creativity and entrepreneurialism. Howard Kennedy is a pragmatic and non-hierarchical environment where success is shared, and you are proactively encouraged to thrive at your own pace.

Our distinctive culture is built on fairness and respect. Guided by the firm’s values of talk straight, think smart and be yourself, everyone in the firm holds equal value, and everyone plays their role in supporting, encouraging and inspiring colleagues to do their best work.

At the same time, we recognise and reward individualism, celebrating the diversity of our people and supporting them to grow their practice and drive their own career advancement.

As well as client work, there is opportunity to broaden your horizons at the firm with fulfilling pro bono and charity projects. We have a regular social calendar full of wellbeing activities, charitable and social events too.