Job Description
Head of Family Department
Location: Lincolnshire / Nottinghamshire Region Multi Office Leadership RoleSalary: To £110,000 + Bonus + Strategic InfluenceContract: Permanent, Full Time
Benefits
* Senior leadership role with genuine departmental control and influence
* Lead a Family team of 7 fee earners across 8 offices
* Bonus linked to departmental and individual performance
* Flexible working across multiple offices in the region
* Direct support from HR and Marketing for recruitment, training and profile building
* Opportunity to lead the annual Legal 500 submission for Family
* Clear remit to grow the department and strengthen reputation
* High level autonomy with strong backing from senior leadership
* Structured leadership forums, including 6-monthly Head of Department meetings
* Long-term progression opportunity within a well-established firm
The opportunity
This is a genuine Head of Department appointment for an experienced Family Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with appropriate rights. The role combines technical strength with strategic leadership and operational control.
You will lead an established Family Department of 7 fee earners across 8 offices. The focus is on growth, consistency of service, technical standards, and enhancing the departments market reputation. This is not a title role. The successful candidate will own performance, people management, compliance, and profile.
Key responsibilities
Management and leadership
* Lead and manage the Family Department across 8 offices
* Supervise up to 3 individuals directly, with oversight of supervision across the wider team
* Run quarterly departmental meetings with a structured agenda
* Attend 6-monthly Head of Department meetings and contribute to wider firm strategy
* Lead recruitment and interviewing for new hires
* Manage work allocation and distribution, including starters and leavers
* Provide telephone and email support to fee earners across other offices
* Liaise with HR on employee issues, probation processes, and performance management
* Facilitate training and development, including organising webinars and external training where needed
* Promote an inclusive, professional culture across the department
Compliance, risk and quality
* Ensure precedents are compliant, up to date, and consistently applied
* Review and streamline processes and policies to improve efficiency and reduce risk
* Review high risk matters and provide technical oversight
* Ensure that supervision reviews are completed to the required standard and timeframes
* Maintain strong adherence to internal quality and risk procedures
Client work and financial performance
* Maintain and develop your own caseload of private Family matters
* Generate new work and provide an ongoing service to existing clients
* Drive cross referrals across offices and departments to strengthen workflow
* Produce fee income in line with agreed targets and objectives
* Manage financial control, including billing discipline and cash flow management
* Ensure accurate daily time recording and file management
Marketing and profile
* Attend marketing events and encourage consistent marketing activity across the department
* Liaise with Marketing on promotion of the department and reputation building
* Lead on the annual Family Team Legal 500 submission
* Build relationships internally and externally to strengthen referral flows
Requirements
* Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with appropriate practising rights
* Strong private Family experience across a broad caseload
* Proven leadership or supervision experience within a Family team
* Comfortable managing people issues in partnership with HR
* Strong commercial awareness with financial discipline around billing, time recording and cash flow
* Excellent communication skills and credibility with colleagues and clients
* Organised, proactive, and able to work to deadlines
* Professional, positive, flexible, and a strong team contributor
Apply now
If you are an experienced Family lawyer ready to lead a multi-office department and take real ownership over growth, quality and performance, apply now for a confidential discussion.
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