About Ashurst:

Ashurst is a leading global law firm with a history spanning almost 200 years, and clear strategy for our future growth. Our in-depth understanding of our clients and commitment to providing exceptional standards of service have seen us become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments in all areas of commercial law.

Our people are our greatest asset. We bring together lawyers of the highest calibre with the technical knowledge, industry experience and regional know-how to provide the incisive advice our clients need.  How we share our knowledge across our business, and with our clients, is critical in delivering value to our clients.

We currently have 25 offices in 15 countries and a number of referral relationships that enable us to offer the reach and insight of a global network, combined with the knowledge and understanding of local markets. With 420 partners and a further 1,450 lawyers working across 10 different time zones, we are able to respond to our clients wherever and whenever they need us.

Our clients value us for being approachable, astute and commercially minded. As a global team we have a reputation for successfully managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes and projects, and delivering outstanding outcomes for clients in innovative ways.

Ashurst regards an inclusive and diverse environment as critical to its business success.  Accordingly, the firm encourages applications from candidates representative of all talent pools.  Find about more about our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy on the "About Us" section of our website.

In order to comply with regulatory and client requirements, Ashurst will undertake appropriate vetting of staff. When applicants accept a job offer, Ashurst, alongside a specialist provider, will undertake professional verification and background checks.  These checks are only undertaken with consent, and in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations

Title:

Client Audits Project Manager, Client Commitments, Risk & Compliance

Reporting to:

Manager, Client Commitments

Location:

Based at Ashurst’s Glasgow office with travel to other offices as required.

Hours:

Required to work such hours as are necessary to carry out your duties including out of core business hours of 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.

Overview:

This role involves working closely with a number of functions across the firm on all clients audits and remediation exercises globally as well as strategic projects relevant to the Risk & Compliance function to ensure the risk management considerations necessary to the successful delivery of projects and strategic initiatives are captured in the design and implementation as well as broader management of the implementation of clients commitments across the firm. The role is key to help drive the strategy and delivery of global services in line with the business plan of the Firm. The position is by its nature a global role involving all core projects; it will also involve working to local regulatory requirements as required.

The Risk & Compliance function is commercially minded and focuses on adding value to the business as well as the clients, as illustrated by the digital product and advisory offerings designed and maintained by the function to benefit our clients.

• The successful candidate will support the Client Commitment Manager in identifying and implementing strategic initiatives and any risk management related tasks.
• The successful candidate will play an active part in the delivery of strategic advisory or operational changes.
• The successful candidate will be pivotal in managing the implementation of clients commitments across our business.
• The successful candidate will be expected to ensure the suitability of solutions to the business and our clients. The successful candidate will also be tasked to further develop relationships with our key stakeholders on a continuous basis.

Main responsibilities:

Business as Usual:

• In respect of clients audit and remediation actions, lead point of contact:
• for the implementation of clients commitments across our business thereafter;
• to ensure that the clients terms discussions and negotiations have taken place and are adequately captured within the firm's systems and processes.
• Advise the partnership on whether any relevant project feasibility study is right and fit for purpose for the legal business and ensure that the project fits within the Firm's commercial strategy.
• Advise the partnership on any relevant risk and compliance issues associated with their practice.
• Liaise with other functions as required to ensure business readiness for any technology roll outs and compliance changes to processes and practices, including compliance to clients commitments and consistency of approach with clients audits responses and remediation.
• Identify gaps and develop processes and solutions to meet regulatory requirements globally to ensure minimal impact to the business end-user experience.
• Attend and conduct meetings with partners and/or clients.

Strategic Project:

• Assist in the establishment of best practices, governance and standards with respect to the client audit process and complying with agreed client commitments.
• Work collaboratively across legal and business services team to improve the procedure, efficiency and communication with respect to the client audit process.
• Assist with transformational projects involving the Risk & Compliance function as required (e.g. roll-out of new systems, updates on case law and regulations in all Ashurst's jurisdictions, updates on business intelligence, etc.).
• Work collaboratively across legal and business services teams to improve service, commercial impact and efficiency of teams, particularly in relation to overlapping areas/ responsibilities.
• Report on the work undertaken with ensuring the issues affecting the Firm's global strategy are communicated in a clear, transparent and effective manner at the right time.
• Reporting periodically to Director of Risk and Compliance and others (when required) on various risk and compliance issues affecting core projects' risk exposure.
• Assist in the establishment of best practices, governance and standards that can be leveraged globally and meet regulatory expectations in relation to risk management.
• Assist in the periodic review and improvements of processes to support any changes with relevant legislation, regulation or best practice.
• Ensure at all time that any business intelligence gained through the work is shared with, as relevant and necessary, the Practice Group or Division Heads.

Continuous Improvement:

• Assist with the establishment and implementation of standards across the various client commitments made across our business.
• Seek opportunities for regular and consistent engagement both within the Risk & Compliance function and the wider business.
• Work to identify improvement opportunities aligned to the business strategy.
• Assist in 'lessons learned' post project implementation to ensure any risk issues/trends discovered or tackled are understood and factored in future project considerations.
• Liaise with partners and lawyers to assist with the development of internal processes to enable compliance with regulations and develop commercial policy, as required. 

Essential skills and experience:

• Highly organised and confident individual with strong people skills, able to liaise effectively at all levels across the firm and offices.
• A tenacious individual with the drive and ability to see a project through to completion.
• Expertise in a wide range of risk management issues faced by global international law firms, including conflicts and ethical issues, as well as broader sanctions, anti-money laundering, and extensive experience in dealing with commercial issues pertaining to risk management.
• Expert understanding on the partnership model and the challenges faced by today's legal industry.
• Track record of strategic and/or tactical decision making and negotiation; ability to put an argument across in a clear, articulate way showing sound business acumen to the partnership, senior management or clients of the firm.
• Discrete and professional in handling sensitive, confidential situations and deals.
• Experienced in dealing with various legal practices regulators in various jurisdictions.
• Commitment to supporting the team as a global function and ability to strengthen those connections globally.
• Strong research skills, attention to detail and able to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work efficiently, prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Flexible and able to adapt to new situations, processes and technology.

Education and requirements

• Legal qualification with strong relevant experience in conflicts, compliance and risk management at like-minded firms.
• Project management and/or information security experience in the legal sector.
• Knowledge of the OFR, in particular the chapters within the SRA Code of Conduct and the SRA Authorisation rules (as well as other jurisdictions professional Codes of Conduct), as well as AML legislation and Sanctions worldwide.
• Experience in assessing and dealing with commercial conflicts with reference to the commercial strategy of a like-minded Firm.
• Working knowledge and ability to use compliance databases.