An international law firm is looking for a Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions (MLRO) to join their team in London. The ideal candidate should have significant experience as a Financial Crime lawyer within an international law firm, either within their in-house team or someone who is in Private Practice looking to transition to a non-fee earning role.

As Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions (MLRO) you will have overall responsibility for managing the firm’s financial crime risk, including anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), sanctions compliance, and anti-bribery and corruption (ABC).

Key Responsibilities for the Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions (MLRO) role:

• Act as the firm’s Nominated Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO)
• Lead the development and execution of the firm’s financial crime compliance program, covering AML, CTF, sanctions, and ABC.
• Provide expert advice to internal stakeholders on financial crime risks and regulatory obligations.
• Design and implement financial crime risk assessments, ensuring the firm’s compliance with relevant UK and international regulations.
• Lead investigations into suspicious activities and prepare reports to the relevant authorities, including SAR submissions to the NCA.
• Oversee the monitoring of client transactions and ensure robust systems for client due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD).
• Work closely with the firm’s Business Acceptance Team to ensure appropriate risk management controls are in place.
• Develop and maintain financial crime policies, procedures, and training programs to ensure compliance across all offices.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies (e.g., FCA, SRA) and other external stakeholders regarding financial crime matters.
• Keep abreast of changes in relevant legislation, industry best practices, and regulatory expectations, and ensure the firm’s policies are updated accordingly.
• Collaborate with the broader Risk and Compliance team to provide seamless service across all compliance areas.

Qualifications: 

• Extensive experience in financial crime compliance within an international law firm.
• In-depth knowledge of UK AML, CTF, sanctions, and ABC legislation and regulations.
• Proven track record in leading and managing teams, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.
• Experience working with international stakeholders and managing cross-jurisdictional risks.

How to Apply: 

If you are a seasoned and driven professional looking for an exciting opportunity to take on a leadership role as Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions (MLRO) within a leading international law firm we invite you to apply or get in touch at [email protected]