Senior Risk and Intake Analyst

Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Related Pay

Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance (BUPA)

Holidays 25 days + 9 public holidays

Cycle to Work Scheme

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Job summary

Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP is seeking a senior Risk Advisor to provide expert guidance on AML, KYC, client onboarding and risk assessment. You will lead complex cases, supervise junior colleagues, and help enhance onboarding, AML, and conflicts processes while supporting stakeholder decision-making.

You will act as a senior escalation point for fee earners and risk teams, applying risk-based judgement to high-risk onboarding and conflicts, with delegated authority within defined risk appetite.

Qualifications

• Two years minimum as a risk advisor in professional services.
• Strong AML/KYC knowledge and risk frameworks.
• Ability to analyze complex client onboarding tools and systems.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior staff.
• Excellent Word and Excel skills.
• Ability to explain data outputs clearly.

Responsibilities

• Review and collect CDD for new and existing clients with risk-based decisions.
• Oversee conflicts checks and analysis, escalate when needed.
• Provide senior guidance on AML onboarding and conflicts.
• Assess Source of Funds/Wealth evidence for clients.
• Plan and conduct AML monitoring and file reviews.
• Deliver induction training on conflicts and onboarding.

Skills

AML/KYC knowledge

Risk management

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Prioritisation

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

Morton Fraser MacRoberts (MFMac) is a leading independent Scottish law firm, known for combining deep legal expertise with clear, practical advice that helps clients achieve their objectives. With more than 480 people across its Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, including 72 partners, the firm provides a full range of legal services to businesses, public sector organisations, charities, individuals and families.

MFMac works with clients across the private, public and third sectors, supporting some of the UK's most recognisable organisations and institutions. Its client base includes the UK and Scottish Governments, Breedon Group plc, CALA Homes, Diageo, HSBC plc, the Ministry of Defence, NHS Scotland, Schuh, Skyscanner and SSE plc. Through its sector knowledge, collaborative approach and commercial focus, the firm delivers practical solutions to complex legal challenges.

Summary of Role

Provide expert support on all aspects of Anti Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), client onboarding, and risk assessment, acting as a trusted advisor to the business. Lead complex cases, oversee quality, support junior colleagues, and contribute to the continuous improvement of onboarding, AML, and conflicts processes.

Provide senior support in the management of conflicts of interest, carrying out and overseeing conflicts identification, analysis, escalation and supporting resolution, as well as providing guidance to stakeholders on conflict identification, assessment, and mitigation.

They hold delegated authority to make risk-based decisions on complex onboarding, conflicts and AML matters within defined risk appetite

Key Tasks

• Collects and reviews CDD for new & existing clients, liaising internally with fee earners and externally with clients/others as appropriate. Conducts and interprets electronic verification checks, including adverse media, PEP and sanctions screening, and makes appropriate risk-based decisions on KYC gathered.
• Conducts, oversees and manages conflicts checks and analysis by reviewing search outputs, identifying and assessing potential conflicts, and engaging with fee earners to obtain and challenge relevant information. Applies risk-based judgement to approve or discount conflicts within delegated authority, ensures accurate recording of decisions, and escalates complex, high-risk, or regulatory-sensitive matters where required.
• Acts as a senior advisor and escalation point for fee earners and junior risk members on AML, onboarding, and conflicts matters, providing clear, pragmatic guidance and appropriate business challenge. Assessing High Risk outcomes and varying types of Source of Funds and Source of Wealth evidence for private and commercial clients (bank statements, annual accounts, etc.).
• Plans, allocates and conducts self-service and other file reviews as part of a wider AML monitoring regime, including assessment of CDD material and risk assessments. Liaises with stakeholders and provides clear, data-driven insight to risk teams.
• Completes workflow and matter management tasks, including closing/re-opening task flows and carrying out data analysis and rectification of client and party details.
• Delivers induction training in conflicts and onboarding to new starters and contributes to the development of team capability.
• Supports wider risk team activities by owning and contributing to operational and strategic initiatives, including projects, audits, reporting, system changes, and policy updates.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of two years as a risk advisor, or similar role at another professional services firm
• An understanding of conflicts identification, analysis, resolution and escalation
• Strong technical knowledge of AML/KYC, financial crime, and risk frameworks
• Ability to analyse and understand complex client onboarding tools and systems
• Act as a subject matter expert on client/matter set up
• Advanced Word / Excel skills
• Researching, investigating, analysing and reporting background
• Proven ability to handle complex cases and provide expert advice
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior staff
• Great eye for detail and ability to explain data outputs
• Enhanced written and oral communication, with an ability to influence, support and guide people through complex processes
• Strong, logical prioritisation and organisational skills
• Strong client focus and ability to partner with internal and external groups
• Strong team-working approach to build a dynamic and efficient team including empathy, openness, transparency and an ability to constructively confront disagreement

Person Specification

• You have excellent communication skills, you are articulate, you communicate clearly, concisely and without any jargon.
• You enjoy working within a team and autonomously on your own initiative.
• You are personable and good at building and developing client relationships.
• You are confident and you have a strong belief in yourself and your own ability.
• You are committed to providing a good client experience and willing to put in extra time and effort when required

Here at Morton Fraser MacRoberts we believe in a positive work life balance and in an inclusive and friendly working environment.

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome. We know that a culture of inclusion drives great results, and we're committed to making sure all our people feel valued and empowered. If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the application process, just let us know in your application. We will support you every step of the way. If you have a disability and meet the basic requirements for the role, we will guarantee you an interview.

We offer a generous benefits package including:

• Profit Related Pay
• Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance for all employees (BUPA)
• Holidays starting at 25 days plus 9 public holidays (plus birthday off)
• Tax Efficient Car Lease Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Access to Comprehensive Wellbeing resources
• Retail Discounts

We operate our business on an agile basis reflecting the needs of our clients and our people to deliver outstanding client service. We will agree a suitable office/homeworking arrangement with all candidates.

As signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant, we recognise the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. Please ensure you include any military skills and qualifications you hold when applying for a vacancy with us to ensure they are recognised during our recruitment and selection process.