Compliance Risk Specialist

The role of the Compliance Risk Specialist is to provide comprehensive risk and compliance support to the business in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The APAC region encompasses Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand, with a presence in four offices across Australia.

The successful candidate will be part of a regional risk team tasked with ensuring the firm maintains the highest standards in relationships between professional legal advisers and clients, identifies and manages risks, and complies with regulatory requirements. The role may involve supervisory responsibilities for junior team members where applicable and close collaboration with other Risk colleagues regionally and globally.

The Compliance Risk Specialist reports directly to the Sydney-based Head of Legal & Regulatory Risk (APAC). While based in Sydney, Singapore, or Hong Kong, this role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment with a global perspective.

About the Role:

• Responding to queries from partners, functional managers, and key stakeholders on a wide range of client-facing and internal governance, legal, and risk matters in the APAC region.
• Reviewing commercial contract terms with public and private sector clients and legal services suppliers, including framework, referral, and escrow agreements, client engagement terms, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and memorandum of understanding (MOUs).
• Working with the team to manage anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) queries for the region and assisting with preparation for regulatory supervision, regulatory filing obligations, suspicious activity reporting, and liaison with authorities, financial intelligence units, and legal services regulators.
• Supporting cross-functional business projects for the risk function.
• Collaborating with conflicts lawyers to assist with conflicts clearance.
• Supporting the development of and embedding of risk policies, procedures, and guidance to deliver a practical, robust, and forward-looking approach.
• Fostering relationships and engagement with functional departments, such as business development, information technology, human resources, and finance, to promote the risk function's profile and services within the firm and encourage joined-up approaches to projects and problems.
• Assisting with the implementation of a risk training and induction program across the region, aligned with the global training plan, and delivering training.
• Taking an active role in promoting and developing a healthy risk management culture across the region, encouraging a good ethical approach to decision-making.
• Assisting with the supervision and development of other members of the team as required.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Legally qualified in the jurisdiction where the role is based, with over 5 years' experience, ideally part of which was working in a leading commercial law firm.
• Dual qualified in England and Wales, desirable but not essential.
• Previous experience in risk and compliance.
• Previous experience in data privacy and regulatory obligations highly regarded.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Creates and sustains a positive team environment.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to focus on detail while considering the larger picture.
• Takes responsibility and ownership for issues and problems.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and think critically.
• A strong service focus with the need to listen and understand the essential requirements of different areas of the firm.
• Thrives in a dynamic environment with a flexible, solutions-focused approach and a track record of providing actionable information leading to enhanced outcomes.
• Ability to challenge the status quo with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: influence and conviction to communicate effectively across all levels of an international organization.

Benefits:

Clyde & Co offers a range of benefits and support tailored to the needs of its employees, including discounted private health insurance, family leave policies, and wellbeing initiatives.

About Clyde & Co:

Clyde & Co is a leading global law firm that provides comprehensive risk and compliance expertise to organizations operating across various sectors, including insurance, aviation, marine, construction, energy, trade, and natural resources. With a presence in nearly 70 offices worldwide, the firm is committed to operating responsibly, progressing towards a diverse and inclusive workforce, and using its legal and professional skills to support communities through pro bono work, volunteering, and charitable partnerships.