Senior Compliance Associate (3 Month FTC)

About Woodstock Legal Services:

Woodstock Legal Services isn’t your typical law firm. We’re breaking the mold – ditching the jargon, delivering expert advice, and doing things differently in the legal world. We've gathered our wisdom from years of legal experience and paired it with a willingness to break the mold.

At Woodstock, you’ll be part of a people-first culture where ideas are welcomed, collaboration is second nature, and your contribution really matters. We invest in our internal teams because we know they’re the engine that keeps everything running and we’re proud of the culture we’ve built together.

About Woodstock Legal Services & Lawhive Partnership

The Woodstock vision was to create a law firm that felt different, one where lawyers had true freedom and flexibility within a community of grade A lawyers and the best operational and regulatory support on offer - all while ensuring our clients remain our constant focus.

Since 2014, Woodstock has grown into a thriving community of lawyers, built on the principle that legal practice can be both professional and personal. We set out to create a place where lawyers have the freedom to shape fulfilling careers, and where clients benefit from clear, expert advice delivered with genuine care.

That vision remains at the heart of everything we do. By joining the Lawhive Group, we are strengthening this vision - combining the trusted relationships and values that define Woodstock, with innovative tools that ease the pressures of legal work. This means our lawyers can dedicate more time to what matters most: guiding and supporting our clients.

About the Role

Compliance sits at the heart of Woodstock Legal Services. It keeps client money safe, files moving and the firm on the right side of its regulators - and as the business grows, so does the volume and variety of that work.

This is not a box-ticking job. You will be close to real matters and real deadlines, helping make sure the firm operates compliantly, complex AML/ KYC checks are complete, evidence is captured properly and proportionate compliance support is provided to stakeholders. You will see the full breadth of compliance in a modern legal business via routine work and fresh legal projects touching on AML, data protection, conflicts, policy etc.

Day-to-day focus is likely to a blend of high-risk AML/KYC, general compliance support with pre-completion escalations, data protection, SAR administration and strategic/ policy and legal governance work – with cross-training across everything.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting AML/KYC administration – gathering, tracking and recording evidence, and following up on source of funds and source of wealth queries.

• Performing regular horizon scanning and taking a proactive stance in implementing the relevant outcomes

• Supporting SAR and data protection administration, including collating evidence for data breach assessments, assisting with containment actions and notifications where required.

• Co-ordinating cyclical processes and activities.

• Preparing reports, drafting guidance notes and supporting communication on key compliance themes, performing data analysis and presenting to key stakeholders/ leadership team.

• Monitoring the central Compliance inbox, maintaining registers, dashboards, trackers and compliance records accurate and up to date, so there is always a clear audit trail – open to the use of technology.

• Tracking policy reviews via a clear governance framework, and helping keep guidance, training and process documents current

• Being a reliable first point of contact for consultants, Support, Accounts and Operations on routine compliance questions.

• Chasing outstanding items politely and persistently - a surprising amount of good compliance is simply excellent follow-through.

• Preparing higher-risk or complex matters for escalation to the Senior Compliance Associate and leadership team, with the background pulled together and ready.

• Supporting the Senior Compliance Associate with embedding a culture of compliance and establishing a compliance learning programme from scratch.

• Leading compliance projects to meet organisational goals and achieve marginal gains.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in a law firm or other regulated environment, especially familiarity with AML/KYC, SRA requirements and data protection basics.

• Organised: you keep lists, close loops and nothing slips through.

• Attention to detail - names, dates, figures and documents all matter here.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and navigate complex matters with limited supervision.

• A clear, warm communicator and a team player who values their autonomy.

• Completely trustworthy with confidential and sensitive information.

• Curious about how legal and regulatory in-house compliance works, and keen to build a career in it.

• Comfortable juggling several work streams and asking for help when priorities clash.

What You’ll Get

• Real exposure to AML, financial crime, data protection, conflicts and policy work – breadth that is hard to find at this level.

• A supportive, close-knit team in a business that is scaling – your work will be visible and valued.

Interview Process

• Introductory call with our Talent team
• Compliance technical interview
• Values interview with our Directors
• We offer!

Benefits

✈️ 33 days’ annual leave (25 + bank holidays) plus your birthday off

🎄 Extended Christmas holiday

💰 Pension contribution

☮️ Give back - support a good cause with a charity day each year

⛳️ Regular socials/team events