Principal Recruitment Consultant (Legal, Compliance & Financial Crime)

Principal Recruitment Consultant – Legal, Compliance & Financial Crime

About the Role

We are looking for an ambitious, commercially driven Principal Recruitment Consultant to take ownership of a specialist recruitment desk within the legal, compliance and financial crime markets.

This opportunity is suited to an established 360 recruiter with a strong personal billing track record, proven business development ability and the confidence to build and grow a successful desk. You will work with UK and US law firms, placing specialist compliance and financial crime professionals into client organisations.

You will be responsible for the full recruitment lifecycle, from identifying and winning new clients through to headhunting, assessing and placing high-calibre candidates. This is a client-facing, relationship-driven role for someone who understands the commercial side of recruitment and wants to take their desk to the next level.

You will have the autonomy to develop your market, build long-term client partnerships and implement a strategy that drives sustainable growth, supported by a strong internal team, modern recruitment technology and a competitive commission structure.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Client Management

• Proactively identify, approach and win new clients across the legal, compliance and financial crime markets.
  

• Build and develop relationships with UK and US law firms, hiring managers and senior stakeholders.
  

• Identify opportunities to expand existing accounts, secure new job orders and establish preferred supplier relationships.
  

• Develop a clear business development strategy to grow your desk, increase market share and generate consistent revenue.
  

• Conduct consultative client meetings, understand hiring requirements and advise on talent availability, salary expectations and market conditions.
  

• Take ownership of personal billing targets, new business generation and overall desk performance.
  

Candidate Attraction & Recruitment Delivery

• Build a strong network of candidates within the legal, compliance and financial crime markets.
  

• Proactively headhunt and engage high-calibre professionals, including passive candidates.
  

• Manage the full recruitment lifecycle, from briefing and candidate sourcing through to interviews, offers and placements.
  

• Conduct in-depth candidate interviews, assess suitability and prepare high-quality candidate profiles for clients.
  

• Manage client and candidate relationships throughout the process, providing regular communication and feedback.
  

• Negotiate offers, manage counter-offers and support successful placements through to their start dates.
  

Desk Development & Market Strategy

• Take full ownership of your desk, identifying opportunities to grow your client base and candidate network.
  

• Develop a targeted market strategy and use market mapping and competitor research to identify new business opportunities.
  

• Monitor personal performance, billing figures and business development activity to maximise revenue.
  

• Maintain accurate records within the CRM/ATS and follow established recruitment processes.
  

• Contribute to team knowledge sharing and best practice.
  

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• A minimum of 3 years' experience in 360 agency recruitment, with a demonstrable track record of personal billings.
  

• Able to provide clear examples of personal billing performance, including billing figures achieved over a defined period and evidence of consistently meeting or exceeding targets.
  

• A proven ability to win new clients, generate vacancies and develop lasting commercial relationships.
  

• Experience recruiting within legal, compliance, financial crime, KYC or a closely related professional services market is essential. (Non negotiable)
  

• Experience working with UK and/or US clients is highly desirable.
  

• A commercially minded recruiter who understands how to build, develop and grow a profitable desk.
  

• Excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage senior client stakeholders.
  

• A polished, professional and consultative approach to client and candidate management.
  

• Resilience, tenacity and a strong sense of personal accountability.
  

• A proactive, strategic mindset and the motivation to achieve ambitious billing targets.
  

• Confidence using LinkedIn Recruiter, job boards and CRM/ATS systems.
  

The Ideal Candidate

You are an established recruiter who takes pride in your billings and knows how to generate business rather than relying solely on inbound vacancies. You are confident building relationships, comfortable approaching new clients and motivated by the opportunity to grow a specialist desk.

You demonstrate commitment, resilience and a strong work ethic, and you enjoy working towards challenging commercial goals. You may have a background in competitive sport or another environment that has developed your discipline, determination and ability to perform under pressure.

This is an opportunity for a proven biller who wants the autonomy to build something substantial, develop a specialist market and be rewarded for their performance.

Benefits

• Basic salary of R35,000–R50,000 per month, depending on experience.
  

• Competitive commission structure with earning potential linked to performance.
  

• Remote working from South Africa.
  

• Opportunity to build and grow a specialist recruitment desk with significant scope for commercial development.