Senior Risk & Compliance Lawyer

Practice Group / Department:

Job Description

We're Norton Rose Fulbright - a global law firm with over 50 offices and 7,000 employees worldwide. We provide the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. At Norton Rose Fulbright, our strategy and our culture are closely entwined. We know that our expansion will mean little unless it is underpinned by truly global collaboration and we understand that pioneering work only takes place when our people have room to move and think beyond boundaries. As well as the relevant skills and experience, we're looking for people who are innovative, commercial and value the work that they do. 

The Role

The role primarily involves the provision of expert and pragmatic advice to NRF EMEA, its stakeholders and staff (including senior management, partners, lawyers and business services staff) on applicable financial crime related regulatory obligations, policy and reputational risks (in particular, sanctions) in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The successful candidate will report to our Head of Financial Crime / deputy MLRO and will be part of a high performing, solutions focused team.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include:

• Being a subject matter expert and trusted advisor to NRF EMEA on financial crime issues, including but not limited to economic and trade sanctions, money laundering, counter-terrorist funding, anti-bribery and corruption, non-proliferation funding and dishonesty offences (eg. fraud, insider trading).   
• Analysing and assessing financial crime risks (including regulatory, reputational and commercial) presented by new and existing business; recommending pragmatic solutions to manage risks effectively and ensure compliance with applicable regulations and the firm’s policies and risk appetite; escalating decision making where appropriate.
• Drafting and submitting reports and licencing applications to OFSI and other regulators.  
• Preparing external reports as required by the firm’s bankers, insurers, auditors, clients, vendors and other third parties.
• Providing internal training to partners and staff on sanctions and other financial crime risk issues.
• Contributing to internal reports on financial crime related matters for use by NRF EMEA’s Chief Risk & Regulatory Officer. COLP, MLROs and senior management.      
• Participating in a broad range of projects aimed at addressing existing and anticipated financial crime risks facing the business.
• Assisting on the development and implementation of internal policies, procedures and knowledge resources, which seek to manage sanctions and others financial crime risks.
• Horizon scanning for regulatory and risk related issues, including geo-political and legislative developments which may impact the business and our clients.
• Working closely with Risk & Compliance counterparts and fee earners in NRF’s other member firms (based in the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa) to address inter-regional / global risk issues. 

Qualifications

Candidates must be qualified lawyers with relevant 4+ years PQE in a role where they have gained financial crime related experience, whether as a Risk & Compliance professional in a regulated firm or organisation, external legal advisor or role with a regulatory authority or law enforcement agency.   Ideally, this experience will include advising on UK economic and trade sanctions.  

Skills and Experience

We are looking for a candidate who, in addition to having the requisite legal skills, qualifications and experience, is creative, pragmatic and values the work that they do.

We encourage multiple approaches and believe that diversity and testing different points of view drives innovation and high performance.  The role is a broad one where the successful candidate will receive support and training from subject matter experts, commensurate with their level and type of experience.

The successful candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• High level of technical expertise; thorough understanding of UK sanctions law, AML regulations, and other relevant financial crime legislation.
• Ability to effectively analyse complex legal and factual issues.
• Pro-active approach; anticipating the needs of our clients and internal stakeholders; looking at ways to add value wherever possible
• Highly motivated and flexible in approach to work driven by commercial and client demands.
• A lateral and innovative thinker who is able to overcome obstacles under time pressure and can effectively balance the firm's legal obligations with its business needs.
• A discrete and professional approach to sensitive matters and confidential information.
• Has a positive outlook and is open to being a role model and mentor to junior members of staff; able to give and receive constructive criticism in a positive way.
• Willing and able to embrace the firm’s business principles of quality, integrity and unity.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

To attract the best people, we strive to create a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, have a sense of belonging, and realize their full career potential. 
Our new enabled work model allows our people to have more flexibility in the way they choose to work from both the office and a remote location, while continuing to deliver the highest standards of service. We offer a range of family friendly and inclusive employment policies and provide access to programmes and services aimed at nurturing our people’s health and overall wellbeing. Find more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams. We strive to create an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any tailored adjustments or accommodations, please let us know here.