Senior Compliance Analyst

We are currently partnered with a leading law firm in London who is seeking a Senior Compliance Analyst to join their highly skilled and knowledgeable Legal and Business Services team.

As a Senior Compliance Analyst you will play a pivotal role in supporting the legal services team by executing day-to-day anti-money laundering functions alongside broader compliance projects. Your responsibilities will span client verification processes, drafting analytical reports for stakeholders, managing high-risk monitoring workflows, reviewing junior colleague's outputs on AML matters, handling monthly reporting duties for compliance officers, identifying operational issues impacting matter openings, maintaining regulatory records meticulously, conducting sanctions research diligently, assisting with audit preparations and system reviews across multiple offices including Europe, preparing statistics for annual risk assessments, facilitating conflicts clearance reviews for lateral hires and external appointments, delivering compliance inductions and ad-hoc training sessions across the London office at various levels of seniority, responding to audit letters efficiently while supporting fee earners with engagement templates and precedents. You will also keep abreast of SRA principles and regulations while assisting senior compliance leaders on project work. Administrative collaboration with team secretaries will be essential as you participate actively in recruitment processes for junior analyst roles. Success in this position requires attention to detail, excellent organisational skills, effective communication abilities with personnel at all levels of the business – all within a nurturing environment that values teamwork.

• Conduct thorough client and matter verification's by investigating company ownership structures and performing risk assessments while liaising with partners, fee earners, and relevant officers as needed.
• Draft well-organised written analysis for fee earners and compliance officers, ensuring clarity and accuracy in all communications.
• Manage high-risk ongoing monitoring processes by creating and assessing alerts when required, maintaining consistency with firm policies and procedures.
• Assist the Compliance Manager in overseeing AML verifications and workflow completion within expected turnaround times, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.
• Review junior team member's work product on AML issues arising during client verification processes and provide guidance to resolve queries efficiently.
• Manage monthly reporting activities for compliance officers, ensuring timely submission of accurate data related to anti-money laundering matters.
• Identify and address any issues affecting the matter opening process promptly to maintain operational efficiency.
• Maintain records of AML/terrorist financing policies and procedures in line with current regulations, updating documentation as industry changes occur.
• Conduct sanctions research regularly and ensure the sanctions database is up-to-date while communicating effectively with matter teams and Accounts regarding engagement records.
• Assist with independent audits, SRA audit preparation, ongoing review of automated AML systems, European office processes, annual risk assessment statistics, conflicts clearance reviews, external appointment reviews for lateral hires, compliance inductions for new joiners, ad-hoc training sessions for staff at all levels, audit letter responses, project work support for senior compliance leaders, administrative liaison tasks with team secretaries, and participation in recruitment processes for junior analysts.

What you bring:

The ideal candidate for the Senior Compliance Analyst position will bring proven expertise in anti-money laundering practices gained from working within compliance or legal conflicts management teams. Your familiarity with SRA Rules alongside knowledge of relevant legislation ensures you can navigate complex regulatory environments confidently. Proficiency in IT tools such as Microsoft Office supports your ability to handle detailed reporting requirements accurately. Experience collaborating across different levels of personnel demonstrates your interpersonal strengths while previous exposure to law firm operations equips you with sector-specific insights. While academic qualifications are appreciated they are not essential; practical experience remains paramount. Your capacity to mentor junior colleagues reflects your commitment to communal growth leadership while your communication skills foster trust among stakeholders. Organisational prowess enables you to manage competing priorities calmly even under pressure. A self-motivated attitude paired with enthusiasm makes you an invaluable member of the team – always ready to support others while contributing positively towards shared goals.

• A strong background in anti-money laundering practices demonstrated through previous experience within a compliance or legal conflicts management team is essential for this role.
• Solid knowledge of SRA Rules as well as anti-money laundering and sanctions legislation is required to ensure regulatory adherence across all activities.
• Excellent IT literacy including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications is necessary to manage reporting tasks efficiently.
• Experience working collaboratively with personnel at various levels within an organisation is vital for delivering agreed outcomes consistently.
• Previous experience within a law firm environment is essential to understand sector-specific requirements and best practices.
• Degree or equivalent relevant qualifications are desirable but not mandatory; practical experience will be highly valued.
• Strong mentoring skills enabling you to train junior team members effectively while fostering their professional development.
• Outstanding communication skills coupled with stakeholder management capabilities are crucial for building trust across teams.
• Exceptional organisational abilities allowing you to prioritise tasks efficiently under pressure without compromising quality or deadlines.
• A self-motivated approach combined with enthusiasm as a dependable team player who brings positivity into every interaction.

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