Senior Compliance Officer

Stephenson Harwood LLP; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

An international law firm seeks a Senior Compliance Officer in Dubai. This role involves managing client onboarding, mentoring junior staff, and expertise in AML and conflicts. Applicants should have proven experience in a business acceptance role, strong problem-solving and communication skills. The firm offers a collaborative environment with an emphasis on professional development and diversity. The working pattern is Sunday to Thursday, supporting the firm's operations in the region.

Benefits

Competitive rewards

Professional development opportunities

Diversity-focused workplace

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a business acceptance role, preferably in a law firm.
• Solid understanding of AML and conflicts rules in various jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated experience in people management.

Responsibilities

• Manage client onboarding and matter opening workflows.
• Mentor junior Compliance Officers and manage a small team.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for complex queries.

Skills

Business acceptance experience

Understanding of AML regulations

Problem-solving skills

Strong research skills

Excellent communication skills

Teamwork and leadership

Tools

Intapp Open

Accuity

Job description

What we will offer

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We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility. Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you The Deal between the firm and its employees.

Team Structure

The Business Acceptance team is a global team operating out of the firms London Singapore and Hong Kong offices. It is led by the Head of Business Acceptance based in London supported in the same office by an AML and Sanctions Manager, three Senior Compliance Officers and 13 Compliance Officers. The teams in Hong Kong and Singapore consist of a Business Acceptance Manager a Senior Compliance Officer four Compliance Officers and a Compliance Assistant.

Main Responsibilities

The role of a Senior Compliance Officer has elements of day-to-day compliance work (BAU) as well as people management.

BAU Primarily involves the day-to-day management of client onboarding and matter opening workflows with a focus on problem-solving and maintaining an efficient service to the practice this will involve:

• Acting as an initial point of escalation for queries from team members whether related to conflicts AML CDD Intapp billing / third party payors or otherwise.
• Managing workload by allocating work fairly and ensuring it is completed promptly and accurately. Where needed you will support colleagues in prioritising competing demands.
• Identifying and resolving any issues (technical or otherwise) which affect the general file opening and / or client onboarding workflow
• The role will also include handling a share of the teams day-to-day workload which generally involves:
• Analysing conflict search results and resolving any regulatory and/or commercial conflicts including via discussions with partners and fee earners.
• Advising fee-earners on information and documentation required to complete CDD.
• Implementing and maintaining information barriers.
• Conducting sanctions screenings and liaising with internal SMEs to resolve any sanctions issues that may arise with clients or matters.

People Management

As a Senior Compliance Officer you will also be actively involved in and mentoring and leading colleagues. Each of our Senior Compliance Officers is responsible for the day-to-day supervision of a small team of Compliance Officers (a pod) which includes:

• Playing a leading role in ongoing training and mentoring especially of new joiners to the Business Acceptance team.
• Ensuring Compliance Officers apply a consistent approach to resolving conflicts AML and other issues related to Business Acceptance processes.
• Addressing day-to-day and ongoing resourcing issues.

The successful candidate will be expected to

• Act as a senior point of contact to the business on complex queries relating to conflicts AML and other business acceptance issues.
• Assist with drafting and review of Business Acceptance policies.
• Deliver Business Acceptance training to fee earners support staff and internally within the Business Acceptance team.
• Assist with the project management of upgrades to Intapp Open including testing of any changes and maintaining an ongoing review of the system functionality.
• Assist with lateral hire searches.
• Provide Out of Hours assistance on time-sensitive matters from time to time in conjunction and consultation with the Head of Business Acceptance.

In addition there will be a requirement to be available to support the Firms Saudi office in line with local working patterns. Please note that this position will have a working pattern of Sunday to Thursday.

Attributes/Skills Required

• Proven experience in a business acceptance role is essential preferably within a law firm environment. Prior people management experience would be useful.
• Solid demonstrable understanding of AML and conflicts rules applicable in all jurisdictions in which the firm operates.
• Pragmatic commercial and lateral thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
• A team-first can-do attitude and a commitment to doing what it takes to achieve results in a timely efficient manner.
• Strong research skills and familiarity with widely used vendors such as Orbis Accuity and equivalents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the gravitas to support taking the lead in discussions with partners fee earners and support staff.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a global team.
• Experience of using Intapp Open and Walls.
• Ability to work under time pressure and prioritise effectively to meet multiple deadlines.
• A desire to build on existing knowledge and proactively contribute to changes in team processes and procedures.

About the Firm

Stephenson Harwood is an international law firm and we are committed to creating positive partnerships with our clients. We represent listed and private companies, institutions and individuals building lasting relationships to help them succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.

Our focus is on five core sectors: Energy Transition, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Private Capital and Funds, Technology and Transportation and Trade.

With more than 1500 people including 220 partners across ten offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia we combine deep legal capabilities and broad commercial expertise. We have also forged close ties with high quality law firms around the world blending local knowledge with global savvy for clients in over 100 countries.

We understand the power of diversity in delivering that high calibre advice to our clients. We want to attract diverse talent and we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented demographics.

Additional facts

• 220 PARTNERS
• 10 OFFICES
• 45 LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY OUR PEOPLE

Offices in Al Khobar Athens Dubai Hong Kong London Paris Riyadh Seoul Shanghai Singapore and associated office in Guangzhou

Our brand strengths:

GO FAR GO TOGETHER

EXPERTS IN MORE THAN LAW

CAN DO PERSONALITIES

ALWAYS READY

Required Experience:

Senior IC