Head of Compliance & Onboarding

About the role

Altum Consulting is seeking a Head of Compliance & Onboarding to lead its Risk and Compliance Department. Reporting to the Compliance Director, you will provide strategic regulatory advice while overseeing client and matter onboarding, compliance frameworks, and risk initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the firm’s compliance function with a commercial, proportionate approach.
• Advise senior stakeholders on SRA requirements, AML, sanctions, conflicts and other regulatory obligations.
• Own and maintain compliance policies, controls and procedures.
• Oversee client and matter onboarding, ensuring risk‑based CDD, EDD and matter risk assessments.
• Act as escalation point for complex or high‑risk onboarding decisions.
• Develop, mentor and manage the compliance team.
• Build trusted relationships across the firm, balancing regulatory and commercial goals.
• Conduct regulatory horizon scanning and implement framework enhancements.
• Design and deliver firm‑wide compliance training.
• Monitor compliance activities, identify emerging risks and drive continuous improvement.
• Prepare management reports on regulatory risks and compliance performance.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits and regulator engagement.

Required profile

• Significant senior compliance leadership experience in a UK law firm or regulated professional services environment.
• Strong knowledge of SRA Standards, UK Money Laundering Regulations, sanctions regimes and related legal obligations.
• Proven ability to give pragmatic, commercially focused regulatory advice to senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading, developing and motivating high‑performing compliance teams.
• Excellent analytical skills with a focus on risk‑based decision making.

Required skills