Compliance Manager – Law Firm

CONFIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITY

Group Compliance Manager

Legal Services | Multi-Firm Group | National Operations

The Opportunity

We are working on a confidential basis with an established legal services group to appoint an experienced Group Compliance Manager to lead and oversee regulatory compliance, risk management, data protection and governance across its legal operations.

This is a key appointment, offering the opportunity to work closely with Directors, senior leadership and operational teams across a multi-firm group, ensuring the highest standards of regulatory compliance, risk management and professional practice are maintained as the business continues to develop and explore further growth opportunities.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the group's compliance framework, providing strategic guidance alongside practical, hands-on support to ensure regulatory obligations are embedded effectively throughout the business.

About the Organisation

Our client is an established legal services group comprising two award-winning law firms operating in specialist areas of the legal market, supported by a central services company.

The group has a strong reputation for service delivery, technical expertise and client care, with a national presence across its respective markets.

Its businesses include a specialist equity release law firm providing independent legal advice to homeowners considering releasing equity from their property, and a residential conveyancing practice with a strong presence in London and the South of England.

With continued opportunities for development and growth, the group is seeking a compliance professional who can help maintain robust governance, support its leadership teams and ensure its regulatory frameworks remain fit for purpose.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership, the Group Compliance Manager will be responsible for the effective management and continuous improvement of compliance, risk and governance arrangements across the group.

Acting as the central point of expertise, you will advise Directors, senior stakeholders and transactional teams on regulatory requirements, emerging risks and best practice. You will also ensure that appropriate policies, procedures, controls, monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place across the businesses.

The role offers a broad remit, combining regulatory oversight with operational delivery, stakeholder engagement and the development of a strong, consistent compliance culture.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance and SRA Liaison

• Oversee compliance with SRA Standards and Regulations and other applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

   

• Monitor regulatory developments, assess their impact and implement appropriate changes to policies, procedures and operational practices.

   

• Maintain effective compliance monitoring, reporting and escalation processes.

   

Anti-Money Laundering, Risk and MLRO Responsibilities

• Oversee AML policies, procedures and controls, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory expectations.

   

• Undertake or support Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) responsibilities, as appropriate to the firm's arrangements.

   

• Maintain risk assessments, review controls and ensure appropriate escalation and management of compliance concerns.

   

File Reviews and Quality Assurance

• Manage file review programmes and quality assurance processes to assess compliance with regulatory, procedural and client care requirements.

   

• Identify trends, recurring issues and areas for improvement, implementing appropriate remedial actions.

   

• Support the maintenance of relevant quality standards, including the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), where applicable.

   

Data Protection and Information Governance

• Oversee compliance with UK GDPR, data protection legislation and information governance requirements.

   

• Maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls relating to data handling, information security and confidentiality.

   

• Support the management of data breaches, subject access requests and other data protection matters.

   

Corporate Governance and Companies House

• Oversee relevant Companies House obligations, statutory filings and corporate governance processes.

   

• Maintain appropriate governance records, controls and reporting arrangements across the group.

   

Lender Panel Management

• Support the maintenance of lender panel memberships and ensure ongoing compliance with lender requirements.

   

• Monitor panel conditions, manage relevant submissions and coordinate responses to lender queries or compliance reviews.

   

Policies, ESG and Internal Governance

• Develop, review and maintain group policies, procedures and internal governance frameworks.

   

• Support appropriate ESG-related policies and reporting obligations.

   

• Promote consistency of standards and effective risk management across the businesses.

   

Training and Stakeholder Support

• Deliver compliance training and guidance to colleagues at all levels.

   

• Provide practical, commercially aware advice to senior leaders and operational teams.

   

• Build strong working relationships to ensure compliance is understood and embedded in day-to-day activities.

   

Insurance and Risk Transfer

• Coordinate insurance renewals with brokers and relevant stakeholders, including Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Employers' Liability, Office and Cyber insurance.

   

• Support the assessment and management of business risks and appropriate insurance arrangements.

   

Complaints Handling and Resolution

• Oversee complaint handling processes, ensuring matters are managed appropriately, consistently and within applicable timescales.

   

• Identify trends and use complaints analysis to inform service improvements and reduce recurring risks.

   

About You

You will be an experienced compliance, risk or regulatory professional with a strong understanding of the legal services environment and the ability to combine technical expertise with practical business support.

You will be confident advising senior stakeholders, managing sensitive matters and translating regulatory requirements into clear, workable processes. Equally comfortable working independently and collaborating across teams, you will bring a proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach.

Essential experience and knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of SRA Standards and Regulations, AML legislation, UK GDPR and relevant data protection requirements.

   

• Previous experience in a legal compliance, risk, regulatory or MLRO-related role, gained within an SRA-regulated law firm or a wider FCA-regulated organisation.

   

• Experience interpreting regulatory updates and implementing appropriate operational changes.

   

• A sound understanding of risk management frameworks, compliance monitoring and internal controls.

   

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to advise, influence and deliver training at all levels.

   

• Strong organisational skills, analytical capability and attention to detail.

   

• The ability to manage multiple priorities and concurrent workstreams effectively.

   

• Experience liaising with insurance brokers and coordinating insurance renewals across a range of business policies.

   

Desirable experience:

• Experience supporting multi-office or multi-entity operations.

   

• Familiarity with lender panel requirements and conveyancing compliance.

   

• Experience using identity verification and due diligence systems, such as Experian, Creditsafe, Thirdfort or TrustID.

   

• Familiarity with Companies House systems, statutory filings and corporate governance requirements.

   

• Experience implementing and improving risk management processes aligned with relevant regulatory and government frameworks.

   

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• Proactive and solutions-focused, with the confidence to take ownership and work autonomously.

   

• Calm, considered and professional when managing sensitive, complex or time-critical issues.

   

• Collaborative and approachable, with the ability to build trusted relationships across different functions.

   

• Commercially aware, balancing effective risk management with practical business needs.

   

• Committed to continuous improvement, professional integrity and consistently high standards.

   

Working Arrangements

• Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

   

• Core working hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, including a one-hour lunch break.

   

• Working model: Hybrid working available following successful completion of probation.

   

Benefits Package

The organisation offers a comprehensive and flexible benefits package, including:

• 24 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays.

   

• An additional day off for your birthday.

   

• Enhanced annual leave for long service, including a one-month fully paid sabbatical.

   

• Flexible working options, including a nine-day fortnight or half-day Friday scheme.

   

• A flexible holiday scheme.

   

• Life assurance and a healthcare cash plan.

   

• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.

   

• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing initiatives.

   

• Two paid charity volunteering days per year.

   

• Study support programme.

   

• Discretionary annual bonus.

   

• Monthly employee recognition awards.

   

• Discounted corporate gym membership.

   

• Cycle-to-work and car leasing schemes.

   

• Discounted shopping and restaurant offers.

   

• Free monthly breakfasts and lunches.

   

• Regular team-building activities and social events.

   

Confidential Enquiries

This opportunity is being handled on a confidential basis. Further information about the organisation and recruitment process will be shared with suitable candidates at the appropriate stage.

If you have the relevant compliance, risk or regulatory experience and are interested in a broad, influential role within an established and growing legal services group, we would welcome a confidential discussion.