Head of Risk & Compliance, International

Reporting to the General Counsel’s office, this position will have overall responsibility for compliance and risk management across the Firm’s international offices, including London, Brussels, Dublin, Dubai and Tokyo. The role serves as the Firm’s international subject matter expert on anti‑money laundering (AML), counter‑terrorist financing (CTF), anti‑bribery and corruption, sanctions, and enterprise risk management. The Head of Compliance and Risk, International, will lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the Firm’s international compliance framework, including AML/KYC oversight, matter risk analysis, regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and the management of ethical, reputational and operational risk arising from the Firm’s international engagements and business relationships. The role includes responsibility for SRA compliance, data protection obligations under UK and EU GDPR, conflicts and matter opening management, and other regulatory requirements applicable to each international office. Additionally, the role encompasses secondary responsibilities such as assisting with client RFPs in conjunction with business development and reviewing client terms of engagement.

Primary

• Serve as the Firm’s international AML/CTF expert and designated subject matter authority, with primary responsibility for the design, implementation and oversight of the Firm’s AML compliance programme across all international offices.
• Provide, develop and implement matter risk analysis which supports the assessment of legal, regulatory and reputational risk arising from the Firm’s new and ongoing engagements, business relationships, and Firm matters across all international offices (London, Brussels, Dublin, Dubai and Tokyo).
• Advise, analyse and respond to queries on issues of AML, CTF and sanctions, including KYC, Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), source of funds, source of wealth, Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), and complex ownership structures.
• Maintain and regularly update AML, CTF and KYC policies, procedures and controls to ensure they reflect current legislation, regulatory guidance (including the SRA, FATF, and relevant local regulators), and best practice.
• Lead and oversee the Firm’s international AML risk assessment process, identifying and mitigating money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions risks specific to each jurisdiction.
• Liaise with the Firm’s MLRO and, where applicable, serve in an MLRO-support capacity for the international offices.
• Arrange, deliver and implement regular AML/KYC training to all partners and employees across international offices, tailoring content to jurisdictional requirements as needed.
• Develop and maintain the Firm’s enterprise risk framework for international operations, including identification, assessment, monitoring and mitigation of legal, regulatory, reputational and operational risks.
• Conduct and document periodic risk assessments across the international office network, reporting findings and recommendations to Firm leadership. Keep stakeholders updated regularly by participating in risk and compliance meetings and producing management information on the international compliance risk profile.
• Monitor new regulations, legislative developments and regulatory guidance across all relevant jurisdictions (including the UK, EU, UAE and Japan), and where necessary attend seminars and conferences to keep current.
• Advise Firm leadership and relevant stakeholders on the impact of regulatory changes on the Firm’s international operations and implement required policy and procedural updates accordingly.
• Review and update suppliers’ contracts and terms; NDAs, outside counsel/client own terms, and engagement letters across the international offices, ensuring all agreements reflect applicable local legal and regulatory requirements and any changes thereto.
• Consider risks when using new software or AI, undertaking a full assessment where necessary. Keep stakeholders updated regularly by participating in regular risk and compliance meetings.
• Ensure the Firm adheres to all SRA regulations and guidelines for the London office, including renewing Practising Certificates, and serve as the primary point of contact for all SRA standards and regulatory questions.
• Coordinate and ensure compliance with the applicable regulatory regimes for each international office, including those of the Brussels Bar, the Law Society of Ireland and the DFSA (Dubai), as relevant.
• Liaise with the Firm’s General Counsel, COFA, COLP and MLRO on all of the Firm’s regulatory reporting obligations across international offices.
• Provide guidance and training to all partners and employees on applicable regulatory standards across jurisdictions. Lead on all international regulatory and reporting audits.
• Identify and manage any potential conflicts of interest in connection with new clients, new matters and new parties.
• Review Outside Counsel Guidelines provided by clients and work with the Firm’s conflicts attorneys and wider team. Provide support and guidance to partners and employee on conflicts resolution.

Secondary

• Ensure the Firm is compliant with UK GDPR, EU GDPR (including for the Brussels and Dublin offices), and applicable data protection laws in Dubai and Japan, including investigating data breaches and meeting the Firm’s obligations to report breaches to the Information Commissioner’s Office and equivalent supervisory authorities in other jurisdictions.
• Address Data Subject Access Requests across the international offices, including reviewing documents, redaction and compiling responses as necessary.
• Develop and implement data protection policies and procedures and provide training as required.
• Assist other departments with client RFPs, ensuring the Firm remains compliant with legal and regulatory compliance.
• Review and provide advice on employment contracts to ensure all agreements comply with employment laws and regulations, collaborating and assisting on any HR‑related compliance.

Education

• Qualified solicitor or barrister admitted in England & Wales is strongly preferred. Candidates admitted in another common law jurisdiction will be considered provided they have substantial experience in an England & Wales regulatory environment.

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a senior compliance or legal risk role within an international law firm or comparable professional services environment, with significant experience in AML/CTF compliance in a UK‑regulated context. Previous experience in managing outside counsel relationships.

Special Knowledge

• Expert‑level knowledge of UK and EU AML/CTF legislation and regulatory guidance (including the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (as amended), FATF Recommendations, and SRA AML Standards).
• Strong working knowledge of international sanctions regimes (OFAC, OFSI, EU) and their application in a legal services context. In‑depth knowledge of SRA Codes of Conduct, SRA Standards and Regulations, conflicts management, and data protection law (UK GDPR and EU GDPR).
• Familiarity with the regulatory frameworks applicable to the Firm’s other international offices (Brussels, Dublin, Dubai and Tokyo) is highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Experience with compliance management software and familiarity with InTapp or similar technology. Proficient in use of MS Office applications.

Atrributes

• This position requires excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail and consistency.
• Ability to interact with people at all levels. Self‑starter with ability to prioritise and use own initiative.
• Must be able to work independently and with a team, in a fast paced and demanding environment, with tolerance, flexibility and adaptability; ability to work well, professionally, and closely with business professionals, attorneys and Firm leadership.
• Detail‑oriented with the skill to handle sensitive and/or confidential documents and see projects through to completion.

Working Conditions

• 4 days a week in‑office
• Travel to other office locations as needed
• Job is subject to time pressures and constraints

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and skills required of personnel so classified. The firm reserves the right to revise or modify this job description at any time.