The Division
The GC & Risk team focuses on strategic risk management advice and projects across the firm’s UK and international offices. This includes advising the firm on regulatory and professional practice issues, drafting and agreeing firm-wide policies and procedures, and assisting the General Counsel, Conflicts Partner, Money Laundering Reporting Officer and Anti-Bribery & Corruption Officer. The team is also responsible for implementing, embedding and monitoring compliance and risk practices across the firm, globally.
The Team
The Business Acceptance Unit (BAU) forms part of the Firm’s General Counsel & Risk (GC&R) Directorate. The role reports to the BAU Manager New Clients / AML Team and involves the creation and ongoing maintenance of all client / AML records across the Firm’s centralised processing systems, primarily in relation to anti-money laundering client due diligence (CDD) checks and compliance with the relevant laws and regulations across the Firm’s global operation.
The team comprises of Assistants and Advisors undertaking all aspects of client file opening, anti-money laundering CDD checks, risk assessments and associated risk relevant work. The team also manages the administration of the Sanctions process and supports the Firm’s Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) and Deputies with the submission of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) and high risk / reputational issues.
The BAU AML Advisor undertakes technical judgment and decision based Anti-Money Laundering (‘AML’) work in relation to client and matter instructions. Advice is given to partners and fee earners in relation to the firm’s procedures, regulatory AML and compliance obligations.
What can you expect?
The role involves:
Undertake Anti-Money Laundering (AML)/Client Due Diligence (CDD) checks on all new and appropriate existing client instructions. Investigative analysis to cover a broad range of high risk factors including PEP involvement, state ownership, complex structures, high risk jurisdictions (including EU high-risk third countries), sanctions information, intelligence and other reporting systems. Advice on enhanced due diligence and ongoing monitoring requirements.
Employing a working understanding of the AML regulations in relation to the Firm’s operational jurisdictions under the supervision of the BAU Manager New Clients / AML Team and the GC&R Team.
Advise partners and associates on specific CDD requirements, client of record, best practice and other related AML queries.
To compile and to provide support to the BAU New Clients / AML Assistants in the submission of referrals where high risk factors / reputational issues have been identified, obtaining approvals following an escalation process.
Conduct analysis on relevant sanctions notifications including from the UN, EU, UK and US. Investigate and escalate potential legal and reputational issues to the BAU Manager New Clients / AML Team and the GC&R Team and assist with drafting any referral to the MLRO’s. Ensure the internal sanctions databases are updated in line with internal service level agreements (‘SLA’).
Compile Management Information (‘MI’) Statistics for stakeholders.
Draft Suspicious Activity Reports (‘SARs’) under the supervision of BAU Manager New Clients / AML Team and the MLRO/Deputy MLRO, assist the AML Assistants with submission of SARs to the National Crime Agency (‘NCA’) and ensure internal records are kept up to date.
Draft and update BAU’s procedures in accordance with regulatory changes and Firm policy under the supervision of the BAU Manager New Clients / AML Team and the GC&R Team.
Coaching and mentoring of the BAU AML Assistants, supporting the BAU Manager New Clients / AML Team in developing the team’s knowledge on AML/CDD requirements and other relevant regulations (both national and international).
Assist the BAU Manager New Clients / AML Team in the management of workflow across the team. Ensuring work is prioritised accordingly and the team meets its SLAs.
Conduct audits of CDD Forms and Elite records, record findings and providing feedback to ensure work is completed to standard and ensure internal SLA’s are maintained.
Support the BAU Manager New Clients / AML Team and manage tasks, projects and other compliance related work as required.
Knowledge, skills and experience required
Any successful applicant will need the following skills and competencies:
Experience of working in a comparable role within a legal environment.
Knowledge of the relevant areas of law and regulations such as The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019 or equivalent, POCA, UN, EU, UK and US sanctions regimes and the SRA Code of Conduct 2019.
Strong regulatory/legal analytical skills. An ability to interpret and apply international AML regulations would be an advantage.
Ability to adopt a risk based approach, under the guidance of the BAU New Client / AML Manager and GC&R, ensuring the firm remains compliant with applicable regulations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to effectively communicate at all levels liaising with fee earners and partners to provide advice and build good working relationships.
Ability to use own initiative, respond to urgent queries and meet competing deadlines.
A strong team player. Delivering results and providing proactive solutions to difficult issues, which will include delegating work to other team members.
Excellent IT skills. Proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Email and Internet usage.
Project management skills or experience of working on project related activities.
As a firm, we aim to provide a positive experience to everyone who works here and our focus on financial, lifestyle and wellbeing benefits ensures that this experience goes beyond the nine-to-five. As part of this mission, some of the benefits employees of AG can expect are;
Life Assurance & Income Protection
Competitive employer matched pension contribution rate
Health and wellbeing subsidiary, up to £180 per year
One day per year to volunteer (as part of our CSR initiative)
Buy/Sell holidays (up to 5 days each year)
Mental health and wellbeing initiatives such as The Mindful Business Charter, Mental Health Champions and 1:1 sessions with an in-house professional
Talent referral bonus incentives
AG Excellence awards for the recognition of exceptional effort
Opt in private medical and private dental insurance
Opt in annual health screening
Voluntary critical illness cover
Annual discretionary bonus plan
AG is an equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of a person’s gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to having a diverse team and actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and communities, particularly those from underrepresented demographics. We want our recruitment practices to be as inclusive as possible, so please let us know if you need us to make any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process to help you perform to your best.
