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Job Title AML Officer
Closing Date 04-Apr-2024
Department Risk & Compliance
Job Location Bristol; London
Role Business Services
Description

We have a new opportunity for an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) professional to join the Client & Matter Inception function in our growing Risk & Compliance Team. This is an excellent role for someone with existing experience in AML interested in joining a growing and ambitious team in a hugely supportive environment. We are open to experience with this role, and therefore happy to consider applicants at Officer and Senior Officer level.

This is a permanent position, in which you can be based in either Bristol or London along with some home working too.

About us

Osborne Clarke (OC) is a future-focused international legal practice with over 300 Partners and more than 1,080 talented lawyers in 26 offices around the world*. Our three-dimensional approach to client service combines legal expertise, in-depth understanding of our clients and the sectors they operate in, together with insight into the global issues that are transforming the landscape of how we live, work and do business: Decarbonisation, Digitalisation and Urban Dynamics. Looking around corners to help our clients solve legal and business challenges, big and small, and harness the opportunities of change - together we'll be ready for what's next.

We love working closely with our clients on new deals, products and solutions which will transform their businesses, markets and even sectors. And our unique approachable culture is not an added extra, it's fundamental to our success.

The team

A positive and supportive team culture is a vital part of both the wider Risk & Compliance Team and the firm as a whole. Working together is at the heart of everything we do. It enables us to deliver a professional, high standard of service to the business within a happy and enjoyable environment. We believe in nurturing each person's strengths, supporting them when they need it and encouraging them to progress through personal development and training. We are a progressive and ever adapting team where opinions are always valued and input is always welcome.

What you'll do

An AML Officer would be expected to:

  • Collect and / or review CDD evidence required to meet the appropriate standards, in line with OC policy and procedures.
  • Prepare CDD Reports and risk assessments and liaise with and provide guidance to fee-earners to obtain further CDD where the existing documentation does not meet the requirements as set out by OC policy.
  • Monitor the CDD evidence gathered for new clients and new matters for existing clients and manage the Ongoing Monitoring required by OC policy, including preparing CDD Reviews, in association with fee-earners as appropriate.
  • Undertake PEPs and Sanctions checks as part of client & matter inception and escalate matters to the Senior AML Officers / Deputy AML Manager / Client & Matter Inception Manager as required.
  • Develop and maintain 'internal client' relationships across the organisation to deliver on project goals, identify and pursue new strategic initiatives, collect and provide feedback, etc.
  • Assist with projects undertaken by or impacting the Risk & Compliance Team as required.
  • Provide relevant support to the wider Client & Matter Inception and Risk & Compliance Team, as required.

In addition to these responsibilities, a Senior AML Officer would be expected to:

  • Provide an advisory service to fee-earners and other members of OC in relation to CDD, which will include:
    • delivering guidance, if required, on available public sources and identifying documents that may be held by the client;
    • assisting with client communication; and
    • advising on enhanced due diligence requirements.
  • Advise on PEPs and Sanctions as part of client & matter inception and ongoing monitoring as required and escalating matters to Senior Management for consideration and/or approval as necessary.
  • Assist other Business Services Teams, and in particular the Finance Team with AML related queries, including in relation to receipt and payment of client monies.
  • Maintain good current awareness of AML and Sanctions related regulatory changes and advise on and / or adapt procedures to ensure compliance.
  • Develop and provide face to face training or e-learning to relevant practice groups and Risk & Compliance staff, including particularly new inductees, promoting knowledge sharing across OC.
  • Focus on the maintenance and improvement of AML related compliance process & best practice, including any other duties that may be required to ensure the efficient operation of the compliance processes.
  • Provide support and guidance to AML Officers.

Your skills

We are looking for someone who has previous experience in an AML related role from a professional services background. More specifically we need someone who:

  • Is fully conversant with the requirements of the UK Money Laundering Regulations and the EU Directives on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.
  • Is familiar with a broad range of international company structures.
  • Has proven KYC / CDD experience in a regulated environment (law firm/banking or credit institution).
  • Has prior exposure to high risk clients, sanctions screening and PEPs.
  • Has experience obtaining CDD information direct from clients and from a wide variety of public sources.
  • Has excellent attention to detail.
  • Has strong interpersonal and customer service skills, able to interact with people at all levels, assertive and able to influence.
  • Has excellent communication skills, able to give clear guidance on how to evidence potentially complicated fact patterns.
  • Has a strong ability to multi-task, prioritise workloads and work effectively in a team.

Salary and benefits

We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits

For more information or to apply

We would very much welcome your application using the link provided. Should you have any questions about the role, or would like to find out more about the firm, please contact Patrick Fermin Ryan at patrick.ferminryan@osborneclarke.com

At Osborne Clarke we value difference and encourage applicants from all social backgrounds, ethnicities, disabilities, gender identities, and sexual or romantic orientations. We want everyone to feel that OC is a place where you can be yourself and where you belong, and our range of interest groups and diversity networksnot to mention our great teams - are a part of making that a reality.

Being an inclusive employer is important to us and we are committed to ensuring every applicant's recruitment experience is free from unnecessary barriers. We have made a number of external commitments such as the Race Fairness Commitment and Women in Law Pledge, and are working with organisations like Stonewall to become a more inclusive employer. We want you to be able to show us your best during the recruitment process.

If you have a dis/ability+, to include physical disability, hidden disability, long-term health condition or neurodivergence and meet the requirements listed in this job advert, we would be delighted to offer you a guaranteed interview. We want you to be able to show us your best during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to be made during the application, interview process or when working with us, please let us know.

We support working families via a range of family and caring friendly policies and will accommodate flexible working where we can. We value the health and wellbeing of our people: for example, we're signatories to the Mindful Business Charter, have an active network of mental health champions and offer free initiatives and flexible benefits to all our people.

Although we include closing dates for our roles as a guide, we review and progress applications on a rolling basis.

*Services in India are provided by a relationship firm