AML Compliance Specialist

At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world-class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.

The AML Compliance Specialist will be the subject matter expert for the London AML team, providing the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) service to In-Market London-based personnel, including Partners and office staff. The role-holder will identify and analyze each request with a high degree of technical expertise, providing quality output and leading training and knowledge-sharing initiatives within the team, as well as collaborating with the New Business Intake Global AML team. They will conduct quality reviews on behalf of team members to identify training needs and areas of improvement. The individual will assist with the team's performance by identifying training areas, learning, and professional development. They will deal with escalated matters, which are complex.

Main responsibilities:

• Act as a Subject Matter Expert and provide technical guidance to the team and management in responding to more complex technical scenarios beyond standard processes
• Collaborate and work closely with the AML Deputy Manager, Manager, and Global NBI Team Leads and Specialists to expand and improve service offerings; often consulted by Global NBI teams for their expertise
• Liaise with and support AML Managers, internal stakeholders, and Global NBI team members
• Develop and maintain training and upskilling documentation to ensure that it reflects standard team processes
• Deliver training and provide technical coaching to team members
• Lead process improvement initiatives and pilot testing teams to troubleshoot and resolve issues related to technical upgrades and new policies or procedures
• Perform quality reviews, identify potential opportunities, and provide coaching and feedback to team members
• Diligently review new client and new matter information submitted via the Firm’s intake system, analyzing the information and providing knowledge and experience on the subject matter
• Perform detailed due diligence and conduct an online investigation of prospective clients using online business intelligence databases (D&B, Hoovers), Government Watch Lists (World-Check), and public domain searches (Google, etc.) to facilitate the identification of high-risk and negative findings, which must be escalated for review
• Make sound and educated decisions regarding the existence and validity of possible issues or areas of interest, ensuring escalations are reviewed accurately and reported to the Manager,
• Head of Risk and Compliance and other relevant departments
• Work with London General Counsel, Global NBI and Risk Management, the Director of PRPC (Office of General Counsel), and other Firm stakeholders as required to meet and exceed business needs and expectations

Skills and experience:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in a related discipline
• Previous relevant technical experience in a legal or professional services environment
• Exceptional problem-solving, critical-thinking, and analytical skills
• Excellent time management, organizational, and administrative skills
• Proven ability to multitask and work well under pressure, prioritize workloads, and meet tight deadlines
• Highly self-motivated and proactive approach
• Able to coach and train others to a high standard
• Able to work well with others and to build strong relationships with multiple stakeholders quickly via telephone and videoconference
• An outstanding and confident communicator who can deal confidently, tactfully, and appropriately with people at all levels of the organization
• Highly credible and persuasive
• Comfortable working within a large and complex, matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders and interest group
• A self-starter who can get things done without the need for detailed direction
• Must be able to think strategically, but also willing and able to roll his/her sleeves up and do whatever is needed to achieve key business objectives, diving into detail where necessary
• Total commitment to excellence and the provision of first-class support. Willing to go the extra mile to provide outstanding client/stakeholder service

Working at Baker McKenzie Belfast Center:

Baker McKenzie is the world’s leading law firm with offices all over the world. Our Belfast Center is home to over 400 colleagues in both legal and professional services.

We offer one of the best workplace benefits packages in the business with comprehensive private health cover, income protection, life assurance and a full employee assistance plan. These and a host of other benefits make us one of the most desirable companies to work for in Belfast.

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief, if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.