AML and Onboarding Risk Analyst

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is seeking an AML and Onboarding Risk Analyst to join the General Counsel team. You will provide risk-based advice on AML, sanctions, conflicts, regulatory and reputational risks for client engagements.

The role is part of a hybrid working policy with some office presence required; Newcastle or Southampton offices are beneficial but not essential. You will work with a team that supports complex onboarding and risk queries.

Qualifications

• Experience in regulated professional services, ideally law firms.
• Strong understanding of AML, sanctions, CDD, conflicts and onboarding.
• Ability to interpret policies and regulatory obligations.
• Excellent communication to stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Conduct CDD and EDD reviews for new and existing clients.
• Review source of funds and wealth information for issues needing investigation.
• Analyze PEP, adverse media, sanctions and risk indicators; escalates appropriately.
• Prepare concise AML, sanctions, reputational and regulatory risk assessments.
• Support onboarding compliance and the Conflicts/GC teams with QA and queries.
• Review conflict search outputs and liaise to support risk-based decisions.
• Maintain complete due diligence records and contribute to training and audits.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Risk management

Regulatory knowledge

Investigative skills

Education

AML/Financial Crime qualifications

Tools

Onboarding systems

CDD/EDD tooling

Job description

The Role

We are seeking an AML and Onboarding Risk Analyst to join our General Counsel team, providing risk-based advice and analysis to support the firm in identifying, assessing and managing AML, sanctions, conflicts, regulatory and reputational risks associated with new and existing client engagements

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to be part of a team performing a critical function within an international law firm that brings together local knowledge, sector insight and an unrivalled transatlantic footprint. This role falls under our hybrid working policy, and we would ask that you are able to visit one of our offices at least two days per week as per current working practices.

Newcastle or Southampton office locations would be advantageous but not essential as we have offices around the country.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct CDD and EDD reviews for new and existing clients, including complex ownership and control structures.
• Review source of funds and source of wealth information and identify issues requiring further investigation.
• Research and analyse PEP, adverse media, sanctions, high risk jurisdiction and other risk indicators applicable to both clients and third parties and escal**ate** appropriately.
• Prepare concise, well-reasoned AML, sanctions, reputational and regulatory risk assessments.
• Support Onboarding Compliance Assurance, the General Counsel team, the Conflicts team and fee earners with complex onboarding and risk queries.
• Support conflict analysis where required, including reviewing conflict search outputs, identifying potential legal, commercial, confidentiality or regulatory issues, and liaising with the Conflicts team, OCA and fee earners to support clear risk-based decisions.
• Maintain complete due diligence records and contribute to guidance, training, quality assurance, audit and continuous improvement activity.

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

You will have experience working within a regulated professional services environment, ideally a law firm, undertaking AML, KYC, CDD, conflicts, compliance, financial crime, onboarding or wider risk management activities. A strong understanding of regulatory requirements and the importance of effective risk controls is essential.

You will be able to analyse complex ownership structures, identify risk indicators and review conflict search results, exercising sound judgement when legal, commercial, confidentiality or regulatory issues require escalation. Strong analytical and investigative skills are key, alongside the ability to interpret policies, procedures and regulatory obligations.

You will be an excellent communicator, capable of explaining technical and compliance-related issues clearly to colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. In addition, you will demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities while delivering a high-quality service within agreed service levels.

To be successful you will possess the following:

• AML, sanctions, financial crime, conflicts or compliance experience gained in legal services, banking, financial services, accounting, insurance, professional services, regulated fintech or another compliance-intensive sector.
• Experience of enhanced due diligence, sanctions analysis or financial crime investigations.
• Relevant AML, conflict, compliance or other financial crime qualifications.
• Experience using onboarding, compliance, screening, conflict checking or matter opening systems.

The successful candidate does not need law firm experience but must have experience working in a regulated, risk-sensitive environment and be able to exercise sound judgement on AML, CDD, sanctions and wider onboarding risk issues.