International Bank based in the City, are looking to hire a Legal Counsel/Compliance Manager. This is an exciting dual position where the principal purpose of the role, will be assisting the Bank's Management in its responsibility for complying with all relevant regulations and also in-house Legal Counsel.

Main responsibilities & accountabilities of the Legal Counsel/Compliance Manager will include;

Legal Counsel

• Sole Lawyer and first point of contact on general legal matters across the Bank.
• To keep abreast of existing and incoming predominantly EU and UK legislation and regulatory changes, analysing, reporting and implementing the changes within the business.
• Providing wide-ranging legal advice and support to the business areas across the Bank.
• Working closely with all departments in the Bank, suppliers and external legal advisers whenever necessary.
• Advising on banking agreements such as loan and security documentation, ISDAs and schedules, process agent agreements, non-disclosure agreements, netting agreements, debt issuances, outsourcing contracts, contracts with other members of the group etc.; and producing a suite of legal templates where appropriate.
• Maintain and update a Legal Risk Monitoring Plan and produce clear and timely reports highlighting areas of improvement.
• Initiate new policies or procedures to bolster the Bank's legal risk framework, as appropriate.
• Maintain and improve Bank's legal risk procedures.
• Co-ordinate, advise on and oversee the sourcing of external legal advice when necessary.
• Maintain and conduct periodic reviews of the Bank's Legal Panel.
• Prepare periodic legal risk management reports to various stakeholders such as Head Office, board of directors.
• Conduct / organise training sessions for Bank staff to improve understanding and management of legal risk in the Bank.
• Managing the Bank's litigation portfolio.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with other departments and provide appropriate advice on legal issues. Refer issues to your Line Manager as required.
• Assist the Head of Compliance & Legal in the planning and prioritisation of legal work.

• Monitor changes to legislation and regulatory rules affecting the Bank and advise management and staff of the implications of these regulatory changes.

Compliance Manager

• Perform day-to-day reviews determined by the Compliance Monitoring Plan, produce clear and timely reports highlighting areas of improvement, and track all actions raised.
• Review and provide recommendations for the Bank's operating procedures, both manuals & actual processes, and review management information from a compliance perspective.
• Provide appropriate cross-departmental support in relation of the closing of Compliance action points.
• Provide greater support in the embedding in of Compliance policies into the business whilst maintaining operational independence.
• Encourage a more collaborative cross-departmental approach to improving compliance culture.
• Recommend improvements where appropriate and ensure that compliance manuals are kept up-to-date in the light of developing legislation.
• Provide bank-wide training to all staff as required and assist in identifying compliance-related training needs in the Bank.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with other departments and provide appropriate advice on compliance issues. Refer issues to your line manager as required.
• Proactively assist the Head of Compliance & Legal in the planning and prioritisation of compliance work and provide thought-through, efficient and practical recommendations.
• Monitor changes to legislation and regulatory rules affecting the Bank and advise management and staff of the implications of these regulatory changes.
• Assist in all other tasks, periodic, ad hoc or otherwise, as directed by your Line Manager.
• Review changes to HO Compliance and AML policies / procedures and perform gap assessments and propose uplifts to applicable Bank policies, as appropriate.
• Support the Head of Compliance & Legal and MLRO on all regular and ad hoc HO reporting requirements.

To be considered for this position (Legal Counsel & Compliance Manager), ideal candidates must have the following experience and skills.

• Must be a qualified UK Solicitor.
• Be prepared to work in a challenging environment and be comfortable communicating with people of all levels and experience, including Senior Management, front office, external Lawyers and clients.
• Be self-motivated, approachable, able to absorb technical information and eager to both learn and coach.
• Be able to balance well the commercial interests of the Bank and the need to mitigate legal risk.
• Demonstrate up to date knowledge of the legal and regulatory (FCA/PRA) environment, relevant policy developments, awareness of global regulatory and legal developments, and have an appreciation for the approach of other legal and regulatory bodies.
• Be efficient and able to manage deadlines and prioritise work.
• Experience of working in a Compliance and / or Legal Department within a financial institution or regulator.