Who we are

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

The Role

The Compliance Manager provides advice and guidance to partners, lawyers and business professionals across the full spectrum of risk and compliance issues as set out below.

The Compliance Manager reports to the Head of Regional Compliance, Asia Pacific and the Singapore General Manager. The Compliance Manager works closely with the Chief Risk and Compliance Officer ("CR&CO"), the Global Head of Compliance ("GHC") the Risk & Compliance team, other Compliance Managers and Officers in the global network; and relevant Business Professional function managers to ensure that the Firm meets its obligations in relation to the areas set out below.

The Compliance Manager is responsible for championing and leading the compliance function in the relevant office or country and being a trusted advisor to Partners, other fee earners and business professionals. With in-depth knowledge of the legal industry and the Firm's priorities, as well as being an expert in business support processes, the Compliance Manager will confidently manage and own the compliance program locally.

The Compliance Manager is expected to form and develop excellent working relationships with their Office Managing Partner ("OMP"), GM and other key stakeholders. The Compliance Manager takes primary responsibility for the compliance function within the office or country. The Compliance Managers may from time to time be expected to take on additional responsibility and those with country responsibility may be involved in leading regional initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

The Compliance Manager's key responsibilities include the following:

General Compliance

• With the OMP/GM (as appropriate), lead the promotion and monitoring of compliance locally, taking into account the compliance objectives set by the CR&CO.
• Design, develop and implement preventive monitoring mechanisms with respect to compliance objectives.
• Leading local office efforts to create awareness of Clifford Chance global policies and procedures and provide compliance advice and guidance to partners, lawyers and business professionals. This includes:
  • Participating in the creation of new global policies and actively promoting awareness of and compliance with new global policies in the local office.
  • Monitoring compliance with global policies in the local office.
  • Where applicable, designing local policies that align with global or regional policies and liaising with the Head of Regional Compliance, Asia Pacific and/or GHC on any differences in local policies that may be required.
  • Identifying and analysing incidences of non-compliance and implementing rectification measures.

In relation to our gifts and hospitality policy:

• • Advise the team in Singapore office on queries relating to gifts and hospitality.
  • Be an advisor to the central compliance team on gifts and hospitality requiring central compliance approval in relation to any local restrictions or specific local concerns.
  • Proactively monitor local regulatory changes which may have an impact on the operations of the Firm and existing policies and procedures and advise the OMP and central compliance function of any such changes and their impact potentially on the firm.
• Proactively identify and assess key regulatory and compliance risks of the local office.
• Together with the Head of Regional Compliance, Asia Pacific and GHC:

• Implement, operate and develop the compliance management system for the Singapore office, taking into account specific local requirements and legislation.
• Identify compliance objectives for the Singapore office.
• Monitor the development and implementation of mandatory risk and compliance training programmes.
• Develop and/or implement new standardised compliance processes, rules and regulations.
• Develop and implement an effective system for communicating compliance topics.
• Develop a compliance culture and raise awareness of compliance issues and the Clifford Chance Compliance Policy.
• Regularly report to the GM, OMP, Head of Regional Compliance, Asia Pacific and GHC on regulatory and compliance matters that may arise.
• Other responsibilities that may be described in the Clifford Chance Compliance Policy from time to time or which may be ancillary to the responsibilities described above.

Anti-money laundering

• Support the Money Laundering Report Officer ("MLRO") in the discharge of their duties including, for example, providing support on Suspicious Transaction Reports (including liaising with the global team) and completion of annual MLRO report.

Data Privacy

• Act as the Data Protection Officer for the Singapore office.
• Act as the local Data Privacy Contact under the Firm's Data Privacy policy, taking responsibility for Data Privacy issues arising in Singapore, including ensuring strict compliance with Data Privacy regulations, co-ordinating the annual Data Privacy registration process where applicable and stimulate and promote awareness of the Firm's Data Privacy policy.
• Working closely with the central compliance team, assist with the implementation of any global policies and processes in the context of extraterritorial Data Privacy regulations such as GDPR.

Reporting Obligations

• Report promptly to the GM, Head of Regional Compliance, Asia Pacific and the GHC (and OMP or CR&CO where appropriate) on serious compliance violations in their respective country. Propose action aimed at preventing repeated violations in their respective country. Report other compliance violations promptly to offices or persons in a position to prohibit or sanction them.
• Report every six months to the GHC on compliance activities and compliance violations in their respective country.
• Report annually to the GHC on the assessment of any compliance risks which could lead to compliance violations or otherwise impair compliance objectives in their respective country.

Your experience

The successful candidate should meet the following criteria and have no less than 6 years prior working experience:

• Previous experience as a Compliance professional or other experience relevant to the role and its key responsibilities.
• Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Good understanding of local bar regulations and law firms.
• Good understanding of local anti-money laundering, anti-bribery, data privacy and insider trading regulations.
• Experience in implementing internal policies and controls in relation to the above.
• Experience delivering compliance-related training.
• Professional compliance qualification will be considered favourably.
• Legal qualifications, particularly in the practice of Singapore law (or other common law jurisdiction), will be considered favourably.
• Ability to carry out responsibilities independently and take a leadership role.  

Additional Responsibilities 

The Compliance Manager may also be expected to take on the following responsibilities:

Contracts

•   Review and assist with engagement letters, supplier contracts and other agreements and documents to be entered into by the Firm.
•   Ensure compliance of the office with the Firm's Procurement Policy

Audit Letters

• Prepare and review draft audit letters before signature partner.
• Regularly review and update template audit letters.

Others

•   Advise the Firm on Singapore employment law and employment related issues (specifically with respect to registration of lawyers) and assist the HR team with employment related agreements and notices.
•  Assist Singapore finance team by providing guidance on local SARs and related regulations; and Assist the Firm with corporate secretarial and related compliance issue.

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here