Risk & Compliance Officer (Transactional Shipping)

Risk & Compliance Officer (Transactional Shipping)

The Firm
HFW is a sector focused global law firm.  We have over 600 lawyers working across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.  We take a progressive approach to our roles in commercial business – thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients.

Whether we are solving complex issues within the construction, aviation or shipping industries, or providing advice across insurance, commodities and energy, we are specialist lawyers here to add value to our clients.  We think about the commercial solution first, and then underpin our advice with a solid foundation of legal expertise. 

The Role
To provide practice support to our offices on high-risk shipping transactional matters and the related know your client ("KYC") requirements for these specifically, and on aspects of risk, regulatory compliance and conflicts more generally.  

Key Responsibilities
The role will include but will not be limited to:

• Assisting the transactional shipping completion services teams in reviewing and analysing the due diligence documents received for the parties of completion services matters, including evidence of source of funds and source of wealth.
• Assisting with KYC, AML and sanctions searches on clients in other matters (as appropriate), and advising members of the firm to ensure proper identification of the legal client.
• Assisting the Risk & Compliance team in general daily tasks.
• Assisting in opening new matters and ensuring all matter and client details are correct and the completion of correct matter inception steps are undertaken.
• Auditing files to check compliance with firm policy, legal and regulatory requirements as well as being aware of reputational and commercial implications, and providing practical, commercial advice where appropriate.
• Assisting the Revenue & Collections team as necessary.
• Providing internal training to the team and wider firm on KYC and AML, to embed best practice.
• Undertaking research and other projects as needed.

Key Skills & Experience Required
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate excellent administrative skills, as well as the ability to develop strong working relationships with lawyers and business services staff across the firm.  It will be essential to gain a rapid understanding of the firm's business in order to support the conflict decisions that need to be made as proactively as possible.

• A minimum of 3 years' experience in a compliance function at a professional services (ideally, law) firm.
• Experience conducting KYC checks.
• Understanding of financial documents highly desirable.
• Bachelor of Laws or equivalent degree desirable, with some legal work experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a framework of regulatory compliance.
• The capability, after training if necessary, to identify conflicts and risk within a law firm.
• Resilience and the ability to develop and maintain strong internal and external relationships, while working both autonomously and as part of a global team.
• Excellent communication skills.
• The ability to work in an environment where quality output is paramount  while dealing with tight deadlines.
• Analytical and organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Strong attention to detail and proven ability to handle confidential information in a professional and discreet manner.
• A high level of proficiency in MS Outlook, Word and Excel.

Additional Information
Kindly note that this job description is not contractual.  It will be reviewed periodically and may be amended or altered to meet the needs of the firm.

HFW aims to ensure equality of opportunity and we are actively working towards improving the diversity of our staff.  All applications will be considered only on merit and the applicant's suitability to meet the requirements of the role.

Due to the volume of applications, only those candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

HFW operates a Preferred Supplier List (PSL). Recruitment agencies should not submit CVs unless they are part of the PSL and have been engaged regarding this specific vacancy.

HFW collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants to manage its recruitment process.  The firm is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.  For information on how the firm will process your data, please see our Privacy Notice on our website, in the section "What we collect and how we use it".