Compliance Manager (UK, Europe, USA)

Watson Farley & Williams is an international law firm advising on complex disputes and transactions through local knowledge and an integrated international network.  We have a strong sector focus, combining our technical excellence with deep industry knowledge across Energy, Transport and associated Infrastructure.

The firm has achieved rapid expansion and year-on-year growth owed almost entirely to a focused strategy, strong leadership and the quality of its people.  The next stage in the firm’s growth plan is to achieve full-service strength within core sectors across the global platform.

We strive for excellence in all that we do and view investment in our people as key to achieving our business goals and values, which rest on developing deep and long-lasting relationships externally and internally through respect, sharing, communication and integrity.

Our global practice is integrated across our offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America delivering consistently high levels of service across borders and locally through a deep understanding of local business customs and culture.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace to attract and retain the most talented people from all backgrounds and cultures.  We believe in celebrating difference and that people from any background can rise to the top, ensuring opportunities to develop and progress are available for all.

The Global Compliance Team at Watson Farley and Williams comprises:

• Director of Risk & Compliance
• Head of Compliance (UK, EU and USA) – vacancy (London)
• Compliance Manager (UK, EU and USA) – vacancy (London)
• Compliance Manager (Singapore)
• Four Senior Compliance Officers (based across London, Germany and Greece)
• Six Compliance Officers (based across London, Greece and Singapore)
• Junior Compliance Officer (London)
• Compliance Administrator (London)

Internationally, we work with the Office Managers across the jurisdictions in which we have offices on projects including insurances and information security.

To support the Compliance team to ensure the firm remains compliant with AML Regulations, SRA’s Standards and Regulations and other applicable rules and regulations internationally by working alongside the Head of Compliance (UK, EU and USA) to support the Director of Risk & Compliance, the General Counsel, COLP, COFA and the MLROs.

The Compliance Manager (UK, EU and USA) is responsible for the oversight of the day to day activities of the Compliance team and the following across the UK, EU and USA:

• Allocating work within the team to ensure that all new client and matter requests, conflict checks and queries are managed quickly and efficiently.
• Providing training and support to the team and offices on key regulatory topics.
• Providing input on the team to the Head of Compliance (UK, EU and USA) for team development and appraisals.
• Creating and implementing project plans.
• Responding to more complex regulatory enquiries and investigations.
• Maintaining up to date policies and procedures.
• Attending and presenting at meetings to Office and Group Heads (as required).
• Managing monthly reporting from the Compliance team’s central records.
• Providing support to the Head of Compliance (UK, EU and USA), including assistance with projects, recruitment and other ad hoc tasks as may be required from time to time.

• Experience of allocating and managing workloads within a team.
• Previous experience of managing risk and compliance policies and procedures within an international law firm.
• Strong understanding and experience with dealing with conflict related matters.
• Detailed knowledge of SRA requirements and the regulatory framework.
• Detailed knowledge of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing law and practice.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
• Strong organisational skills with a proven ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.

• Working with Intapp Open, Conflicts and Walls.
• Dealing with professional indemnity insurance and general insurance renewals.
• Working knowledge of GDPR requirements.
• Dealing with client information security audits.
• Working knowledge of sanctions.

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.

The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated.

Respect for different backgrounds and perspectives is at the heart of our firm’s core values and we recognise the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential. This is a key feature of our Global Code of Conduct, which places diversity and inclusion at the centre of our firm’s ways of working.

We believe that exceptional client service can only be delivered by exceptional people. For this reason, we aim to attract, retain and develop the best talent from a wide range of backgrounds. All decisions relating to employment will be objective and based on merit and ability.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are as inclusive and barrier-free as possible. This includes making adjustments for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition.  If you require adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, we’d encourage you to get in touch with a member of our team who would be happy to discuss options with you.