AML Manager

A prestigious international law firm is seeking an experienced Anti-Money Laundering Manager to join its London office and play a pivotal role in shaping the firm's approach to financial crime compliance. As a senior member of the Compliance team, you will be entrusted with leading the anti-money laundering and financial crime programme, ensuring that the organisation not only meets but exceeds its regulatory obligations.

What you'll do:

As an Anti-Money Laundering Manager based in London, you will take ownership of the end-to-end AML programme for a leading international law firm. Your day-to-day responsibilities will include overseeing client onboarding processes from initial due diligence through ongoing monitoring; acting as the go-to expert for complex queries; updating policies in line with regulatory shifts; mentoring a talented team of analysts; collaborating with colleagues globally; supporting audits; preparing compliance documentation; and driving process improvements. Success in this role requires you to balance technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills—ensuring that both operational excellence and stakeholder relationships are maintained at the highest level. You will have ample opportunity to shape policy direction while nurturing talent within your team.

• Oversee all aspects of anti-money laundering onboarding processes, including client due diligence, enhanced due diligence, and ongoing monitoring in strict accordance with applicable laws and internal policies.
• Ensure full compliance with relevant legislation, professional standards, and firm-wide policies by providing expert guidance on complex AML matters.
• Act as the escalation point for high-risk or intricate client due diligence queries, offering practical advice to lawyers and other professionals within the business.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on anti-money laundering and related financial crime requirements, delivering prompt assistance to colleagues across departments.
• Identify opportunities to enhance existing processes, systems, and controls in order to improve efficiency and strengthen risk management throughout the compliance function.
• Lead or contribute to the implementation of new technologies, workflows, and best practices that align with evolving regulatory expectations.
• Maintain up-to-date policies and procedures by proactively monitoring regulatory changes and internal developments, ensuring readiness for future challenges.
• Mentor, develop, and manage a team of AML Analysts by fostering a culture of accountability, quality assurance, and continuous improvement across all locations.
• Oversee quality assurance activities within the AML function by reviewing client due diligence reports, risk assessments, and screening outcomes for accuracy and completeness.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders across Compliance, New Business Intake, international offices, and other business services functions to ensure consistency in AML practices.

What you bring:

To excel as an Anti-Money Laundering Manager in this environment, you will bring substantial hands-on experience from previous roles where you managed AML operations or led teams responsible for financial crime prevention. Your background may include legal qualifications or equivalent expertise developed through years of dedicated service within professional services firms. You are known for your thoroughness when handling sensitive data; your ability to communicate complex concepts simply; your skill at building rapport with colleagues from diverse backgrounds; and your unwavering commitment to ethical conduct. Your leadership style is supportive yet focused on results—you nurture talent while holding yourself accountable for maintaining high standards. Adaptability is second nature: whether responding swiftly to regulatory updates or implementing new technologies that streamline compliance processes. Above all else, your passion for safeguarding organisational integrity sets you apart.

• A degree in law or a related discipline is desirable but not essential if you possess significant experience in anti-money laundering within professional services environments.
• Demonstrable experience managing, leading, and developing teams focused on AML or financial crime compliance—ideally gained within a law firm or similar setting.
• Exceptional analytical abilities combined with investigative skills that enable you to assess complex information accurately and efficiently.
• Meticulous attention to detail when reviewing documentation or conducting risk assessments ensures robust compliance outcomes.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills allow you to convey technical information clearly to diverse audiences across the business.
• Proven ability to build positive relationships with key stakeholders at all levels through empathy, collaboration, and effective interpersonal skills.
• Leadership qualities that inspire trust among team members while promoting accountability, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
• A proactive approach characterised by reliability, conscientiousness, responsiveness to emerging issues, and commitment to improvement initiatives.
• Excellent time management capabilities paired with strong organisational skills enable you to prioritise tasks effectively under pressure.
• A collaborative mindset that values teamwork over individual achievement—demonstrating flexibility when working across departments or international offices.

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