Head of Risk & Compliance

High Impact Role In A Top International Law Firm

Our client is a top international law firm with more than 130 years of history, advising successful individuals, families, businesses, and institutions on complex legal matters while emphasizing high-performance client service. The firm is known for its cross-border capabilities, entrepreneurial culture, and people-focused approach, helping clients navigate critical moments and long-term strategic opportunities across a global platform.

Job Description

Lead and develop the US Risk & Compliance team, setting operational standards, managing performance, and supporting resource planning. Oversee regulatory compliance, professional responsibility, and professional indemnity matters across the firm's US offices. Direct the firm's new business intake, conflicts analysis, conflict resolution, waivers, engagement terms, and ethical screen processes. Develop and implement comprehensive risk management strategies and compliance frameworks. Monitor and ensure adherence to relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards. Lead internal audits and investigations to identify and address compliance risks. Provide guidance and training to partners and firm leadership on risk and compliance matters. Collaborate with legal and operational teams to manage risk exposure effectively. Monitor emerging regulatory developments, maintain key risk registers, and provide reporting and risk insights to firm leadership and governance bodies. Prepare and present risk assessments and compliance reports to senior leadership. Act as the primary point of contact for external regulators and auditors.

The role can be based in New York, New Haven (CT) or Greenwich (CT).

The Successful Applicant

Qualification requirements include:

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal degree, with an active U.S. bar admission in good standing
• 6-8+ years of experience in law firm risk and compliance, professional responsibility, ethics, conflicts, Office of General Counsel, or related legal risk functions, including people leadership experience
• Strong experience in conflicts and risk management, new business intake, engagement terms and creation and implementation of ethical screens.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to engage with diverse stakeholders, train and lead legal professionals and drive adoption of policy.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective compliance programs.
• Experience with risk and compliance technologies, particularly conflicts and new business intake platforms such as Intapp, and a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risk.
• Willingness to travel among US and international offices, as required.

What's On Offer

The salary range for this role is $280,000 to $350,000 USD for New York and Connecticut. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual discretionary bonus. The firm offers a comprehensive package of benefits including Paid Time Off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k), life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, healthcare FSA, commuter benefits, paid parental leave, back-up childcare to eligible employees. This role follows a hybrid in-office schedule.