Financial Crime Advisor

Our team

The Eversheds Sutherland Governance and Compliance team’s remit is truly international. Based in the UK, we support the business and our colleagues across the UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa in meeting their legal and regulatory obligations. We also collaborate closely with Eversheds Sutherland US.

About the role

We are seeking an ambitious and commercially minded Financial Crime Advisor to join our Governance & Compliance team in Leeds.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the development and operation of the firm's global financial crime compliance framework, working across multiple jurisdictions and supporting colleagues throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, whilst collaborating closely with our US business.

As part of a high-performing and supportive team, you will help ensure the firm meets its legal, regulatory and ethical obligations by providing practical advice and guidance on a broad range of financial crime matters, including sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, fraud prevention, prevention of tax evasion, market abuse and anti-money laundering.

The role offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders and strategic projects, making it an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their career within a global professional services environment.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Monitor legal, regulatory and industry developments relating to financial crime risks and advise the business on their implications.
• Support the design, implementation and continuous enhancement of the firm's global financial crime compliance programmes.
• Draft, review and maintain policies, standards, procedures and guidance relating to financial crime compliance.
• Provide clear, practical and risk-based advice to partners, lawyers and business services teams on financial crime matters.
• Act as an escalation point for complex financial crime queries, including sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, fraud and other compliance risks.
• Support risk assessments and due diligence relating to clients, suppliers, business relationships and strategic initiatives.
• Assist with the review and assessment of higher-risk matters and emerging financial crime risks.
• Review client engagement terms, supplier agreements and other contractual documentation from a financial crime perspective.
• Develop and deliver communications, awareness initiatives and training programmes across the firm.
• Support assurance activities, thematic reviews, audits and investigations relating to financial crime compliance.
• Contribute to strategic projects, regulatory change programmes and business initiatives, including international expansion activities.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues across the firm's international network to promote consistent standards and best practice.
• Support the firm's broader strategic objectives and help foster a strong culture of ethical conduct and compliance.

Skills and experience

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Experience gained in a risk and compliance or financial crime role, ideally within a law firm, financial institution or professional services environment. Relevant financial crime or compliance qualifications, such as an ICA qualification or equivalent, would be advantageous but are not essential.
• A strong academic background is preferred, and a law degree would be beneficial but is not essential.
• A strong interest in financial crime prevention and compliance.
• Knowledge of one or more financial crime disciplines, including sanctions, anti-bribery and corruption, fraud prevention, anti-money laundering, prevention of tax evasion or market abuse.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex issues and provide practical, risk-based solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical and regulatory concepts clearly to non-specialists.
• Strong research and policy drafting capabilities.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with confidence in engaging with colleagues at all levels.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A high level of integrity, sound judgement and attention to detail.

What we are looking for

The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate strong personal integrity and professional judgement.
• Take ownership of work and use initiative to solve problems.
• Build effective and trusted relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• Communicate confidently, clearly and pragmatically.
• Remain calm and resilient when managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Be curious, adaptable and willing to develop expertise across a broad range of financial crime topics.
• Work collaboratively while also being capable of operating independently.
• Take a practical and commercial approach to compliance while maintaining high professional standards.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement
• We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance