Head of KYC / AML

Role: Head of KYC/AML

Reporting line: Chief Risk & Compliance Officer

Requirements & Personal Attributes: 

• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of regulatory, compliance and risk matters arising in a law firm or professional services firm.
• Excellent knowledge of anti-money laundering (“AML”), combatting the financing of terrorism (“CFT”), proliferation financing (“PF”), know your client (“KYC”) and sanctions compliance regulations.
• Experienced in managing regulatory audits. 
• Highly experienced in providing sanctions compliance advice and guidance to management.
• Unwavering adherence to high ethical standards and uncompromising integrity in all interactions. 
• Ability to effectively collaborate with various departments to facilitate comprehensive adherence to AML regulations across the firm.
• Exhibits the ability to make well-informed decisions in high pressure situations. 
• High level of accuracy in reviewing and reporting on matters relevant to the role.
• Proficient and experienced in preparing detailed and accurate reports on AML/CFT/KYC and sanctions activities and presenting them to management. 
• Familiarity with AML software and tools used for monitoring and reporting suspicious activities. 
• Proactively stay updated on regulations and regulatory changes as well as industry best practice with focus on AML and sanctions compliance risks.
• Native English speaker with excellent verbal and written communication skills. 

Primary Job Purpose: 

Tasked with ensuring the firm’s compliance with laws and regulations through the development and implementation of AML and CFT and sanctions policies, conducting business risk assessments, providing staff training, and managing suspicious activity reports. This role is pivotal in upholding the firm’s integrity by proactively preventing illicit activities.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Implementing and overseeing the firm’s AML policies, procedures, systems, and controls, including the operation of the firm’s risk-based approach. 
• Ensuring day-to-day compliance with the rules and other relevant AML legislation applicable in all jurisdictions where ATCO operates. 
• Ensuring the effectiveness of sanctions controls and with a regular approach to testing the effectiveness.
• Ensuring the identification of key regulatory changes and notification to/education of relevant departments and areas to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Responsible for the preparation and submission of all regulatory annual returns.
• Responsible for the management of regulatory audits in all jurisdictions where ATCO operates. 
• Acting as point of escalation for the team on high-risk clients/matters.
• Managing the day-today operations of the team including their training and development programmes.
• Making Suspicious Activity Reports in accordance with Federal AML legislation in all jurisdictions where ATCO operates.
• Responding promptly to any request for information made by competent authorities in all jurisdictions where ATCO operates.
• Receiving and acting upon any relevant findings, recommendations, guidance, directives, resolutions, sanctions, notices or other conclusions.
• Developing and delivering appropriate AML. CTF and sanctions compliance training including employee induction, refresher training, specialist and department focused training.
• Acting as the point of contact within the firm for competent authorities regarding money laundering issues.
• Reporting semi-annually to ExCo on various matters including the results of the AML, CFT, and sanctions review, the firm’s compliance with Federal AML legislation and the regulations and rules of the Regulator, internal notifications of suspicious activity, Suspicious Activity/Transaction Reports, and other relevant matters related to AML/CFT/KYC and sanctions. 
• Responsible for updating all Business Risk Assessments in all jurisdictions where ATCO operates.
• Responsible for the enhancement of AML systems and controls.
• Reviewing and advising on areas of regulatory change and applicable best practice in the region and update the relevant policies and procedures accordingly. 
• Supporting and coordinating senior management focus on managing the firm’s AML and CFT risks in individual business areas.
• Handling other ad-hoc compliance-related projects that may be assigned from time to time. 
• Promoting a compliance culture across the firm consistent with the firm’s strategic objectives, vision, values and Risk Appetite.

Relationships: 

• Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
• Chief Finance Officer
• Executive Committee
• Risk and Compliance Committee
• Quality Control Working Group
• Data Protection Working Group
• Sanctions Working Group
• Compliance Team
• Management 
• Heads of Department / Partners
• Lawyers
• Secretaries

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

• Essential to our success as a global law firm is our ability to attract and retain the best talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are committed to a work environment where everyone can reach their potential and we have an inclusive culture which respects individual differences.
• We undertake and support a number of internal and external initiatives aimed at increasing diversity within the profession and we encourage all our partners and staff to get involved.
• Al Tamimi & Company is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities and support those in the workplace who have a disability.