Senior Risk & Compliance Specialist

Overview

THE FIRM

Montagu Evans is a UK property consultancy that helps clients unlock value from complexity, because that’s where the most meaningful opportunities live.

Our purpose is to bring clarity, creativity, and conviction to the complex. We are experts who collaborate to create value, not just preserve it and our team is built for impact, not oversight.

We specialise in high-value, complex assets across the property lifecycle, where political, technical or commercial challenges demand a joined-up approach.

THE TEAM/DEPARTMENT

This role sits within the Risk & Compliance team, which plays a key role in supporting the firm's governance and regulatory compliance framework. As a property consultancy and estate agency business, the firm is supervised by HMRC for Anti-Money Laundering regulatory compliance purposes. The principal purpose of this role is to take ownership of risk-based Customer Due Diligence (CDD) for regulated work and Know Your Customer (KYC) checks for all other clients, ensuring the business can onboard clients and progress instructions efficiently while meeting regulatory and policy requirements.

The role will also be expected to support in other general compliance activities, including supporting the management of RICS/HMRC AML related record‑keeping, new starter compliance training, annual mandatory training, policy management and regulatory horizon scanning.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The role requires strong practical knowledge of HMRC AML requirements and proven experience applying them to complex cases, including corporate groups, trusts, offshore structures, high‑risk jurisdictions, politically exposed persons, sanctions screening and enhanced due diligence. The successful candidate will be expected to exercise sound judgement, identify red flags, challenge incomplete or unclear information, and escalat[e] concerns appropriately.

It also requires a strong communicator who can explain the key elements of the AML regime in clear, practical terms, translate regulatory requirements into proportionate due diligence steps, and help colleagues understand what is needed and why. A key part of the role is to reduce unnecessary friction between fee‑earners and compliance processes by providing pragmatic guidance, setting clear expectations and supporting efficient client onboarding.

This is a hands‑on role with significant day‑to‑day interaction across the business. It requires someone who can manage a busy pipeline of matters, work confidently with internal stakeholders and external counter parties, and help embed high standards of CDD/KYC compliance through clear advice, pragmatic support and continuous improvement of processes.

The role reports into the Head of Finance and Risk

• Lead the timely completion of risk-based CDD checks on clients and counter parties to new transactions in compliance with HMRC AML requirements for Estate Agency Businesses and the firm's internal policies.
• Undertake KYC checks for non-regulated services in accordance with the firm's established procedures, applying a proportionate and risk-based approach.
• Assess ownership and control structures, source supporting information, and verify complex corporate entities, trusts, offshore vehicles and other high-risk client types.
• Carry out sanctions, PEP and adverse media screening, evaluate findings, and determine when enhanced due diligence or further escalation is required.
• Engage confidently with internal stakeholders, clients and counter parties to obtain the information and evidence required to complete CDD/KYC checks to a high standard.
• Conduct ongoing AML monitoring and periodic reviews of existing clients, ensuring records remain accurate, current and appropriately risk assessed.
• Identify suspicious activity, red flags or other money laundering concerns and escalat[e] them promptly to the Head of Compliance / Deputy MLRO with clear supporting rationale.
• Manage a portfolio of matters proactively, balancing regulatory requirements with commercial timelines to avoid unnecessary delays to the business.
• Provide practical compliance advice and support to colleagues across the business on onboarding requirements,…