Head of Compliance

Shakespeare Martineau is a Top 50 law firm that combines creativity, commerciality and clarity. We work with blue-chip companies, leading organisations, high street brands and individuals across the country.

As enterprising and original thinkers, we’re driven to create exceptional experiences for our clients and our people. We handle personal and business-critical issues and game-changing deals across many dynamic sectors. It’s stimulating and rewarding.

We’re hardworking and deeply ambitious about creating opportunities for our employees; to move forward and achieve our ambition together. We provide an environment in which you’re supported to reach your potential.

Our people have a blend of excellent technical and business skills with the talent to do things differently.

Here you’ll find top quality work, cutting edge training, high profile clients, and supportive colleagues. We think it could be time you joined us.

To provide truly outstanding client service we work as one team.  Our Business Operations Group is made up of business professionals who work with our legal professionals to provide market leading expertise to our clients.  The Groups include; Finance, Operations, HR, Marketing, IT, Risk and the Executive Leadership team.

Our Risk team of around 8 people is based in the Birmingham and Leicester offices.  The team takes a proactive approach to risk and is split into 3 core functions: prevention, detection and response.  The team work closely with the firm to ensure adherence to policies and procedures and compliance with quality standards.  Work includes compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct, Anti Money Laundering, ISO27001 & 9001 maintenance, data protection, SRA renewal, cyber security, training and claims and complaints management.

The role:

You will provide a high quality service to the firm and its clients as the Head of Risk. This role will be based in the Birmingham office, with travel to other offices when required.

Your key duties will include:

• providing, in conjunction with our COLP, in-depth advice to all levels of the firm on anti-money laundering, conflicts of interest, and all general SRA Code of Conduct issues
• advising on customer due diligence queries, sanctions and PEP issues in relation to client on-boarding
• liaising with regulatory authorities where required
• drafting and revising policies and procedures in order to maintain best practice
• writing as well as delivering training and guidance on all aspects of regulatory requirements
• assisting with the coordination of ISO accreditations and maintenance
• assisting with the renewal of the firm’s professional indemnity and other related insurances
• assisting with the resolution of service and conduct complaints
• leading on third party and client audits
• providing in depth advice regarding data protection (including re Subject Access Requests)

Skills and experience you will have:

• experience in a similar role in a law firm
• a deep understanding of all key aspects of governance, and experience of implementing regulatory requirements in the legal profession
• previous experience managing or supervising a team
• operational experience including working with other teams to deliver projects

Key competencies you will need:

• the ability to provide well-reasoned, practical and pragmatic solutions with clarity, speed and efficiency
• a high level of business acumen, and the ability to think from a client perspective about how solutions can be applied in a practical way
• strong technical and analytical skills, with excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• strong interpersonal skills and the ability to handle challenging and complex situations
• commitment, flexibility, and a team player approach
• the ability to manage and lead a team

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. Details of the checks can be found here.

Shakespeare Martineau is a committed equal opportunities employer. We seek to attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures. We value and respect individuality and encourage a culture within our business where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths and experiences. Everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.