Compliance Manager, Australia

The Compliance Manager is responsible for championing and leading the compliance function in the relevant office or country and being a trusted advisor to Partners, other fee earners and business professionals. With in-depth knowledge of their the legal industry and the Firm's priorities, as well as being expert in business support processes, the Compliance Manager will confidently manage and own the compliance program locally. The Compliance Manager is expected to form and develop excellent working relationships with their OMP, GM and other key stakeholders. The Compliance Manager takes primary responsibility for the compliance function within the office or country. The Compliance Managers           may from time to time be expected to take on additional responsibility and those with country responsibility may be involved in leading regional initiatives.

The Compliance Manager's key responsibilities include the following:

• Ensure the Australian partnership and offices are in compliance with local laws and regulatory rules.
• Liaise with the NSW and WA Law Societies to ensure firm compliance on regulatory matters.
• With the OMP and GM, lead the promotion and monitoring of compliance locally, taking into account the compliance objectives set by the CR&CO.
• Design, develop and implement preventive monitoring mechanisms with respect to compliance objectives.
• Leading local office efforts to create awareness of Clifford Chance global policies and procedures and provide compliance advice and guidance to partners, lawyers and business professionals. This includes:
  •    Participating in the creation of new global policies and actively promoting awareness of and compliance with new global policies in the local office.
  •    Monitoring compliance with global policies in the local office.
  •    Where applicable, designing local policies that align with global policies and liaising with the HRC on any differences in local policies that may be required.
  •     Identifying and analysing incidences of non-compliance and implementing rectification measures.

In relation to our gifts and hospitality policy:

• •     Advise the team in the Australian offices on queries relating to gifts and hospitality.
  •     Be an advisor to the central compliance team on gifts and hospitality requiring central compliance approval in relation to any local restrictions or specific local concerns.
•    Proactively monitor local regulatory changes which may have an impact on the operations of the Firm and existing policies and procedures and advise the OMP, GM and central compliance function of any such changes and their impact potentially on the firm.
• Proactively identify and assess key regulatory and compliance risks of the local office and perform regular horizon scanning for potential changes and upcoming risks.
• Together with the HRC:

• Implement, operate and develop the compliance management system for the Australian offices, taking into account specific local requirements and legislation;
• Identify compliance objectives for the Australian offices;
• Monitor the development and implementation of mandatory risk and compliance training programmes;
• Develop and/or implement new standardised compliance processes, rules and regulations;
• Develop and implement an effective system for communicating compliance topics; and
• Develop a compliance culture and raise awareness of compliance issues and the Clifford Chance Compliance Policy.
• Regularly report to the OMP, HRC and GHC on regulatory and compliance matters that may arise.
• Other responsibilities that may be described in the Clifford Chance Compliance Policy from time to time or which may be ancillary to the responsibilities described above.

Reporting Obligations 

• Report promptly to the OMP, GM and HRC (and HGC and CR&CO where appropriate) on serious compliance violations in their respective country. Propose action aimed at preventing repeated violations in their respective country. Report other compliance violations promptly to offices or persons in a position to prohibit or sanction them.
• Report every six months to the HRC on compliance activities and compliance violations in their respective country.
• Report annually to the HRC on the assessment of any compliance risks which could lead to compliance violations or otherwise impair compliance objectives in their respective country.

The successful candidate should meet the following criteria and have no less than 6 years prior working experience:

• Previous experience as a Compliance professional or other experience relevant to the role and its key responsibilities.
• Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Good understanding of local legal profession regulations and law firms.
• Good understanding of local anti-money laundering, anti-bribery, data privacy and insider trading regulations.
• Experience in implementing internal policies and controls in relation to the above.
• Experience delivering compliance-related training.
• Professional compliance qualification will be considered favourably.
• Australian Legal qualifications will be considered favourably.
• Ability to carry out responsibilities independently and take a leadership role.

The Compliance Manager provides advice and guidance to partners, lawyers and business professionals across the full spectrum of risk and compliance issues as set out below.

The Compliance Manager reports to the HRC and works closely with the Global Head of Compliance ("GHC"), Chief Risk and Compliance Officer ("CR&CO"), Office Managing Partner ("OMP"), the Office General Manager ("GM") , the Risk & Compliance team, other Compliance Managers and Officers in the global network; and relevant Business Professional function managers to ensure that the Firm meets its obligations in relation to the areas set out below.

Additional Responsibilities

Depending on the needs of the office, the Compliance Officer may be expected to take on the following responsibilities (with training if needed):

Anti-money laundering

• Support the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) in the discharge of his duties including, for example, providing support on Suspicious Transaction Reports (including liaising with the global team) and completion of annual MLRO report.
• Work in conjunction with the global AML team to support the implementation of changes required under the Australian Tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms.

Data Privacy

• Act as the Privacy Officer for local office.
• Act as the local Data Privacy Contact ("DPC") under the Firm's Data Privacy policy and as the Head of Data Privacy may communicate from time to time, taking responsibility for Data Privacy issues arising in Australia, including ensuring strict compliance with Data Privacy regulations,  and stimulate and promote awareness of the Firm's data privacy policy.
• Take responsibility for Data Privacy issues arising in Australia  including ensuring strict compliance with Data Privacy regulations.
• Working closely with the central compliance team, assist with the implementation of any global policies and processes in the context of extraterritorial data privacy regulations such as GDPR.

Contracts

• Review and assist with engagement letters, supplier contracts and other agreements and documents to be entered into by the Firm.

Insurance

• Oversee the insurance portfolio for the Australian office, including the renewal of local PI insurance and working in conjunction with our brokers for the renewal of general and  other  insurances.

Client Engagement

• Working closely with the Finance team, review compliance with global policies and processes related to our engagements with clients.
• Maintain the Australia engagement letters templates (including automated templates) in compliance with local regulatory requirements and make improvements as required.

Audit Letters

• Prepare and review draft audit letters before signature partner, as required.
• Regularly review and update template audit letters.