Compliance Manager

A leading law firm is seeking a Compliance Manager to oversee and guide their Compliance Team, based in Manchester or Bristol.

This pivotal position offers you the chance to shape compliance practices across the organisation, reporting directly to the Head of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Financial Crime. You will be at the heart of business acceptance and ongoing monitoring procedures, providing expert advice on AML, conflicts of interest, client due diligence, and financial crime matters.

• Take ownership of managing a dedicated compliance team within a respected law firm, ensuring best practice and continuous improvement are embedded in every process.
• Enjoy flexible working options and access to ongoing training initiatives designed to support your professional development and enhance your expertise in risk management.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders across the business, influencing policy decisions and contributing to firm-wide risk assessments that shape the future of compliance operations.

What you'll do:

As Compliance Manager you will play a central role in shaping how compliance is managed across the firm’s offices. Your day-to-day will involve overseeing a diverse team of professionals who rely on your guidance for handling complex regulatory queries. You’ll be responsible for refining operational workflows so that efficiency is maximised without compromising quality. By acting as a trusted advisor on matters ranging from anti-money laundering to conflicts of interest, you’ll help safeguard the firm’s reputation while supporting its commercial objectives.

• Supervise, mentor, and line manage the Can I Act Team including Team Leaders, Senior Compliance Analysts, Compliance Analysts, and Assistants with varying levels of experience within a time-sensitive environment.
• Document, develop, and improve team workflows while actively seeking feedback to drive continuous improvement across all compliance processes.
• Act as the primary escalation point for complex queries related to AML, conflicts of interest, source of funds/wealth, client due diligence, financial crime, and sanctions matters within both the team and wider business.
• Fulfil responsibilities relating to escalation procedures for conflicts of interest and AML/financial crime issues by balancing regulatory obligations with business needs.
• Delegate tasks proactively while monitoring work quality, resource allocation, and staff performance to ensure high standards are maintained throughout the team.
• Mentor and train team members by conducting supervision meetings and appraisals regularly; address staff-related issues such as performance management, sickness, or absence levels constructively.
• Support Team Leaders and Assistant Managers in their mentoring roles by supervising their approach to developing junior staff members.
• Provide guidance to fee earners on regulatory and compliance queries while helping mitigate identified risks across the firm.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders including partners, Risk Directors, and other teams to ensure legal and regulatory requirements are met consistently.
• Participate in compliance monitoring activities such as reviewing systems or suppliers of compliance technology; contribute to relevant risk projects or workstreams as needed.

What you bring:

• Demonstrated experience managing or supervising teams within a compliance or risk function in a professional services environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of anti-money laundering legislation, financial crime prevention measures, client due diligence processes, conflicts of interest protocols, and sanctions requirements.
• Proven ability to document processes effectively while identifying areas for workflow improvement through constructive feedback mechanisms.
• Excellent interpersonal skills enabling you to build strong relationships with colleagues at all levels—including partners—and foster an inclusive culture focused on shared success.
• Strong mentoring abilities with experience conducting supervision meetings or appraisals; adept at addressing staff performance issues sensitively.
• Ability to delegate tasks appropriately while maintaining oversight of work quality and resource allocation within a busy team setting.
• Experience providing practical advice on regulatory queries related to AML or financial crime matters; able to communicate complex information clearly.
• Track record of participating in compliance monitoring activities such as system reviews or supplier evaluations; comfortable supporting risk-related projects or workstreams.
• Skilled at developing comprehensive management reports for senior leadership teams; familiar with producing monthly management information for governance boards.
• Commitment to promoting best practice policies across multiple offices/functions while encouraging a positive risk culture throughout the organisation.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates