Job description

We are currently recruiting for a Conflicts Analyst to join our Business Acceptance Unit in the London office on a 12 month contract.  For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to work in a friendly team where they will be able to develop their conflicts skills whilst receiving the professional support and accompanying benefits that can be expected from a prestigious magic circle law firm. Regularly voted in the top employer lists, A&O Shearman fosters a collaborative work environment, is a leader in ESG, is regularly praised for its commitment to its pro-bono work and its commitment to social mobility as well as its support for its LGBTQ+ colleagues. With a reputation of being a fantastic employer, A&O Shearman offers extensive benefits to support wellbeing and training and development.

Our Business Acceptance Unit provides a cutting edge service to support the Firm in performing checks against all incoming business and the team prides itself on providing a second-to-none service in the areas of conflict and new client on-boarding checks. The team is growing exponentially – this is largely driven by the Firm’s continued expansion in the US market and the A&O Shearman merger which has been much reported in the press recently - and with this comes opportunity for growth. 

Role and responsibilities

• Taking responsibility for conflict searches and individual matter inception requests submitted via the business acceptance system and then monitoring the progress of such requests to conclusion (using workflow technology).
• Analysing the information submitted by fee-earners in conflict searches and matter inception and new client requests.
• Applying relevant laws, professional rules, regulations and A&O Shearman compliance policy to conflict searches and matter inception and new client requests covering varied and wide-ranging work types.
• Performing relevant databases searches to satisfy A&O Shearman's regulatory requirements (e.g. in relation to sanctions, conflicts of interest and anti-money laundering).
• Liaising with partners and other relevant fee-earners and with support departments such as Finance and Business Development at appropriate stages of the business acceptance process.
• Applying judgement and decision-making in relation to individual conflict searches and matter inception requests (including supporting and facilitating A&O Shearman’s processes by which commercial and strategic decisions are made about what new business to accept) and spotting and, if needed, then referring any issues 'up chain'.
• Helping to develop internal databases of information for use in conducting regulatory checks and searches during business acceptance process.
• Providing reports and updates of items on work list as required.
• Assisting in monitoring service levels of unit (e.g. speed of responses and quality of decision making).
• Undertaking administrative duties including record maintenance as required.
• Being flexible in undertaking the above responsibilities and any others so required.

Key requirements

• Strong analytical skills are essential.
• Experience of working in a law firm, risk and compliance or a financial services environment is preferred.
• Attention to detail, ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting deadlines at speed.
• Flexibility regarding working hours may be an advantage.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing an onsite gym, wellbeing centre and GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, season ticket loans and online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embraces hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do however remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Additional information - External

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.