Compliance Solicitor

Compliance Solicitor
£50,000 to £60,000 plus excellent benefits (Work Level 5) 
Manchester, Bristol, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Sheffield – in this role you’ll work in a hybrid way splitting your time between home and one of our offices (find out more about our hybrid working policy at jobs.coop.co.uk/hybrid-working-policy)

We’re looking for a Compliance Solicitor to join us at Co-op Legal Services (CLS).

In this role, we’ll look to you to be our technical specialist in regulatory compliance, providing compliance oversight and strategic support to the business for all legal and regulatory requirements. 

As a fast-growing business, you’ll also support us in providing due diligence and governance of contractual relationships with our business partners. As CLS continues to grow, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to develop your skills and build a rewarding career with us.

Why this job matters

You’ll work collaboratively with the Compliance team supporting legal operations and providing knowledge relating to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) code of conduct, operational governance, regulatory compliance framework, data protection, anti-money laundering, complaint handling, professional indemnity insurance and negligence claims. Your expertise will help ensure that CLS meets its regulatory obligations and protects the business as it grows. 

What you’ll do

• Advise on matters relating to the SRA Standards and Regulations, Principles, Codes of Conduct, and engaging with the relevant regulators as required
• Draft and review CLS policies and procedures – working with other business areas to drive efficiencies whilst meeting regulatory obligations
• Assist operations with client onboarding including conflict checking, client due diligence and AML queries
• Support the data protection lead and deputise when necessary to managing DSARs, deletion requests, and undertaking data breach investigations
• Sample file reviews/audits
• Be responsible for Practicing Certificate and PII policy renewals
• Investigate regulatory breach notifications, preparing reports for COLP/SRA as required
• Monitor the relationships with new and existing business partners, performing due diligence and governance of contracts
• Provide support and manage issues escalated from CLS colleagues and Heads of Practice

What you’ll bring

We’re committed to making our roles as accessible as possible, so we only ask for the minimum criteria. To thrive here, you’ll need to bring:

• Significant experience of SRA regulation as a qualified solicitor 
• A background in legal operations
• Strong analytical, communication, and organisational skills, combined with a proactive and solution-orientated mindset
• Experience of dealing with complaints and professional negligence claims
• Good knowledge of data protection legislation and processes 
• Understanding of money laundering regulations

Why Co-op?

At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:

•    An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)

•    28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays 

•    A pension with up to 10% employer contributions 

•    Private healthcare

•    30% discount on Co-op products and 10% off other brands 

•    Stream – early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it 

•    Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice 

•    24/7 colleague support service 

•    Training and support for your development and career progression

•    Cycle-to-work scheme

A place you’ll belong

We’re building diverse and inclusive teams that reflect the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to creating a workplace where colleagues can feel like they belong, supported by our inclusive policies and the ways we work.

We’re proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme and offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a job. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, we’ll support you.

Learn more about our recruitment process at jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process and our inclusion commitments at jobs.coop.co.uk/diversity-inclusion

As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes around 20 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.

Please note that we may close applications for this role early.