Client Onboarding Specialist – Legal

Honeycomb is partnering with a large Professional |Services corporate based in Belfast city to recruit for a Client Onboarding Specialist. The role is full time and permanent and comes with an excellent salary and benefits package. The company is in an exciting growth phase offering ongoing training & development opportunities. An ideal time to join the firm.

The Client

A large professional services firm with Grade A office space in Belfast city centre, close to all transport hubs. The firm is going through an exciting expansion phase making it the ideal time to join. Known for being a true leader in their field the firm is heavily invested in their staff and career progression.

The Role

The Client Onboarding Specialist is a critical operational role within the firm's Risk function. You will be responsible for the end-to-end inception process, acting as a primary gatekeeper for the firm.To be successful in this role you with have experience in both conflicts of interest and AML / CDD. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to analyse complex corporate structures, identify regulatory risks, and apply judgement to maintain an excellent onboarding function.

Key Responsibilities:

Conflicts Clearance

• Analyse complex conflict check results generated by the firm's systems (Intapp), differentiating between administrative "false positives" and genuine legal or commercial conflicts.
• Investigate corporate relationships to determine if a conflict exists, utilising internal databases and external corporate intelligence tools.
• Identify potential conflicts and escalate where necessary, liaising directly with stakeholders to resolve issues efficiently.
• Maintain clear and audible records of all conflict clearance activity.

Client Due Diligence (CDD)

• Experience of detailed Due Diligence on high-risk clients, including unravelling complex ownership structures (Trusts, SPVs, Funds) to identify Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs).
• Advise on CDD requirements across multiple jurisdictions, tailoring guidance to local regulatory expectations.
• Perform risk assessments at client inception and during updates, identifying high-risk clients through screening and analysis.
• Investigate and assess adverse media, politically exposed persons (PEPs), and source of wealth/funds, preparing clear and concise reports for senior review.
• Collate all research and approvals in a structured and comprehensible manner for internal use.

Ad Hoc Support

• Respond to onboarding, billing, and file-opening queries from fee-earners, PAs, and business services teams.
• Assist the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) with research for suspicious activity reports.

Key Skills & Experience

• Experience in both conflicts checking and anti-money laundering (AML) processes.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret and communicate findings clearly.
• Manage a high-volume workload independently, prioritising urgent matter openings without compromising on regulatory accuracy.
• Confident communicator, comfortable engaging with stakeholders at all levels.
• Self-motivated and collaborative, with a willingness to take on both complex and routine tasks as needed.
• Experience using Intapp and screening platforms.

Package

• Excellent salary & Benefits package
• Hybrid working
• Private medical insurance
• Health cash plan
• Dental insurance
• Life assurance
• Critical illness insurance
• Matched pension contributions up to 7%,
• Holiday trading

How to Apply

To apply for this role, submit your CV via the application form provided. Alternatively, to speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity, please contact Louise Quinn at Honeycomb Jobs.

Disclaimer

If you have a disability which means you require assistance at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us directly to discuss. Honeycomb is committed to providing equality of opportunity to all. Please note, we are receiving an exceptionally high number of applications and may be unable to shortlist candidates who do not meet the specific requirements for this role. Due to the volume of applications, we may be unable to provide individual feedback. We thank you in advance for your understanding.