Head of Compliance

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace to attract and retain the most talented people from all backgrounds and cultures. We believe in celebrating difference and that people from any background can rise to the top, ensuring opportunities to develop and progress are available for all.
The department

The core Compliance Team at Watson Farley & Williams is based in London and is comprised of: Director of Risk & Compliance, Assistant Compliance Manager, Senior Compliance Officers, Compliance Officers, a Junior Compliance Officer and a Compliance Administrator. As part of our strategy for growth we have also recently appointed Senior Compliance officers in Greece and Germany and promoted a member of the team to the position of Compliance Manager in Singapore.
Role overview

This is a newly established role focused on managing the firm's compliance function in the UK, EU and USA and presents an exciting opportunity to support the Director of Risk & Compliance. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and dedicated compliance professional to take their career to the next level at an international law firm.

The role involves advising and assisting the firm, its partners and staff with compliance, ethical, regulatory, professional conduct and risk issues in line with the firm's policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will oversee all compliance activities pertaining to the offices for which they are responsible, including new business intake (Anti-Money Laundering ("AML"), conflict checking and matter opening more generally) and regulatory compliance (including sanctions). They will also be responsible for ensuring that best practice policies, procedures and guidelines are in place to respond to and manage any potential risks to the firm and to ensure compliance with the firm's regulatory requirements.

The Head of Compliance will also play a key role in managing, developing and growing those compliance team members that report to the successful candidate.
Key internal contacts

Neeta Aulak, Director of Risk & Compliance.
Key activities/responsibilities

The role covers all aspects of AML, counter terrorist financing and sanctions compliance and will involve working with key stakeholders across the business. The list of duties and responsibilities below is not exhaustive and is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job and, as such, the role may also include undertaking additional tasks as required.

• Analysing and responding appropriately to queries involving complex AML, sanctions or regulatory issues and conflicts of interest.


• Overseeing regular internal e-learning and face to face training on compliance related issues including induction training for new joiners and periodic firmwide refresher training to maintain and build knowledge.


• Leading on horizon scanning for developments in relevant laws, regulations, market practice and potential issues that may impact the firm and ensuring regular review and maintenance of the firm's policies, controls, and procedures.


• Collaborating to make improvements to systems and processes.


• Assisting the Director of Risk & Compliance (MLRO), Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) and Compliance Officer for Finance and Administration (COFA), in the management of regulatory, professional ethics and compliance matters relevant to lawyers and Business Functions staff including assisting them to report and remedy any breaches or areas of non-compliance.


• Overseeing the delivery of the firm's annual renewal of SRA authorisations and practicing certificates.


• Overseeing annual independent AML audits and maintaining the firmwide AML and sanctions risk assessments.


• Assisting with the firm's annual renewal of professional indemnity insurance, cyber insurance, and other general insurances that the firm may have in place from time to time.


• Assisting, and working collaboratively with, the office of the General Counsel and other Business Functions teams.


• Assisting with the preparation of periodic Risk & Compliance reports for the firm's Operations and Supervisory Board, on the status of compliance across the firm.


• Representing the firm at external risk management networking events and conferences.


• Recruitment, training, developing, managing, and supervising individuals within the team.


• Assisting with leading on major projects e.g. group lateral hires, new office openings and other relevant work-streams.


• Ensuring Risk & Compliance registers (including breach registers and risk registers) are properly maintained, and regular reports are produced to keep the Risk & Compliance Director updated on issues of which they should be aware.


• Providing support and overseeing the processing of any Data Subject Access Requests.


• Working with the Director of Risk and Compliance and wider stakeholders with the implementation and testing of the firm's business continuity plan.


• Advising on clients and third-party supplier's risk management process including onboarding questionnaires, risk assessments and audits.


• Reviewing requests for the firm's standard terms of business and/or the review of panel or client framework agreements., The Firm promotes a culture of agility and flexibility and is fully supportive of flexible working arrangements where these can be accommodated.

Equal opportunities

Respect for different backgrounds and perspectives is at the heart of our firm's core values and we recognise the importance of fostering an inclusive environment that allows everyone to reach their full potential. This is a key feature of our Global Code of Conduct, which places diversity and inclusion at the centre of our firm's ways of working.

We believe that exceptional client service can only be delivered by exceptional people. For this reason, we aim to attract, retain and develop the best talent from a wide range of backgrounds. All decisions relating to employment will be objective and based on merit and ability.

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are as inclusive and barrier-free as possible. This includes making adjustments for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition. If you require adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, we'd encourage you to get in touch with a member of our team who would be happy to discuss options with you.

The successful candidate will:

• Have significant experience (at least 8 years) in AML compliance and conflicts management, preferably gained at an international law firm.


• Have strong knowledge and understanding of law firm legal and regulatory obligations relating to client and matter inception (in particular AML, conflicts of interests, confidentiality, data protection, sanctions).


• Be able to demonstrate good judgement, business awareness, strong organisational skills and attention to detail.


• Have the ability to work and deliver well under pressure.


• Have an eye for detail.


• Have strong commercial aptitude with a pragmatic and solutions focused approach.


• Be flexible and able to adapt to new situations, processes, and technologies.


• Have previous management, supervisory and team leading experience.


• Have excellent communication skills both written and oral.


• Have the ability to build professional relationships quickly and influence internal and external stakeholders.


• Be committed to personal development.


• Have an aptitude for cross-functional working.


Skills and experience - desired

A legal qualification is desirable but not essential if the relevant skills and experience above have been proved in a comparable role.

Watson Farley & Williams is an international law firm advising on complex disputes and transactions through local knowledge and an integrated international network. We have a strong sector focus, combining our technical excellence with deep industry knowledge across Energy, Transport and associated Infrastructure.

The firm has achieved rapid expansion and year-on-year growth owed almost entirely to a focused strategy, strong leadership and the quality of its people. The next stage in the firm's growth plan is to achieve full-service strength within core sectors across the global platform.

We strive for excellence in all that we do and view investment in our people as key to achieving our business goals and values, which rest on developing deep and long-lasting relationships externally and internally through respect, sharing, communication and integrity.

Our global practice is integrated across our offices in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America delivering consistently high levels of service across borders and locally through a deep understanding of local business customs and culture.

We offer a competitive benefits and wellbeing package for all employees.