Risk & Compliance Team Leader

AJ FOX COMPLIANCE; West of England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

AJ FOX COMPLIANCE on behalf of a leading UK law firm seeks a Team Leader in Risk & Compliance to steer business acceptance, conflicts clearance and ongoing monitoring.

You will oversee a small team of compliance analysts, triage requests, provide clear guidance on CDD, KYC, AML and sanctions, and translate legislation into practical risk-based decisions while building strong stakeholder relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a compliance or risk function within a professional services firm.
• Strong knowledge of client due diligence, conflicts checks, and AML requirements.
• Ability to prioritise, provide clear guidance, and make risk-based decisions.

Responsibilities

• Supervise compliance analysts undertaking conflicts checks, client due diligence, and risk assessments.
• Triage and allocate incoming work, including conflicts requests and new client inception.
• Provide clear, accurate advice on CDD, KYC, AML, sanctions, conflicts and business acceptance requirements.
• Interpret legislation, regulatory rules and internal policies to support risk-based decisions.
• Act as a key contact for queries from partners, employees and the wider business.
• Monitor workloads and service levels, collaborating with Team Leaders and managers.
• Conduct supervision meetings and appraisals, supporting performance and development.
• Escalate complex, sensitive or reputational issues with recommended actions.
• Contribute to risk and compliance projects, training materials, and governance reporting.
• Develop management reporting for senior management and governance boards.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and promote a positive compliance culture.

Skills

Leadership

Risk & Compliance

CDD / KYC / AML

Stakeholder management

Regulatory interpretation

Job description

We are working with a leading UK law firm with national and international reach to appoint a Team Leader in Risk & Compliance. You will help lead the team, overseeing business acceptance, conflicts clearance and ongoing monitoring while supporting the firm’s wider risk and compliance agenda.

The firm is looking for an experienced compliance professional with strong knowledge of legal conflicts, client due diligence and anti-money laundering requirements within a law firm. You will bring sound judgement, excellent communication skills, people-management or mentoring experience, commercial awareness and the ability to prioritise effectively while making risk-based decisions.

The responsibilities will include:

• Supervise compliance analysts undertaking conflicts checks, client due diligence, client and matter risk assessments and related legal compliance activities.
• Triage and allocate incoming work, including conflicts requests, new client inception, source of funds and third-party payment queries.
• Provide clear, accurate advice on CDD, KYC, AML, sanctions, conflicts and business acceptance requirements.
• Interpret legislation, regulatory rules and internal policies to support proportionate, risk-based decisions.
• Act as a key contact for queries from partners, employees and the wider business.
• Monitor workloads and service levels, collaborating with fellow Team Leaders, the Assistant Manager and Team Manager.
• Conduct supervision meetings and appraisals, supporting performance, attendance and development matters.
• Escalate complex, sensitive or reputational issues with recommended courses of action.
• Contribute to risk and compliance projects, process improvements, training materials, guidance and firm-wide presentations.
• Develop management reporting and monthly information for senior management and governance boards.
• Build strong stakeholder relationships and promote a positive compliance and risk culture across the firm.

This is an excellent opportunity to take a leading role within a progressive Risk and Compliance function and contribute to high-profile business protection work.