Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION About Herbert Smith FreehillsAs one of the world’s leading law firms, we advise many of the largest and most ambitious organisations across all major regions of the globe. With over 5,000 people, including 3,100 lawyers and over 2,000 business services professionals, operating from our global network of offices across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice.We recognise that the success of our business and our clients relies on the skills, knowledge and ideas of all our people. Our environment is one in which high performance is expected, in return, we will provide you with rewards and opportunities tailored to your personal and professional goals. The OpportunityKey internal relationships:Director of New Business IntakeGeneral CounselHead of Financial Crime (Sydney)Head of Conflicts, Europe &USSector lead partners / Managing partners / regional Practice Group Heads Senior Business Services leaders Role Description and Key Responsibilities: The teamThe Global New Business Intake (NBI) team is responsible for the legal, regulatory, commercial, and reputational risk management of all new business globally. This includes the analysis and management of legal/commercial conflict issues, global AML/CTF regulation as well as international sanctions and reputational risk issues.The NBI team manages legal and commercial conflicts of interest, new client risk analysis and commercial alignment, matter risk assessments for anti-money laundering and counter terrorism compliance and international sanctions. The team also plays a key role in the development and delivery of strategic IT risk projects.NBI plays a key role in the development and shaping of the firm’s new business strategy globally by liaising with Sector Lead Partners, Regional/Global Heads of Practice and Business Development to ensure that any new instructions are a commercial fit for the firm. This includes the ability to engage in substantive discussion with senior stakeholders. As Director of Financial Crime, your role will include:Financial Crime TeamResponsible for the global Financial Crime Strategy and delivering this through effective leadership and management of the Financial Crime Team, including recruitment, onboarding, training and development, retention, and staff motivation.Responsible for the ongoing development and refinement of the relevant Financial Crime policies, resources, processes, and technology. Deliver the Australian AML (Anti Money Laundering) programme over the next 2 years in conjunction with the Head of Financial Crime (Sydney)Ensure compliance with the relevant legislative and regulatory framework for lawyers relating to the prevention of financial crime (primarily AML/counter terrorist financing/sanctions/anti bribery and corruption and prevention of tax evasion) to include:understanding the relevant legal regimes applicable in all the offices; development of policy, procedures, systems, and controls for all offices;advising partners and other stakeholders on their financial crime obligations;internal reporting to the relevant Money Laundering Compliance Officer and senior management;reporting to regulators; support to the firms MLROs in all offices.training strategy and implementation - working within the framework of other compliance-based training within the firm.Assessment of new business for reputational risk issues and advising stakeholders on the same.New Business Intake TeamDevelop a global NBI Strategy by working with the other NBI functions and the Director of New Business Intake, and ‘Head of’ roles in the global teamBuild the appropriate internal networks of trust and confidence to support the effective working of the NBI team across the Financial Crime, Conflicts and Matter Management teams.Participation in partner and business services forums and boards in relation to strategy, project implementation and firm operations.Qualifications, Skills and Experience:Educated to degree level and admitted to practise as a solicitor or barrister with at least 10 years PQE in financial crime compliance risk and law firm regulationThe ability to build internal networks quicklyDeployment of influencing skills with senior stakeholdersGood commercial awareness.Ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment and prioritise a busy workload.Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.Ability to work autonomously and as a part of a global team.Excellent verbal, written and face to face communication skills with a variety of staff including senior partners and legal PAs.Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. TeamGeneral Counsel and RiskWorking PatternFull timeLocationLondonContract typePermanent ContractDiversity & InclusionAt Herbert Smith Freehills you will be part of a diverse, innovative culture where high performance, client focus and highly engaged people are our differentiator. People at our firm come from a range of backgrounds and bring a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to their work with us. We strive to ensure that our inclusive environment means you feel valued and able to perform at your best by being your authentic self at work. We know that our future success not only depends on being innovative and progressive in the changing legal market but, most importantly, on our people feeling highly engaged in meaningful work.We understand that you have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to create a working environment based on mutual trust and respect, in which you can perform at your best whilst maintaining sustainable balance across your life.