Senior Adviser, Financial Crime Policy and Advisory (UK, US & EMEA) - 12 Months FTC

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Key responsibilities

Financial Crime & Sanctions Advisory:

• Provide day-to-day financial crime advisory support to practice groups and business units on AML/CTF and sanctions compliance.

• Act as an escalation point for sanctions-related matters, conducting legal analysis and advising on the application of UK, US, EU and Australian sanctions regimes.

• Assist in analysing and managing financial crime risks associated with new business and client onboarding.

• Act as escalation point for unusual activity reports and complex referrals.

Policy & Framework Development:

• Drive and contribute to key projects and strategic initiatives related to AML/CTF reforms.

• Support the development and implementation of AML/CTF policies, controls and procedures.

• Coordinate stakeholder consultation and deliver timely policy refreshes aligned to regulatory change.

• Maintain audit‑ready records of decisions, approvals, overrides, incidents and remediation.

Risk Assessment and Mitigation:

• Support the identification, assessment, and resolution of sanctions-related incidents, liaising with senior stakeholders and coordinating appropriate risk mitigation and remedial actions.

• Conduct risk assessments and gap analyses to identify potential financial crime risks.

• Develop remediation plans and controls to manage identified risks.

• Support investigation and resolution of financial crime incidents, including post-incident policy reviews and lessons learnt.

Regulatory Enquiries and Documentation:

• Support responses to regulatory enquiries, audits and surveys.

• Prepare evidence and briefing materials for internal and external audits and complete industry or regulator surveys.

Qualifications, skills and experience

• Candidates should hold a degree and have minimum 4 years’ experience in a regulated financial crime environment.

• Technical expertise on applicable financial crime and AML/CTF regulations and legislation.

• In-depth knowledge of international sanctions regimes, including OFSI, OFAC, EU and DFAT requirements and regulatory expectations.

• An ability to handle complex and confidential matters, with total discretion.

• Excellent research and analytical skills.

• Good commercial awareness.

• Ability to prioritise workload.

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to work autonomously and prioritise multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Excellent verbal, written and face to face communication skills.

• Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines.

Success Factors

Bringing my Best

• Works with autonomy to deliver high quality work

• Identifies opportunities to take on stretch assignments

• Embraces change and actively acquires new knowledge and skills to add value to their role

Creating Great Results

• Explores stakeholder needs and perspectives to develop solutions

• Trusted by stakeholders and team for recommendations on areas within specialty

• Adapts communication and approach to different audiences and stakeholder needs

Supporting and Developing others

• Plays a valuable leadership role within the team

• Actively supports others by sharing their firm knowledge and subject matter expertise

• Effectively collaborates within department and across business services to deliver for stakeholders

Enhancing the firm

• Provides advice in the context of firm commercial issues and goals

• Navigates competing tensions to achieve what is in the best interests of the firm

• Makes recommendations on how the firm can adapt to industry changes and developments

Team

General Counsel and RiskFull time

Location

London

Contract type

Fixed Term Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.