Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP)

QED Legal; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

QED Legal searches for an experienced Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) in Sheffield. You will lead regulatory compliance and risk across the firm, reporting to Directors and senior stakeholders while embedding robust policies and controls.

This senior role requires in-depth knowledge of SRA standards and the ability to advise the Board on regulatory developments. Hybrid working is available, with direct access to the Board and an opportunity to shape the firm’s compliance culture.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the SRA Standards and Regulations.
• Experience in law firm compliance, risk or governance.
• Ability to hold the COLP appointment.
• Exposure to regulatory compliance, complaints, breaches, policies and risk management.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into clear, practical advice.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to work with senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Act as the firm’s COLP and maintain an effective regulatory compliance framework.
• Advise the Board and wider firm on SRA requirements and regulatory developments.
• Identify, manage and report potential breaches and areas of regulatory risk.
• Review and develop policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Oversee complaints, claims and wider risk management matters.
• Support Lexcel and other accreditations.
• Deliver practical compliance training across the business.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to promote a commercial compliance culture.
• Support governance and strategic projects across the firm.

Skills

SRA standards & regulations

Regulatory compliance

Governance & risk

Stakeholder management

Translate regulation into advice

COLP appointment readiness

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP)

Sheffield

A well-established Sheffield law firm is looking for an experienced legal compliance professional to join its senior leadership team as Compliance Officer for Legal Practice.

This is a broad, influential role with responsibility for leading the firm’s approach to regulatory compliance, risk and governance. You’ll work closely with the firm’s Directors and senior stakeholders, providing practical advice and ensuring compliance is properly embedded across the business.

The Role?

• Acting as the firm’s COLP and maintaining an effective regulatory compliance framework
• Advising the Board and wider firm on SRA requirements, professional standards and regulatory developments
• Identifying, managing and reporting potential breaches and areas of regulatory risk
• Reviewing and developing policies, procedures and internal controls
• Overseeing complaints, claims and wider risk management matters
• Supporting the firm with Lexcel and other relevant accreditations
• Delivering practical compliance training across the business
• Working closely with senior stakeholders to promote a positive and commercially focused compliance culture
• Supporting wider governance and strategic projects across the firm

About you?

• Strong knowledge of the SRA Standards and Regulations
• Previous experience working within a law firm compliance, risk or governance role
• The confidence and experience required to hold the COLP appointment
• Broad exposure to areas such as regulatory compliance, complaints, breaches, policies, accreditations and risk management
• The ability to translate regulatory requirements into clear, practical advice
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to work closely with senior leaders

You may already be working as a COLP, Head of Risk & Compliance, Compliance Manager or senior Risk & Compliance Lawyer and be looking for an opportunity to take ownership of the function within an established regional firm.

You must be a qualified solicitor in England & Wales

What’s in it for you?

• A genuinely influential role within the firm’s senior leadership structure
• The opportunity to shape and develop the firm’s compliance and risk strategy
• Direct access to the Board and key decision-makers
• A broad role with real ownership and visibility
• Hybrid working
• The chance to join an established, supportive and highly regarded Sheffield firm