AML Specialist

Allens Corporate Services; Australia; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Gym memberships

Hybrid work model

Parental leave

Employee assistance program

Discounts at suppliers

Job summary

Allens is seeking an AML Specialist to join the New Business Intake team in Australia. You will provide AML/CTF advice to partners and stakeholders, perform CDD and risk assessments, and own complex cases ensuring compliance and proper documentation.

The role blends hands-on risk work with policy development and team mentoring. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, a focus on data accuracy, onboarding, and support for audits, with opportunities for professional development within a

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years' experience in a law firm or professional services environment.
• Solid understanding of Australia's AML/CTF framework and AUSTRAC expectations.
• Proactive approach to AML compliance, identifying risks and driving improvements.
• Demonstrated ownership of complex, sensitive cases and timely outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Serve as AML/CTF advisor to partners, legal teams and stakeholders.
• Perform initial and ongoing CDD, including risk assessments and identity verification.
• Evaluate client/matter risk and determine appropriate due diligence level.
• Own and document high-risk cases from initiation to completion.
• Maintain accurate records in First AML and support AUSTRAC audits.
• Monitor client risk ratings, triggers, and screening alerts.
• Collaborate to develop AML/CTF policies and process docs.
• Mentor AML Compliance Analysts and provide day-to-day guidance.

Skills

AML/CTF knowledge

Risk assessment

Client onboarding

Leadership & mentoring

Training & documentation

Stakeholder communication

Tools

First AML

Intapp

Job description

Your role At Allens, our business teams are also specialists in their field, using their unique knowledge and expertise to solve critical client and business challenges.

You’ll be a part of our New Business Intake team that manage client and matter onboarding, conduct conflict searches, ensure data accuracy, and support risk management across the firm.

As an AML Specialist you will:

• Serve as a key point of contact to provide AML/CTF advice and support to partners, legal teams, and business stakeholders, responding to queries and assisting with onboarding and compliance requirements.
• Perform initial and ongoing CDD (customer due diligence), including risk assessments and identity verification.
• Evaluate risks associated with clients, matters, jurisdictions, products, services, PEPs, sanctions exposure, and adverse media to determine the appropriate level of due diligence.
• Take full ownership of complex, high-risk, and sensitive cases from initiation through to completion, exercising independent judgement and ensuring all AML/CTF obligations are met and appropriately documented.
• Maintain accurate records in First AML and assist with AUSTRAC and independent audits.
• Monitor and review client risk ratings, trigger events, and screening alerts.
• Collaborate with partners and clients on compliance requirements and document collection.
• Assist in the development, review, and maintenance of AML/CTF policies, procedures, and process documentation, ensuring they remain current and fit for purpose.
• Manage, mentor, and support AML Compliance Analysts, providing day-to-day guidance, reviewing work product, and fostering professional development within the team.
• Act as a first point of escalation for AML Compliance Analysts on complex or sensitive matters, providing practical guidance and ensuring issues are resolved in a timely manner.
• Assist in the development and delivery of job-specific AML/CTF training for new Allens staff members joining the firm, ensuring that all employees have a clear understanding of the firm's AML/CTF obligations and their individual responsibilities from the outset of their employment.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and upskilling of the broader Business Acceptance team through training sessions, process notes, and knowledge sharing.

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity. At Allens we have a hybrid working structure, typically 60% in the office and 40% from home. We would be happy to discuss any other flexible working arrangements that best support you.

About you

• A minimum of 3–5 years' experience in a law firm or professional services environment, with demonstrated experience in new business intake, client onboarding, AML/CTF compliance, and conflict checking.
• A solid understanding of Australia's AML/CTF framework, including the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth), the AML/CTF Rules, and AUSTRAC's regulatory expectations.
• A proactive approach to AML compliance, including the ability to identify and assess risks, anticipate compliance requirements, drive process improvements, and provide clear and timely guidance to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex and sensitive cases, exercise sound independent judgement, and deliver well-reasoned outcomes in a timely manner.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, including the confidence to guide partners and legal teams through compliance considerations in a clear, professional, and practical manner.
• The ability to interpret beneficial ownership structures and corporate documentation, and to apply escalation frameworks in line with firm policy.
• Experience conducting customer due diligence (CDD) and enhanced due diligence (EDD), including risk assessments, identity verification, PEP and sanctions screening, and adverse media reviews.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining data integrity across client and matter records.
• The ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with sound judgement and discretion at all times.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including experience mentoring or supervising junior team members and contributing to team development.
• A genuine desire to learn and grow within the AML/CTF compliance field, build relationships across the firm, and contribute positively to a collaborative and high-performing team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear process notes, training materials, and compliance documentation.

The following would be advantageous but is not mandatory:

• Experience interpreting conflict search reports and applying conflict escalation frameworks in a law firm or professional services environment; whilst familiarity with conflicts processes is valued, it is not a prerequisite for this role and can be developed on the job.
• Experience using First AML or similar client onboarding and due diligence platforms.
• Familiarity with Intapp or other conflict checking and matter management systems.
• Experience contributing to AML/CTF policy development, internal audits, or AUSTRAC reporting.
• Exposure to a large law firm or Big 4 professional services environment.

Your development

In joining Allens, you will receive unparalleled learning and development opportunities. You will be challenged, supported and guided as you learn and develop, and will be encouraged to grow. We foster greatness, and will coach and support you to meet your goals and aspirations. Our unique Career Deal allows you to take control of your career and provides a transparent approach to career development. Our international alliance with Linklaters means we are able to support secondments all over the world.

Our perks

• Financial: market competitive fixed remuneration, employee recruitment referral program, discounts at hundreds of suppliers including retail outlets, health and travel insurance, charity matched funding program.
• Health and wellbeing: fully subsidised gym memberships, annual flu vaccinations, skin checks, in-house snacks and catered meals, subsidised sporting and social activities, Employee Assistance Program including confidential counselling, wellbeing coaching and financial coaching for employees and their families.
• Flexibility: hybrid and flexible working arrangements to support you in your work and life commitments and passions, equipment to support working from home.
• Leave: ability to purchase additional annual leave, access to an enhanced, inclusive and flexible parental leave policy – 26 weeks paid parental leave with no minimum service for permanent employees and high quality executive coaching to support the transition.
• Recognition: team based recognition including social activities and contribution based recognition activities, and annual Allens Values Awards to nominate and recognise the incredible contributions of our people.
• Allens is also proud to invest in our communities, giving you the opportunity to make a difference through our work on reconciliation, the environment and other social justice issues as well as our workplace giving and volunteering programs.

At Allens, our culture is made up of unique backgrounds and varying life experiences. We celebrate our people's differences across gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, cultural backgrounds, First Nations communities, and family and caring arrangements.

If you require adjustments to fully participate in our application process, please contact us at [e-mail].

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align, please express your interest by emailing us at [e-mail].

The right role for you might be just around the corner!

At Allens, we've been building legal careers for 200 years; longer than any other firm in Australia. The impact of our people extends to almost every sphere of business, government, the judiciary and the wider legal profession. We continue to provide opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to build outstanding careers and shape the world around them.

Through our alliance with Linklaters, we work in a global network of 40 offices in 25 countries. Our size and global reach provide exceptional opportunities for career development, including both on-the-job learning and formal training and development opportunities.

Our commitment to high performance is balanced with a focus on wellbeing, with a culture that's inclusive, supportive and collaborative. We prioritise connection and value the unique contribution of everyone at the firm.

We're proud to hold some of the world's longest ongoing client relationships, stretching back more than 180 years.