Business Acceptance Manager

PYVITAL Ltd; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PYVITAL Ltd seeks a Business Acceptance Manager to lead the Central Compliance Unit within the Risk & Ethics function. You will manage client onboarding, conflicts of interest, and high-risk AML/ABC matters, guiding regulatory compliance while supporting business objectives.

You will develop a high-performing team, embed robust processes, and collaborate with senior stakeholders to balance regulatory obligations with commercial priorities across the firm.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in risk and compliance within a commercial law firm.
• Strong people management including coaching and development of teams.
• Detailed knowledge of AML legislation and Money Laundering Regulations with commercial application.
• Good understanding of SRA rules and regulatory framework affecting solicitors.
• Experience advising on conflicts of interest and complex business acceptance matters.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of Central Compliance Unit and onboarding processes.
• Manage conflicts of interest, confidentiality and disclosure issues; advise on regulatory requirements.
• Escalate higher-risk financial crime matters (PEPs, sanctions, high-risk jurisdictions).
• Review complex anti-financial crime escalations (AML, ABC, sanctions, reputational risk).
• Lead and develop a team of compliance professionals and drive performance and development.

Skills

Risk & compliance

Team leadership

AML knowledge

Regulatory reporting

Stakeholder management

Job description

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

About the Role:

We’re recruiting for a Business Acceptance Manager to join the Risk & Ethics function of a leading UK law firm. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced risk and compliance professional to take responsibility for the day-to-day management and development of a Central Compliance Unit, ensuring the business meets its regulatory obligations while supporting its commercial objectives.

Working closely with senior compliance leaders, Partners, legal teams and wider business stakeholders, you’ll oversee client and matter onboarding, manage complex conflicts of interest and confidentiality issues, and act as an escalation point for higher-risk anti-financial crime matters. You’ll play a key role in managing reputational risk, embedding compliance processes and ensuring the firm operates in line with relevant legal and regulatory requirements.

Alongside your technical expertise, you’ll lead and develop a team of compliance professionals, driving operational efficiency, improving processes and building a culture of continuous learning and high performance. This role would suit someone with a strong background in law firm risk and compliance who can balance regulatory requirements with commercial considerations.

Key Responsibilities:

Risk & Compliance Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Central Compliance Unit, ensuring effective client and matter onboarding processes.
• Manage complex conflicts of interest, confidentiality and disclosure issues, providing guidance on relevant regulatory requirements.
• Act as an escalation point for higher-risk financial crime matters, including politically exposed persons (PEPs), sanctions and high-risk jurisdictions.
• Support the review of complex anti-financial crime escalations, including anti-money laundering (AML), anti-bribery and corruption (ABC), sanctions and reputational risk.
• Work closely with the firm's Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO) and their deputies.
• Assess potential new clients and matters against the firm's risk appetite, sector focus and ethics guidance.
• Support the maintenance and review of risk registers, compliance plans and firmwide policies.
• Ensure the firm continues to meet its legal, regulatory and professional obligations.
• Manage and develop a team of compliance professionals, including trainees, analysts, specialists and senior specialists.
• Oversee workload allocation, team performance, succession planning and individual development.
• Provide coaching, constructive feedback and support to build a high-performing team.
• Take ownership of the team's training and development framework, including onboarding new employees and delivering technical and regulatory training.
• Identify skills gaps and support individual development plans and career progression.
• Promote knowledge sharing, collaboration and a culture of continuous improvement.

Operational Efficiency & Process Improvement

• Review day-to-day operations to ensure the Central Compliance Unit operates effectively and meets the needs of the wider business.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, operational efficiency and client service.
• Embed consistent onboarding and compliance procedures across the firm.
• Ensure processes capture accurate management information while meeting regulatory requirements.
• Work with the wider Risk & Ethics team to implement quality and regulatory initiatives.
• Contribute to risk management projects and wider business improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Management & Business Support

• Build effective working relationships with Partners, legal advisers, senior management and the wider Risk & Ethics directorate.
• Work closely with senior compliance leaders to support the firm's regulatory and strategic objectives.
• Provide clear guidance on risk, compliance and business acceptance matters.
• Balance regulatory requirements with commercial priorities, taking a pragmatic and risk-aware approach.
• Analyse complex information and prepare clear reports to support decision-making.

Candidate Profile:

• Proven experience in a risk and compliance environment within a commercial law firm.
• Previous people management experience, including leading, coaching and developing teams.
• Detailed knowledge of AML legislation and the Money Laundering Regulations, with the ability to apply these in a commercial context.
• Strong understanding of SRA rules and the regulatory framework affecting solicitors.
• Experience managing or advising on conflicts of interest and complex business acceptance matters.
• Strong understanding of financial crime risks, including AML, sanctions and anti-bribery and corruption.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and work collaboratively across the business.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance regulatory obligations with business needs.
• Excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• A proactive and resilient approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a demanding environment.
• Experience managing a Central Compliance Unit or similar client and matter onboarding function.
• Experience developing compliance training frameworks and supporting professional development within a team.
• Experience contributing to firmwide risk management projects, policy development and continuous improvement initiatives.

What Our Client Offers:

• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• The opportunity to lead and develop an established compliance team.
• A key role within a dedicated Risk & Ethics function.
• Exposure to complex regulatory, financial crime and business acceptance matters.
• The opportunity to influence operational efficiency and compliance processes across the firm.
• Close collaboration with senior stakeholders and legal professionals.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

About Us:

PYVITAL is a Birmingham-based recruitment and consultancy business supporting organisations across the UK with experienced professionals across Finance, Sales, Marketing, Operations, HR and more.

We take a straightforward, people-focused approach to recruitment, taking the time to understand both our clients and candidates to ensure the right fit for everyone involved.