Head of Onboarding - Leeds, United Kingdom - Addleshaw Goddard

Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard
Verified Company
Leeds, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Tom O´Connor

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Tom O´Connor

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Description

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Due to the continued success and international growth of the Firm, we are looking for a senior professional to lead our Onboarding team.

This senior role offers the challenge of leading and overseeing all aspects of client and matter onboarding in the Firm, escalation of conflicts issues and compliance with anti-money laundering legislation and sanctions.

The role will also include responsibility for critically assessing and continually evolving and improving the Firm's systems to optimise the efficiency of the work of the Onboarding Team.


THE TEAM


The Firm's Onboarding Team comprises more than 45 team members with responsibility for conflict checking and resolving conflicts issues, client and matter onboarding, escalation of anti-money laundering risks, sanctions checking and compliance.

The Onboarding Team is primarily based in the UK, with some members of that team based outside of the UK, but it supports the Firm globally.


The Onboarding Team carries out:

1 all aspects of conflict checking and conflict escalation, including analysis of conflict and confidential information issues in accordance with the SRA's Code of Conduct and escalations to the Firm's Conflicts Partner and


2 undertakes client and matter onboarding, client due diligence (CDD) and anti-money laundering checks, associated risk assessments, sanctions checks and assessing potential reputational risk issues.

This includes supporting the Firm's Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) with the submission of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs).

What to expect in this role


Collaborating with the Firm's General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel, alongside the Firm's MLROs, you will spearhead the work of the team that handles firmwide client and matter on-boarding.


As part of an ambitious, growing, and global law firm, the role has a significant international dimension, requiring understanding of, and strong relationship building with, Partners and stakeholders outside of the UK.

Domestic and occasional international travel will be part of this role.

The role includes the following elements and/or requires the following attributes (this is not an exhaustive list):


Leadership:


As the visionary leader, you will not only set the team's strategic direction but also foster a culture of service excellence, quality work and robust risk management in all aspects of new client and matter intake.

Your relationship building skills and business acumen will be critical to your success.

Your will have direct line management of the teams responsible for Conflicts and Financial Crime, overseeing all HR and performance related matters in a large, diverse team spread across multiple locations.

You will play a pivotal role in the career development of members of the Onboarding Team, providing constructive feedback and setting clear objectives
Advising the Firm or Partners on complex business intake issues relating to conflicts or financial crime/sanctions. This will often involve direct conversations with Partners, acting as an escalation point for issues arising in the work of the team
Leading projects relating to systems and process enhancements. You will champion continuous improvement, driving increased efficiency, consistency and quality enhancements within the Onboarding Team
A deep understanding of the global regulatory frameworks within which the Firm operates is essential, ensuring that that the Firm's policies and approach to new client and matter onboarding align with those frameworks
With your gravitas and impact, you will be confident taking ownership of challenging or unfamiliar issues. Your contribution to (and leadership of) training to Partners and fee earners across the Firm will be invaluable


Compliance:

Contributing to the Firm's compliance strategy, structure and processes, ensuring that compliance systems, processes and frameworks are robust yet practical
Assisting the GC/COLP in handling issues arising from the Firm's compliance with its regulatory obligations
Liaising closely with the Firm's Finance team with regard to international billing and Solicitors' Client Account Rules compliance


Risk Management:

You will play a key role in cultivating a strong risk management culture within the Firm
Your contribution to compliance activities will be crucial, involving the assessment and refinement of current controls to ensure regulatory objectives are met
Aligning the Onboarding team with the Firm's strategic goals, and your role as a mentor will be pivotal in fostering the professional development of members of your team
Your commitment to excellence with drive enhancements in systems, service and processes across the operations of the Onboarding Team
Building collaborative and effective relationships with stakeholders across various business services teams will be an integral part of your role

your areas of knowledge and expertise

You will have significant experience gained working at a major UK or
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