Head of Financial Crime

12h12 hours ago

Herbert Smith Freehills

London, GB · Full-time · £180,000 – £250,000

About this role

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals. Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core, and we invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding.

This role requires strong leadership, stakeholder management, change management, and subject matter expertise in financial crime. You will take accountability of a department dealing with Financial Crime matters including Policy, Advisory, Governance, Oversight, Risk Assessments, Risk Management, Training, Communications, Operations, Quality Assurance and Remediation.

As the primary liaison with regulatory and industry bodies, you will provide strategic leadership in developing, implementing, maintaining and embedding a robust AML/CTF program. You will ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations across the firm’s offices in the EMEA and US regions, with continuous improvements in risk management frameworks.

You will lead the UK, US and EMEA Financial Crime team and ensure global opportunities are optimised through consistency with the global program. The role provides oversight of AML/CTF and Sanctions risk management, ensuring compliance across multiple jurisdictions and driving strong governance.

Requirements

Proven leadership experience in financial crime compliance within a global professional services or law firm environment
Deep subject matter expertise in AML/CTF and Sanctions regulations across the UK, US and EMEA jurisdictions
Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leadership and external regulators
Experience in change management and implementing robust risk management frameworks
Expertise in developing and embedding financial crime policies, training programs and quality assurance processes
Demonstrated ability to manage and lead a multi-jurisdictional team, driving consistency and global alignment
In-depth knowledge of regulatory expectations and industry best practices in financial crime prevention

Responsibilities

Take accountability of a department dealing with Financial Crime matters including Policy, Advisory, Governance, Oversight, Risk Assessments, Risk Management, Training, Communications, Operations, Quality Assurance and Remediation
Provide strategic leadership in developing, implementing, maintaining and embedding a robust AML/CTF program across the firm's offices in the EMEA and US regions
Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory and industry bodies on financial crime matters
Oversee AML/CTF and Sanctions risk management, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations in relevant UK, US and EMEA jurisdictions
Drive continuous improvements in risk management frameworks and processes through training, governance and oversight
Lead, manage and develop the UK, US and EMEA Financial Crime team, optimising global opportunities and consistency with the global program
Ensure proper reporting and governance structures are in place to demonstrate compliance with all applicable laws and regulations

Benefits

Opportunity to work with a world-leading global law firm with a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific footprint
Be part of a firm that invests in the growth of its people and supports continuous professional development
Engage with complex, high-stakes financial crime matters across major financial centres and growth hubs