Anti-Money Laundering Manager

LR Legal Recruitment; Bath; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

LR Legal Recruitment seeks an AML Manager for a well-established Bristol law firm, offering hybrid working and occasional travel to Bath and Swindon. The role leads the AML function, driving improvements and owning procedures within the Quality & Risk team.

You will oversee client due diligence, sanctions/PEP checks and AML controls, guiding complex matters and ensuring accurate data, reporting, and audits.

Qualifications

• Strong AML and client due diligence experience, ideally in law or financial services.
• Ability to manage and develop AML processes and teams.
• Knowledge of sanctions, PEPs and regulatory AML requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead client and matter inception and centralised AML processes.
• Manage and develop the Work Acceptance Team.
• Oversee AML policies, processes and controls.
• Provide guidance on complex due diligence matters.
• Maintain data quality, reporting and audits.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Manage third-party AML screening and identity verification systems.
• Identify and implement improvements across AML function.

Skills

AML knowledge

Client due diligence

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Degree-level qualification

AML-related qualification desirable

Solicitor status advantageous

Tools

Electronic identity verification

Job description

Role - AML Manager

Salary: £70k

Location: Bristol (ocasional travel to Bath and Swindon) | Hybrid

About the Firm

A successful and well-established full-service law firm is seeking an experienced AML Manager to join its Quality & Risk team.

The firm has a strong reputation across a broad range of legal practice areas and places a significant emphasis on delivering excellent client service. Its Business Services teams play an important role in supporting the wider firm, including Quality & Risk, Finance, HR, IT, Marketing and Operations.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where you will have the autonomy to develop the AML function and make a genuine impact.

About the Role

We are seeking an AML Manager to take responsibility for leading and developing the firm's AML function.

You will have the opportunity to drive improvements, introduce new ideas, establish effective processes and take ownership of the ongoing development of the team and its procedures.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the firm's client and matter inception and centralised AML processes, ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory requirements.
• Manage, develop and support the Work Acceptance Team, promoting high performance, consistency and continuous improvement.
• Oversee AML policies, processes and controls.
• Provide guidance on complex client due diligence matters, including sanctions, PEPs and other AML issues.
• Maintain the quality and accuracy of client and matter data, including data cleansing, reporting and auditing.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Manage third-party AML screening and identity verification systems, ensuring they remain effective and fit for purpose.
• Identify and implement process improvements across the AML function.
• Contribute to wider strategic initiatives.
• Maintain team procedures, guidance and training materials.
• Work closely with fee-earners and internal stakeholders to ensure effective and compliant client onboarding.
• The role will be based in Bristol, with regular travel to other regional offices required, alongside occasional travel to additional firm locations.

About You

The successful candidate will have strong AML and client due diligence experience, ideally gained within a law firm or financial services environment.

You will be confident dealing with complex AML matters and comfortable providing advice, making recommendations and escalating issues where appropriate.

You will have:

• Previous experience managing AML/CDD processes, client due diligence and electronic identity verification.
• Strong knowledge of AML legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Experience analysing complex documentation and making informed recommendations and escalations.
• Proven experience managing, leading and developing a team.
• Strong analytical, organisational and IT skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work independently.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with fee-earners and internal stakeholders.
• A degree-level qualification.
• An AML-related qualification would be highly desirable.
• Solicitor qualification/status would also be advantageous.

The Opportunity

This is a key position within the firm's Quality & Risk function, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to lead an established AML operation, develop a team and influence the firm's wider approach to risk, compliance and client onboarding.