Compliance Manager

EMG Solicitors; North East; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A national law firm in the North East is looking for a Compliance Manager with at least 4 years' experience to oversee compliance training and monitoring. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in regulatory compliance and contribute to firm-wide initiatives. The role involves working flexibly in a team-oriented environment, ensuring robust anti-money laundering practices. Excellent benefits are provided, including a competitive salary and annual bonus.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme

25 days holiday entitlement

Pension contributions

Employee Assistance Program

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years' experience in compliance, ideally in a law firm.
• Strong understanding of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017.
• Experience in designing and delivering compliance training.

Responsibilities

• Lead compliance training, monitoring, and audit functions.
• Conduct compliance audits across departments.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies on compliance issues.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Excellent communication

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Education

ICA or equivalent AML certification

Tools

Learning Management Systems (e.g., Litmos)

Compliance software

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

A little bit about us:

EMG Solicitors is an award winning Legal 500 law firm with offices across the North but acting nationally, specialising in Court of Protection, Deputyships, Mental Health Law, Family Law and Mediation, Residential Conveyancing, Dispute Resolution, Employment Law, Education Law and Wills, Trusts & Probate services.

Our mission is to provide the legal support our clients require in order to achieve anything from their basic needs to their wildest dreams and everything in between.

What are we looking for?

We are currently looking to recruit a Compliance Manager with a minimum of 4 years' experience, ideally within the legal or wider professional services sector. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of regulatory compliance and risk management relevant to law firms.

Where will you be based?

This role will be based from our Durham office, and we would expect you to travel and work from other offices from time to time.

How many hours will you be working?

This is a full-time role working 35 hours per week, however at EMG Solicitor we work flexibly, it's not a 9 to 5 role, but we do expect the work to be done, when you do it can be largely up to yourself, your Team Leader and the requirements of the firm.

A brief overview of the role:

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Compliance Manager and Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) to lead and support our compliance training, monitoring, and audit functions across our multi-branch law firm. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that our anti money laundering (AML) and compliance framework is robust, up to date, and effectively implemented across our Private Client, Conveyancing, Family, Litigation and Court of Protection teams.

What will we expect from you:

Generating work

Your work will be driven by the firm's need to meet regulatory obligations, maintain legal accreditations (such as Lexcel or CQS), and embed continual improvements across all areas. You will also contribute to firm wide innovation and problem-solving initiatives, often leading on compliance related project deliverables.

Undertaking work

You should be passionate about providing:

• Technically excellent advice and support to your internal colleagues, delivered in a user-friendly way.
• Exemplary client service.

We take the view we stand and fall as a team - you will need to work both on your own and as part of a team.

Getting paid for the work you do:

Training and Competency

• Design, deliver, and evaluate compliance and AML training programmes tailored to different practice areas and roles, including onboarding and refresher modules.
• Maintain centralised training records and monitor completion rates using the firm's Learning Management Systems (e.g., Litmos).
• Promote a culture of continual learning and reflective practice in line with SRA expectations.

Monitoring and Auditing

• Conduct regular thematic and file-based compliance audits across departments, ensuring compliance with LSAG and SRA guidance in relation to risk assessments and client due diligence.
• Monitor implementation of audit recommendations and elevate unresolved issues to the Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO).
• Track and report on AML breaches, trends, and remedial actions using the firm's QRC planning tools.

Escalation and Risk Review

• Review and triage AML and compliance escalations, including suspicious activity reports (SARs), CDD, source of funds/wealth concerns, and sanctions alerts.
• Liaise with the MLCO and the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) to ensure timely and appropriate responses to regulatory risks.
• Support the development and refinement of client and matter risk assessments.
• Support the development and maintenance of financial crime firm‑wide risk assessments

Policy and Procedure Development

• Assist in drafting and updating financial crime policies, procedures, and work instructions in line with evolving legislation and best practice.
• Contribute to firm‑wide compliance initiatives, including Lexcel and CQS accreditation, and participate in internal compliance committees or working groups.
• Horizon scanning for upcoming regulatory change

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a point of contact for fee earners and support staff on AML queries and compliance guidance.
• Collaborate with department heads to embed compliance and AML responsibilities into operational workflows.
• Represent the firm in external training events and regulatory briefings where appropriate.

To be able to perform this job you will need:

• You will have proven experience working within Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) in a professional services environment, ideally with exposure to risk and compliance functions in a UK law firm.
• A strong and up‑to‑date knowledge of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and LSAG guidance are essential, along with the ability to apply these confidently in practice.
• You will have experience in designing and delivering AML training, conducting audits, and managing compliance escalations with sound professional judgement.
• Excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills are key, as you will be engaging with colleagues across different teams to support and embed a culture of compliance.
• Familiarity with private client, conveyancing, and Court of Protection workflows would be highly advantageous.
• Ideally, you will hold (or be working towards) an ICA or equivalent AML certification.
  Experience using compliance software such as screening tools, electronic ID and verification systems, and LMS platforms would be beneficial.
• You'll also bring a proactive approach, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining the highest compliance standards across the firm.
• We also love to promote from within the firm, so we are looking for someone who has a desire for continuous personal and professional development.

A little bit about the colleague we're looking for:

We're looking for a colleague who aligns with our core values of:

• Cooperation - we proactively support our clients and each other.
• Courage- we are ambitious and think big.
• Excellence - we deliver excellence.
• Integrity- we are open and transparent.
• Kindness - we value people, communities, having fun and being happy.

We want someone who will work proactively to deliver exceptional client service through the knowledge and skills they bring to the role. We want someone who will go the extra mile for both their clients and their colleagues, so we can all achieve anything from our basic needs to our wildest dreams and everything in between.

What you can expect from us:

• Firm wide annual bonus scheme, in addition to a competitive salary.
• 4% Pension employer contributions offered through Standard Life.
• 25 days holiday entitlement per year (FTE) with an additional three days off at Christmas.

• 5 extra days paid leave on your 5-year anniversary - (and every 5 years thereafter).
• Life Assurance providing your loved ones with a 3x salary death in service benefit.
• Employee Assistance Program - a Freephone number you can call 24/7 for personal, legal and financial issues; to arrange counselling and a GP helpline.
• Free annual flu injection.
• EMG Rewards - Vivup app & Tastecard apps offering discounts across a large number of retailers.
• £50 Gift card on your birthday as well as a late start or early finish.
• £50 Gift card at Christmas plus Christmas closure (subject to variation).
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Car scheme.
• Fruit and refreshments in each office.
• If you want to take the family or friends out, we have two passes for Beamish open air museum which you can book out and take up to 10 people.
• Opportunity to join EMG working groups, such as our Green Team, Purpose Team, Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Team, and our Social Impact Team.
• Regular surveys to understand issues our team care about. Includes regular guest speakers on a wide range of topics.

Our Recruitment Process

To ensure a fair and consistent selection process, our recruitment for this role will follow three key stages:

• Application - Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements of the role.
• Interview and Presentation - Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an in-person interview, which will include a short presentation (details will be provided in advance).
• Second Interview - Final shortlisted candidates will be invited to a second interview before a final decision is made.

Interview dates:

We are aiming to hold first interviews on Thursday 28 November, Monday 2 December, and Wednesday 4 December. Please let us know if you have any availability issues when applying.

EMG Solicitors are an equal opportunities employer

To apply for this role you must have the right to work within the UK