Compliance Officer

The Firm

HFW is a sector focused global law firm with a focus on construction, shipping, aerospace, commodities, corporate & commercial and insurance.
We have over 600 lawyers working across Australia, Asia, Europe, Middle East and the Americas. With a progressive approach to our roles in commercial business, thinking creatively and pragmatically to support our clients, we are dynamic, entrepreneurial and leaders in our specialist areas.

In Australia, we have 3 offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and just over 200 team members.

The Team

The Risk & Compliance Business Acceptance team at HFW is a truly global team, led by the London-based Head of Business Acceptance. In Australia, the team comprises a Compliance Manager and a Risk & Compliance/Conflict Officer, both located in Melbourne. While the preferred location for this role is Melbourne, we are open to considering candidates based elsewhere in Australia.

The Role

In this role, you will provide practice support to our Australian and Asia Pacific offices on matters across our industries, the related know your client ("KYC") requirements for these, and on aspects of risk, regulatory compliance and conflicts more generally.

The role will include but will not be limited to:

• Matter Inception: assisting in on-boarding new clients and matters and ensuring that all details are correct in accordance with regulatory standards and firm policy.
• Anti-Money Laundering: conducting client due diligence, reviewing KYC documentation and undertaking AML and sanctions searches on clients as appropriate and escalating any issues to the MLRO.
• Terms of Engagement: assisting the firm in maintaining a uniform application of engagement terms as well as reviewing, advising on and recording client imposed terms.
• On-going monitoring and risk assessment: reviewing any changes to the client which may have an impact on client or matter risk and dealing with these in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Matter Maintenance: ensuring that matter information is kept accurate and up-to-date.
• Compliance reporting, assisting in the production of spreadsheets to monitor client and matter inception process status. Help run weekly/monthly reports.
• Confidentiality: assisting in setting up and amending information barriers and insider lists as required.
• Training: providing internal training to the team and wider firm in order to embed best practice.
• Projects: undertaking research and other projects as needed to improve matter inception, policy and process.
• Audit: assisting Risk Lawyers in preparation of annual internal file audits.
• Assisting other teams: Revenue & Collections, Marketing, and Conflicts as necessary.
• Responding to 
  ad hoc
   requests as directed by the business.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate excellent administrative skills, as well as the ability to develop strong working relationships with lawyers and business services staff across the firm. It will be essential to gain a rapid understanding of the firm's business in order to support the conflict decisions that need to be made as proactively as possible.

Ideally, you will bring with you:

• A minimum of 2 years' experience in a compliance function at a professional services (ideally, law) firm.
• Bachelor of Laws or equivalent degree, with some legal work experience preferred.
• AML experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a framework of regulatory compliance.
• The capability, after training if necessary, to identify conflicts and risk within a law firm.
• Resilience and the ability to develop and maintain strong internal and external relationships, while working both autonomously and as part of a global team.
• Excellent communication skills.
• The ability to work in an environment where quality output is paramount while dealing with tight deadlines.
• Analytical and organisational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Strong attention to detail and proven ability to handle confidential information in a professional and discreet manner.
• A high level of proficiency in MS Outlook, Word and Excel.

Please note that only candidates with full Australian work rights will be considered

What's in it for you?

If you're eager to join a friendly team in a positive environment, this opportunity could be ideal for you. As well as a friendly, down-to-earth group of colleagues, we offer the following benefits:

• Market-competitive remuneration package, employee referral incentives, and life and salary continuance insurance
• Health & Wellbeing initiatives, such as annual flu vaccinations, access to the Employee Assistance Program, free subscriptions to wellbeing apps, and subsidised sporting activities
• An active employee-led Social Committee, organising regular events in all our offices
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, allowing you to balance work and life commitments effectively
• The ability to purchase additional annual leave and access our Paid Parental Leave (26 weeks)
• Beautiful offices in the CBD with excellent end-of-trip facilities
• A welcoming, supportive, and collaborative work environment

What's next?

If this sounds like an opportunity for you, apply online with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining why you are interested in this role. We would love to hear from you

If you have any questions, please contact: Maarja Kamar, HR Consultant -