Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions | London | Top 25 UK Law Firm
Are you an experienced Financial Crime, AML or Risk & Compliance professional looking to take on a strategic leadership role within one of the UK’s leading international law firms?
This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a market-leading Financial Crime & Sanctions function, shaping the firm’s global approach to financial crime compliance while working alongside senior leadership on complex regulatory, risk management and onboarding matters.
About the Firm
This Legal 500 and Chambers-ranked firm has built an outstanding reputation for delivering commercially focused legal advice to multinational corporations, financial institutions, investors and high-growth businesses. With market-leading expertise across Financial Services, Technology, Real Estate, Energy, Healthcare, Private Client and Corporate law, the firm combines international reach with a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture.
Recognised as an employer of choice, the firm continues to invest heavily in innovation, technology and talent development, offering genuine long-term career opportunities within a supportive and forward-thinking environment.
About the Team
The Financial Crime & Sanctions function sits within the Office of the General Counsel and plays a vital role in protecting the firm through best-in-class financial crime compliance across its international business.
Working as part of the Onboarding leadership team, the function oversees AML, sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, fraud prevention and wider regulatory compliance. The team comprises more than 30 lawyers, analysts and compliance professionals working closely with the General Counsel, MLROs, Partners and senior stakeholders across the firm.
The Role
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of the firm’s most strategically important compliance functions.
As Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions, you will lead and develop a high-performing international team while driving the firm’s financial crime strategy across multiple jurisdictions. You will oversee policy development, provide senior leadership on complex compliance issues and work closely with the General Counsel, MLRO community and senior management to ensure the firm remains at the forefront of regulatory best practice.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading the firm’s Financial Crime & Sanctions function across its international offices.
- Overseeing AML, sanctions, anti-bribery and wider financial crime compliance frameworks.
- Managing client due diligence, client risk assessments and high-risk escalations.
- Developing and implementing financial crime policies, controls and procedures.
- Acting as the senior decision-maker on complex financial crime matters.
- Supporting international regulatory audits and maintaining relationships with regulators.
- Driving operational excellence through effective leadership, KPIs and continuous improvement.
- Championing technology and innovation to enhance onboarding and compliance processes.
- Leading, mentoring and developing a team of lawyers, analysts and compliance professionals.
- Building trusted relationships with Partners and senior stakeholders across the business.
Requirements
- At least 10 years’ experience within Financial Crime, AML, Risk & Compliance or Financial Services Regulation gained within a leading law firm, financial institution or professional services environment.
- Exceptional knowledge of UK financial crime legislation, together with experience of international regulatory regimes.
- Proven leadership experience within a financial crime or compliance function.
- Experience developing financial crime policies, controls and governance frameworks.
- Strong commercial judgement with the ability to balance risk management and client service.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication and decision-making skills.
- Experience of onboarding systems, compliance technology and process improvement initiatives would be advantageous.
With financial crime regulation continuing to evolve across the legal sector, this is an outstanding opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading international law firms in a highly visible leadership role, offering genuine strategic influence and international exposure.
Apply now for immediate consideration or contact Charlie Simpkin at JMC Legal Recruitment for a confidential discussion.
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