CMI Team Lead

Role profile

Due to continued growth we have an exciting opportunity for a CMI Team Leader to join the Risk & Compliance team. This is a permanent position, based in the Bristol office on a hybrid working pattern with three days in the office.

The team

A positive and supportive team culture is a vital part of both the Client Matter Inception (CMI) and the wider Risk & Compliance Team. Working together is at the heart of everything we do. It enables us to deliver a professional, high standard of service to the business within a happy and enjoyable environment. We believe in nurturing each person's strengths, supporting them when they need it and encouraging them to progress through personal development and training. We are a progressive and ever adapting team where opinions are always valued and input is always welcome.

The opportunity

The main purpose of this role is to support the CMI Deputy Manager in the day-to-day management of the UK Client & Matter Inception team, ensuring high service levels and consistent delivery of all tasks associated with OC's Work Acceptance procedures.

The role focuses on workflow management, resource planning, quality assurance, training coordination and operational governance, while ensuring compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct, Anti-Money Laundering, Data Protection and other relevant legislation and regulations.

The Team Leader partners closely with Senior Officers, who primarily own urgent/complex casework and technical risk decisions, while the Team Leader drives capacity, process discipline and stakeholder coordination, through practice group engagement.

Key responsibilities

• Team leadership and workflow management:
  • Manage the distribution and prioritisation of day-to-day CMI tasks to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services, while maintaining team morale, inclusion and development.
  • Act as the initial point of contact for operational queries from the CMI team, coordinating responses and escalating to the CMI Deputy Manager as appropriate.
  • Plan capacity, rota and cross-cover; monitor intake volumes, turnaround times and backlogs; proactively rebalance workload and remove delivery blockers.
  • Coordinate multi-jurisdictional requests with international OC offices to achieve timely conflict and compliance clearances
• Partner with CMI Senior Officers, who formally sign off training completion and competency for Compliance Assistants; conduct quality assurance spot checks to ensure work quality, training records and compliance are maintained.
• Partner with CMI Senior Officers to allocate and oversee the most urgent or complex requests: Senior Officers own the technical casework and risk positions; the Team Leader acts as incident manager, coordinating stakeholders, resolving bottlenecks and ensuring timely outcomes.
• Provide line management for a team of Compliance Assistants and CMI Officers; provide regular guidance and feedback, facilitate career development and role model OC's values
• Monitor operational and compliance risks emerging through the workflow; maintain a practical risk/escalation log; ensure timely escalation to the Deputy CMI Manager and Head of CMI where required.
• Champion system and process enhancements; implement continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen quality, timeliness and internal client experience.
• Business Partner with designated Operations Manager to deliver on objectives and drive adherence to CMI processes.
• Deputise for the CMI Deputy Manager when required; co-ordinate workflow allocation, triage and prioritisation, resource planning and process governance.
• Able to perform the role of a CMI Senior Officer when required, including intake review, conflict checking and analysis, initial AML triage, client/matter maintenance and ad hoc CMI processes.

What we're looking for

As a CMI Team Leader, you will act as the primary escalation point for the team and will therefore be expected to demonstrate strong CMI and/or AML experience. Previous experience with InTapp is essential for this role. We'll also be looking for:

• Expert analytical and research skills with strong attention to detail
• Confident delegation and task prioritisation skills; able to manage multiple complex matters concurrently to agreed deadlines and to a high standard
• A client centric approach, with the ability to influence and build trusted relationships at all levels
• Strong understanding of the commercial context of a global law firm; able to balance risk management with client service and pragmatic delivery.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to constructively challenge and probe for the right information.
• Understanding of how to manage, support and lead a high-performing team
• Demonstrates resilience and composure in challenging situations, setting a positive tone for the team.

Salary and benefits

We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits. We value the health and wellbeing of our people and our wide range of initiatives and benefits support this.

Our recruitment process

Please note that although we include closing dates for our roles as a guide, we review and progress applications on a rolling basis. At Osborne Clarke we do not make any recruitment decisions using automated decision-making.

We are committed to providing an environment where you can perform to the best of your abilities at every stage of your recruitment experience and beyond. If you require any adjustments to be made during the application stage, interview process, or when working with us, please let us know in confidence.

About Us

Osborne Clarke is an international legal practice with over 330 Partners and more than 1,260 talented lawyers in 26 locations*. Our sector-based approach enables us to help our clients tackle the issues they are facing today, and prepare for the ones that they will face tomorrow. Advising them both comprehensively and commercially. We love working closely with our clients on new deals, products and solutions which will transform their businesses, markets and even sectors. And our unique approachable culture is not an added extra, it's fundamental to our success.

At Osborne Clarke we value difference and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We want everyone to feel that OC is a place where you can be yourself and belong, and our range of interest groups and diversity networks - not to mention our great teams - are a part of making that a reality.

*Services in India are provided by a relationship firm