Baker McKenzie

The Senior Compliance Officer will act as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders, supporting and guiding them on complex and day-to-day compliance matters in collaboration with the Compliance Director.

The role-holder will act as an experienced compliance specialist, providing both strategic and practical guidance to lawyers, junior notaries, and tax advisors. The Compliance Officer will work independently to advise on compliance issues and ensure best practices across the Firm. To maintain consistency in policies and share expertise on European regulations, including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Whistleblowing, and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).  The individual will monitor developments in the European regulatory landscape and align with global counterparts.

Main responsibilities:

Data Privacy and AML:

• Ensure and enhance compliance with regulations such as GDPR in all data processing activities, and the AML/Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) area
• Implement robust measures to protect the confidentiality and integrity of client information

Ethical Standards:

• Uphold the highest ethical standards and ensure all activities align with professional norms; Serve as the primary point of contact for the Code of Conduct and Attorney Manual

Process Optimization:

• Identify process bottlenecks and independently initiate and develop improvement proposals
• Monitor changes in Dutch and European legislation and translate them into clear guidelines, processes, and policies for Baker McKenzie

Knowledge Sharing and Advisory:

• Provide compliance advice, support, and training to internal stakeholders, including Partners, Fee Earners, and PAs
• Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders, including Partners, Fee Earners, PAs, New Business Intake (NBI) team, AML Analysts, and the Compliance Director

Working closely and with the Compliance Director:

• Develop yourself as highly experienced Compliance Officer, under the guidance of the Compliance Director
• Deliver insights for risk management, effectively influence and engage diverse stakeholders
• Proactively escalate identified risks to the Compliance Director, providing clear reasoning and actionable recommendations
• Collaborate on Compliance-related matters or projects as identified and assigned by the Compliance Director

Skills and experience:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree, preferably in Law, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field
• Relevant Compliance experience, preferably in an international law firm, insurance, or banking environment
• Familiar with risk management, including conducting integrity risk analyses, and understanding the various aspects of Compliance in an international context
• Knowledge and experience with privacy legislation (GDPR) and its practical application is preferable
• Strong analytical skills, able to work with precision, and have a keen eye for detail
• Fluent in Dutch and English, both spoken and written
• Capable of working independently when needed, taking ownership of tasks and current situations
• Comfortable working autonomously with minimal supervision 
• Assertive, persuasive, and capable of understanding organizational dynamics and building relationships with stakeholders at different levels
• Act with integrity, take initiative, and think outside the box
• Able to provide autonomous, practical, and actionable advice
• A team player with a proactive and positive attitude

Reports to: Amsterdam Compliance Director

Position type: Regional

Development framework: Specialist

At Baker McKenzie we are different in the way we think, work and behave. With our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 locally admitted lawyers, in over 70 offices worldwide, we have a passionately collaborative community of 60 nationalities and are committed to world-class career development to everyone in every job at every level. Baker McKenzie can offer you both the uncompromising commitment to excellence expected of a top firm paired with a passionately global and genuinely collaborative working environment.

Baker McKenzie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all. Our unique international culture is reflected in the drawing together of a worldwide family of individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds in all of our offices. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or age - to fulfill their professional aspirations with us. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.