Risk & Ethics Advisor

SHOOSMITHS LLP; Northampton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Shoosmiths LLP is seeking a Risk & Ethics Advisor to join its established Risk & Ethics team. The role supports multiple offices and practice areas, helping embed risk management while aligning with commercial goals.

The candidate will handle queries on anti-financial crime, conflicts, regulatory matters, and data protection, with involvement in training and projects across the firm. The role requires at least two years' experience in risk and compliance within a professional services

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in risk and compliance within a professional services firm.
• Knowledge of SRA rules and data protection legislation.
• Ability to resolve conflicts of interest and maintain records accurately.

Responsibilities

• Support Senior Managers and the Risk & Ethics Directorate on a range of queries including anti-financial crime, conflicts, regulatory matters, and data protection.
• Process data protection rights requests and maintain relevant registers.
• Assist with process improvements and changes within Risk & Ethics projects.
• Provide clear regulatory guidance to internal stakeholders and assist with training materials.

Skills

Risk & compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Data protection

Conflict of interest

Job description

A leading UK law firm with a network of offices from the South Coast to Scotland, working together as one national team. An innovative practice and the first top 100 law firm to achieve "Gold Standard" Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm. The lack of barriers between departments, a real lack of hierarchy, zero tolerance for arrogance and pomposity makes Shoosmiths a fantastic place to work.

Risk & Ethics Advisor

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join an established and well-regarded risk & ethics team in the legal sector as Risk & Ethics Advisor. R&E supports all our offices/practice areas and enjoys a position at the heart of the business. Our aim is to ensure that the firm meets all its regulatory and legislative objectives and to ensure risk management processes are embedded into the firm's culture whilst championing the commercial needs of our business.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support Senior Managers and the wider Risk & Ethics Directorate with handling of wide range of queries relating to anti-financial crime, conflicts, regulatory matters, data protection, supplier questionnaires, claims and complaints.
• Assist with processing data protection rights requests, risk assessments and maintenance of relevant registers.
• Support change initiatives within R&E by assisting with process improvements and implementation of agreed changes.
• Provide support in delivering clear and practical regulatory and compliance guidance to internal stakeholders, seeking input from senior colleagues where appropriate.
• Contribute to firmwide projects, including supporting the implementation of systems (e.g. onboarding tools), as directed.
• Assist in the development of training materials and support the delivery of training sessions across the firm.
• Participate in R&E projects, supporting the delivery of specific workstreams and tasks to help manage and mitigate risk across the business.
• Assist with policy updates as instructed by senior management.
• Assist with research, analysis and progression of matters under supervision.

Skills & Qualifications

• Two years' experience working in risk and compliance within a professional services firm.
• Good working knowledge and experience resolving conflict of interest issues.
• Knowledge of legislation affecting solicitors including SRA rules and data protection.

Desirable

• Experience assisting with internal and external investigations, including responding to queries from The Legal Ombudsman, ICO, SRA or another appropriate regulator.

Personal Attributes

• A passion for risk & ethics including the commercial benefits compliance brings to a large organisation.
• Energetic, self-motivated and with a can-do attitude.
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills both verbally and written able to communicate at all levels.
• Confident in using judgment appropriately and seek guidance were needed.
• Able to work in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• Focused on quality of output as well as speed of delivery.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Demonstrates commercial acumen and a pragmatic attitude.

Background Checks

Due to the nature of the work undertaken, confirmation of employment will be subject to a variety of checks which will be carried out once an offer of employment is accepted. These checks will include employment references covering the last 5 years, proof of ID, proof of address covering the last 5 years, Personnel Vetting credit search (which will only highlight insolvency or County Court Judgements - should any adverse data show on the Personnel Vetting search then any offer of employment made will be withdrawn), Terrorism Check (against data supplied by the Bank of England) and a DBS check previously known as a Criminal Records check.

Equal Opportunities

Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues. This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.