Senior AML Compliance Officer

Ampa - Legal & Professional Services; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal services group in the UK is seeking a Senior AML Compliance Officer to enhance financial crime controls across its brands. This role involves leading AML processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and providing guidance to stakeholders. Candidates should have over 3 years of AML experience, preferably within a law firm, and possess a relevant professional qualification. The position offers collaborative work in a multi-disciplinary environment focused on compliance excellence.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in AML or compliance roles within a law firm.
• Experience managing internal investigations and regulatory enquiries.
• Ability to work independently and manage compliance tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead AML, sanctions, CDD/KYC, and client onboarding processes.
• Support the design and improvement of compliance policies.
• Act as a subject-matter expert for compliance queries.

Skills

AML compliance

Financial crime compliance

SRA Standards & Regulations

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

IT systems proficiency

Education

Qualified solicitor or compliance experience

ICA AML Diploma or Advanced Certificate

Job description

What we can offer you :

• A Crucial Role in Protecting the Business : Join a forward-thinking legal and professional services group where you’ll play a vital part in safeguarding our regulated and unregulated brands through expert risk and compliance leadership.
• Autonomy and Influence : Shape how we manage financial crime risk across the business. Bring your expertise, drive best practice, and take ownership of core AML and regulatory compliance processes.
• Collaborative, Multi-Disciplinary Culture : Work closely with the AML Manager, senior Compliance leaders, and colleagues across the Risk & Compliance function, with opportunities to mentor and develop junior team members.
• Career Growth & Specialism : You’ll gain exposure to complex financial crime matters, regulatory engagement, audits, and business-wide projects, with support to further develop your AML and compliance expertise.

The Role

We’re looking for a Senior AML Compliance Officer to strengthen our Risk & Compliance team and help ensure robust financial crime controls across all of our regulated and unregulated brands.

In this role, you’ll provide specialist AML, sanctions, anti‑bribery, and broader compliance guidance to stakeholders across the business, while helping to design, review, and implement our internal systems and controls.

You will be a key escalation point for complex CDD, KYC, onboarding, and risk assessment queries, and you’ll support internal audits, regulatory interactions, and continuous improvement of our compliance frameworks. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast‑paced legal environment and wants to make a meaningful impact on risk management and firm‑wide compliance culture.

This role is predominantly based from our West Midlands hub, with travel into the office typically twice per month.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on Financial Crime Compliance : Drive AML, sanctions, CDD / KYC, and client onboarding processes across the business, ensuring best practice and adherence to regulatory standards.
• Maintain and Enhance Controls : Support the design, review, and ongoing improvement of policies, procedures, and practice‑wide risk assessments.
• Complex Query Resolution : Act as a subject‑matter expert for AML, sanctions, conflicts, and SRA regulatory requirements, handling complex and high‑risk onboarding queries.
• Monitoring, Reporting & Investigations : Track compliance issues, prepare reports, conduct file reviews, and lead internal audits and investigations.
• Regulatory Engagement : Assist in responding to regulatory enquiries and liaise with bodies such as the SRA.
• Training & Guidance : Draft compliance bulletins and advice notes, and deliver training across the business to ensure high standards and awareness.
• Audit Support : Support internal and external audits, including those carried out by clients, suppliers, and regulators.
• Business‑Wide Collaboration : Contribute to cross‑group projects, including new technologies, changes in legislation, and process improvements.
• Horizon Scanning : Stay informed on financial crime trends, regulatory developments, and best practice affecting the legal sector.
• Stakeholder Engagement : Attend internal and external networking events and present as required.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Strong experience in AML, sanctions, and financial crime compliance within a UK law firm or similar regulated environment.
• Solid understanding of SRA Standards & Regulations, Money Laundering Regulations, Proceeds of Crime Act and LSAG guidance.
• Experience managing internal investigations and responding to regulatory enquiries.
• Able to work independently, prioritise effectively, and manage multiple compliance tasks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with sound professional judgement.
• Collaborative and approachable, able to engage confidently with stakeholders at all levels.
• High attention to detail and commitment to ethical, compliant working practices.
• Comfortable using a range of IT systems and platforms.

Qualification Requirements

• 3+ years’ experience in AML or compliance roles within a law firm.
• Qualified solicitor or experience within an in‑house Risk & Compliance team.
• Professional AML qualification (e.g., ICA AML Diploma or Advanced Certificate).

About Ampa Group

Welcome to Ampa - a leading group of legal and professional services brands, home to leading legal services firms such Shakespeare Martineau, Lime Solicitors, Mayo Wynne Baxter, Marrons and others.

Our ‘House of Brands’, is where legal and professional service brands converge to unlock exciting opportunities for career advancement, collaboration, and comprehensive business services support across various disciplines including HR, IT, finance, and marketing.

Our overall purpose is to act as the cornerstone that facilitates the growth of every brand within our collective, empowering them with enhanced purchasing capabilities, access to specialised expertise, and a cohesive set of values and culture.

At our core, we are dedicated to creating an environment where each brand thrives through mutual growth and co‑operation. Through our shared infrastructure and central support, we enable our brands to flourish, using the strength of our collective resources.

If you are passionate about driving positive change and immersing yourself in an inclusive, diverse, and supportive culture, then we invite you to join our team as we continue to unlock the potential in our people, clients, and investors.