Job Description
The Role
Group Overview
The Clearance Centre is a central part of the firm's risk management function and reports ultimately to the firm's General Counsel.
Working in the London Clearance Centre you will be working as part of a team responsible for the management of conflicts of interest and associated compliance issues across Clifford Chance's global practice, including Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Who you will work with
Reporting to the firm's Director of Business Intake and leads the firm's Client Acceptance team. The team is part of a global team responsible for the management of conflicts of interest, anti-money laundering (AML) obligations and associated regulatory compliance and commercial issues across Clifford Chance's global practice, including Europe, the Middle East, the US and Asia.
The Client Acceptance team typically comprises around 8 people, including AML analysts (some of whom are qualified lawyers) and administrative support, and is responsible for the assessment of AML associated engagement risk issues connected to new business for the firm. The team is based primarily in London, but also includes staff in Hong Kong and the US.
What you will be responsible for
Your primary responsibility will be the successful management of AML and associated engagement risks relating to the acceptance of new business for the firm.
What you will do
The role requires the successful management of AML and associated engagement risks relating to the acceptance of new business for the firm.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Managing the members of the Client Acceptance team, including recruitment, training, performance, policy development, guidance, and conducting appraisals.
- Acting as a point of escalation for team members and partners to resolve complex AML and related issues associated with the acceptance of new clients and ongoing work for existing clients.
- Acting as the key internal contact by working closely with the compliance and legal team to ensure the firm is compliant with applicable AML regulations, reputational considerations and firm policies, in the context of accepting new clients and ongoing work for existing clients.
- Developing and updating controls and procedures with reference to the firm's AML policies and business risk assessment related to new business engagement risks associated with the acceptance of new clients and matters for the firm.
- Assessing whether new clients and mandates can be accepted in the context of current AML guidelines, as well as internal policies, across the full range of practice areas and offices within the firm.
- Dealing with ad hoc questions/queries from partners, lawyers and others within the firm relating to AML issues.
- Preparing reports for the General Counsel and the London MLRO relating to workflows, high risk clients, regulatory requirements, suspicious transaction reporting, resourcing and strategic issues.
- Assisting the London MLRO in relation to the preparation of suspicious activity reports.
- Assisting MLROs and compliance teams across the firm's global offices concerning enquiries from regulators relating to AML issues.
- Overseeing the development and integration of new processes and technology with the team.
- Assisting with the delivery of internal training and development of guidance for lawyers and business services staff on AML matters related to new engagements.
Qualifications
Your Experience
Skills:
- Flexible with effective verbal and written communication skills and an ability to build and maintain relationships with all stakeholders across the Firm.
- You will have strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence key stakeholders.
- Proven ability to efficiently solve complex problems in a methodical and practical way.
- You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to liaise at all levels within the firm and build and maintain strong relationships with various levels of stakeholders.
- Sound awareness of commercial issues and ability to resolve them pragmatically.
- You will have the ability to carry out tasks independently with the ability to take on a leadership role as necessary.
- You will have strong negotiation skills with the ability to influence key stakeholders.
- You will have the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
- A quick learner who is able to adapt to new processes, people and technology.
- You will embrace teamwork and promote an encouraging team environment.
Experience:
- You will have gained demonstrable experience of working in a client acceptance role with experience of leading a team ideally gained in a commercial law environment.
- Prior experience of managing a team.
How we will support you
From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.
You will be working with partners, lawyers and business professionals from all of the firm's offices and practice areas.
You will have exposure to work which often involves complex, high value matters that frequently headline in the financial and business press, and also work involving emerging markets and technologies.
You will develop an unbeatable multi-disciplinary skill set as well as client facing skills whilst working with some of the best-known market leaders in their respective practice areas.
We will provide the opportunity for you to develop as a recognised practitioner in the field.
Company Description
Who we are
We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.
Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.
Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.
You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.
Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.
Additional Information
The Equal opportunities statement
At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.
We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.
We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.
Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm.
Find out more about our inclusive culture here.
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