Job Description

What we will offer

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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. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees

Team Structure

The Business Acceptance team is based in Stephenson Harwood's London, Hong Kong and Singapore offices. The Head of Business Acceptance sits in London, along with the AML and Sanctions Manager, four Senior Compliance Officers and thirteen Compliance Officers. The Business Acceptance team which spans Hong Kong and Singapore consists of a Business Acceptance Manager, a Senior Compliance Officer, four Compliance Officers and a Compliance Assistant.

Main Responsibilities

The role holder will work closely with and report to the Head of Business Acceptance as a senior resource within the team on a 12 month fixed-term contract. Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Supporting the Head of Business Acceptance and deputising in their absence as necessary, including but not limited to BAU operational matters.
• Acting as a senior point of escalation on complex AML issues and as an initial point of escalation on sanctions issues, liaising with fee earning SMEs as needed.
• In conjunction with the Senior Compliance Officers, general responsibility for workload management within the London Business Acceptance team, including oversight of team capacity, work allocation, resourcing for ad-hoc workstreams, absence and leave management, etc.
• Assisting the MLRO to assess internal Suspicious Activity Reports or other referrals to ensure they are reported as appropriate. This will include drafting and submitting Suspicious Activity Reports via the NCA portal and maintaining the SAR register.
• Build knowledge within the global Business Acceptance team regarding AML and sanctions compliance, develop the team's understanding of relevant laws and regulations and ensure team knowledge is kept up to date.
• Maintain, review and update the firm's AML and sanctions policies, controls and procedures, with input from others as needed. This is to be done on an ongoing basis, including in response to (or, where possible, in anticipation of) changes to AML and sanctions laws and regulations.
• Provide advice, guidance and training to fee earners and business services staff on global AML/CTF and sanctions policies, controls and procedures. This will be via a mix of face-to-face and virtual training, as well as maintaining a record of staff completion of e-learning modules pertaining to AML and sanctions.
• Prepare internal reports, including auditing of compliance with the firm's AML and sanctions policies and data management in respect of low / medium / high risk clients and sanctions exposure across the firm.
• Review and update Business Acceptance processes, including screening for PEPs, sanctions, adverse media, ongoing monitoring etc.
• Act as a point of contact, alongside the Head of Business Acceptance, on complex queries relating to client due diligence, conflicts of interest, sanctions and business acceptance.
• Jointly with the Head of Business Acceptance oversee the Business Acceptance training programme provided to all international offices, as well as the internal Business Acceptance team induction and onboarding of new joiners.
• Oversee project management of resources linked to the Business Acceptance team, in particular periodic reviews and improvements to Intapp Open functionality and processes.

The role will also include handling a share of the team's workload where needed (albeit more as a point of escalation), which generally includes:

• New client / matter opening queries utilising Intapp Open software.
• Client Due Diligence and client / matter risk assessment reviews, liaising with fee earners as needed.
• Third party payor and other billing queries as relevant to business acceptance.
• Working closely with other business support functions, including Legal & Regulatory Risk, IT and Accounts.

Some availability out of office hours or on weekends may be required on occasion, to deal with time-sensitive queries.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Strong demonstrated knowledge of and practical experience applying AML and sanctions laws, both those applicable in the UK and other jurisdictions in which the firm operates.
• Relevant experience working at a senior level in an AML /CTF and sanctions compliance environment within the UK is essential, with demonstrated people management experience.
• Good knowledge of all relevant legal and regulatory obligations (including Money Laundering Regulations, POCA, SAMLA, and the SRA Handbook).
• Law degree or qualification in financial crime / related discipline preferred. Recognised AML/Compliance qualification required.
• Confidence in presenting to stakeholders of all levels within the business, from partners to trainees and support staff.
• Excellent communication skills, commercial acumen and decision making, and the ability to both lead and work as part of a team.
• Strong analytical skills and familiarity with systems and resources such as Intapp, Bureau van Dijk/Orbis, Companies House and Accuity.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and handle multiple competing demands on your time.

About the Firm

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm, and we're 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 1,500 people, including 220+ partners, across ten offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world, blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

• 220+ PARTNERS
• 10 OFFICES
• 45+ LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR PEOPLE

Offices in Al Khobar, Athens, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Riyadh, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and associated office in Guangzhou.

Our brand strengths:

GO FAR, GO TOGETHER

EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW

CAN DO PERSONALITIES

ALWAYS READY