Head of Business Acceptance
Listed on 2026-01-14
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Law/Legal
Regulatory Compliance Specialist
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What We Will OfferIf you require this document in an accessible format (e.g. large print), please contact
We will offer you a place where you can be yourself and where there are no limits on what you can achieve. With us, you can take ownership of your career and have honest conversations throughout. You would join an ambitious firm with a clear strategy for profitable growth where you can get early responsibility and early involvement in growing the business.
Here you can expect a competitive and fair reward as well as recognition based on all round performance. This forms part of our internal promise to you, The Deal, between the firm and its employees.
In recent years we have substantially grown our business acceptance function with a view to better responding to both the Firm's needs and the applicable regulatory regimes. The Business Acceptance team, currently based in London, Singapore and Hong Kong (and soon to be in Dubai), is responsible for all business acceptance matters across our international network of offices. In particular, key responsibilities of the Business Acceptance team include the operation of new business intake systems and processes, including new client and matter opening, conflict checking, AML CDD, risk assessments, data collection and quality control, and monitoring of non‑standard engagement terms (the latter together with the Legal and Regulatory Risk team).
The Business Acceptance team also work closely with our client‑facing teams who are the principal point of contact with our clients on compliance and related matters.
The role of the Head of Business Acceptance is to lead and manage the Business Acceptance team and related functions in addition to playing a substantive role in leading and developing the Firm's compliance management processes, in conjunction with the Firm's leadership team as appropriate, as well as taking the lead on ad‑hoc compliance projects. The role is based in London (where the Firm is headquartered) but the remit is international with the Head of Business Acceptance having responsibility for business acceptance matters in all our offices.
The Head of Business acceptance will be expected to work closely with teams in all of the Firm's offices and travel to them as needed.
The Head of Business Acceptance will report to the Firm's General Counsel and will work closely with the Head of Legal & Regulatory Risk, the Firm's MLRO and MLCO as well as the COLP and COFA where needed.
The Head of Business Acceptance will be a member of the Firm's Risk Committee and will work closely with the risk partners in each practice group and office in addition to working with and advising partners, fee earners and other staff in respect of a range of compliance issues. The Head of Business Acceptance will also work closely with and support other Heads of Business Services on cross‑discipline projects.
MainResponsibilities
- Lead the Business Acceptance team (currently comprising an AML & Sanctions Manager, a Business Acceptance Manager, five Senior Compliance Officers and fifteen Compliance Officers) to ensure a high level of professional expertise and service is provided to all internal clients in all offices. Manage, mentor, support and develop team members.
- Act as a point of escalation on complex regulatory conflict of interest queries and assist the Firm's Conflicts Committee in resolving commercial conflict queries. Advise on the implementation of information barriers, including the creation of insider lists in accordance with Market Abuse Regulation guidelines.
- Deep knowledge and understanding of current AML related guidance, consultations and best practice, including that issued by the SRA, the Law Society, the Financial Action Task Force and updates in relevant jurisdictions.
- Work with subject matter specialists, the MLRO, and the MLCO in relation to (i) ongoing reviews of the Firm's AML policies, controls and procedures (including, but not limited to, annual reviews of the AML Policy and Practice Wide…
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