Manager - Sanctions

Allen & Overy is a leading global law firm operating in over thirty countries. We work on some of the most challenging and important deals and have built a reputation for delivering exceptional legal solutions that help our clients grow, innovate and thrive. The legal industry is changing, and we're committed to leading that change, putting our people first, embracing new ways of thinking and integrating technology into our everyday work. Our business teams work hand-in-hand with our lawyers, Consultants and other specialist teams, and are ambitious, driven and leaders in their field.

We're on an exciting journey to create an even stronger offering for our clients and our people: In May 2023, we announced our proposed merger with Shearman and Sterling, with the intention of becoming a new global leader named Allen Overy Shearman Sterling, A&O Shearman for short.

With a shared commitment to attracting and retaining the best people and an equal focus on creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, we're confident that this merger will further our efforts to leave a better firm for future generations as well as providing our people with exceptional career opportunities along the way.

Once complete, the merger will combine two of the world's most prestigious law firms, leaders in their respective markets, to create an integrated global elite firm. You can read more about this on our dedicated microsite

With us, you will constantly be learning and growing. We invest in you by offering exceptional professional and personal development - providing training, mentoring and practical support. We offer rewarding careers that are built around your strengths and designed to ensure you can achieve your personal and professional goals, recognising that those may look different for everyone.

We have a powerful commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We're determined to play our part in advancing a workplace where progress is made by harnessing our differences - whatever defines you, we ask you to bring your whole self to work. What truly defines a career at Allen & Overy? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. We provide challenge, support and a place for you to belong. And together we excel, working on meaningful projects of global significance.

Department purpose

The Business Acceptance Unit (BAU) is a dynamic, global, collegiate team responsible for assessing all new business before it is accepted by the firm's partners, to ensure the firm's commercial objectives and legal obligations are met. The team work closely with partners and other senior stakeholders to identify and resolve legal and commercial conflict issues, sanctions and anti-money laundering risks, as well as reputational and values issues in each of the jurisdictions in which Allen & Overy operates. The BAU has a unique, wholistic view of the firm's business and clients, and facilitates strategic decisions by the firm's partners and leaders as well as managing the firm's risk exposure with regard to new work. The BAU is widely respected throughout the firm and strongly supported by the firm's management.

Role and responsibilities

• Liaising with the existing BAU Managers, Senior Analysts and BAU team management in relation to the allocation of resources within the team to ensure the BAU's processes in the area of sanctions compliance run as smoothly and efficiently as possible and that workload is managed and completed in a timely way.
• In conjunction with the existing BAU Managers, assisting with the day-to-day management of those members of the BAU team focused on sanctions compliance.
• Working closely with and supporting the Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions and In-House Lawyer team to implement enhancements and changes to the BAU's processes in respect of sanctions compliance and monitoring of the same on an ongoing basis.
• Analysing and resolving professional, legal, regulatory and commercial issues relating to business acceptance and client engagement in the area of sanctions, which are referred by the BAU analyst and legal teams, by partners and by all other levels of lawyer and support staff.
• Being a senior contact point for colleagues globally in relation to the BAU team's processes and procedures.
• Monitoring changes in practice, professional rules, regulations and the law as affects sanctions globally and escalating any proposed adjustments/enhancements to the Head Financial Crime & Sanctions for consideration.
• Assisting and supporting the Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions in ensuring that firm and BAU policy and procedure in the areas of sanctions, meet applicable requirements and that the process is as efficient and streamlined as possible, whilst remaining thorough and rigorous.
• Helping to develop and refine internal databases and evaluating external databases of information / services for use in the business acceptance process, particularly technological solutions in the area of sanctions compliance.
• Helping in the design of and taking day-to-day responsibility for the management and completion of sanctions projects (e.g. introduction of new technological solutions and processes and sanctions matter records sweeps).
• Assisting in the design, implementation and delivery of sanctions training for the BAU team and fee earners.
• Supporting the day-to-day aspects of the recruitment processes in relation to relevant vacancies in the BAU team.
• Where requested, representing the BAU in the areas of sanctions at cross-departmental and external meetings.
• Supporting the AML Regulation Manager in responding to regulatory audit requests relating to sanctions compliance, including working with the Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions to ensure any post-audit recommendations are implemented.
• Assisting with compliance audits commissioned by Allen & Overy.
• Assisting with the day-to-day aspects of the process for ongoing client and counterparty screening using the Accuity software, including helping the Head of Financial Crime & Sanctions in refining and further developing the use of that technology.
• Providing regular reports and updates of team workload to BAU team management.
• Being flexible in undertaking the above responsibilities and any others so required.
  Key requirements
  • Existing senior level experience of work and responsibilities of an international BAU team in the area of sanctions compliance.
  • Detailed knowledge and experience of BAU systems and processes in the area of sanctions compliance.
  • Ability to analyse facts and scenarios thoroughly and to proactively put forward resolutions to problems.
  • Top-level task management and organisational skills and a proven ability to manage multiple tasks under time pressure.
  • Strong communicator with a proven ability to motivate others and communicate positively and effectively with multiple stakeholders.
  • Some experience of and an interest in further developing people management and mentoring skills.
  • Willingness to take day-to-day responsibility for the BAU's workload and key processes in the area of sanctions compliance.
  • Enthusiastic, self-motivated and pro-active with a "can do" approach to solve problems and look beyond practical and logistical challenges by suggesting solutions and implementing them.

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