Head of Commercial Services
Department: Executive Suite
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Derby, UK
Description
At Flint Bishop, we are entering a significant new phase of growth and transformation as we evolve from a successful regional law firm into a nationally operating legal business with ambitious long‑term growth plans through to 2030 and beyond. As part of this transition, the firm is implementing a national divisional operating structure designed to create greater scale, stronger sector alignment, and improved client delivery across all service lines.
The Head of Commercial Services will play a central leadership role in shaping and delivering that vision. Reporting directly to the CEO and forming part of the firm’s senior leadership structure, this role is responsible not only for leading a high‑performing Commercial Services division, but also for helping build a unified, scalable, and commercially driven national firm.
Success in the role over the next two to three years will include delivering significant divisional growth, strengthening national market presence, building a best‑in‑class leadership structure, improving operational scalability and profitability, and supporting the successful integration of new teams, lateral hires, and acquisitions into the wider Flint Bishop platform.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and develop all Commercial Services teams, including Commercial Litigation, Employment, Commercial Property, Corporate & Finance, Commercial Contracts, Licensing, Intellectual Property, Regulatory & Corporate Defence, Insurance Litigation, and Recoveries.
* Set and deliver a commercially focused divisional strategy aligned with the firm’s wider national growth plans and strategic objectives.
* Work closely with the CEO, COO, Head of Private Client Services, and wider Management Board to ensure the firm operates as a single, cohesive national business rather than separate parallel divisions.
* Design and implement the optimal sub‑team and leadership structure for the Commercial Services division, including recommending and developing the leadership layer beneath the divisional head.
* Ensure clients receive clear, pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice and a consistent standard of service across all Commercial Services teams nationally.
* Promote strong collaboration and cross‑referral activity between Commercial Services, Private Client Services, and central operational functions.
* Take ownership of divisional financial performance, including profitability, budgeting, utilisation, pricing strategy, operational efficiency, and sustainable revenue growth.
* Lead, mentor, and develop high‑performing teams and future leaders, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
* Identify, assess, and implement operational and process improvements to support scalability, client experience, and divisional performance.
* Ensure robust governance, compliance, quality assurance, and risk management standards are maintained across all Commercial Services functions.
* Ensure the division remains aligned with developments in legal technology, AI, and operational innovation, identifying opportunities to improve both client service delivery and internal efficiency.
MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
* Take full accountability for divisional performance against agreed financial, operational, and strategic objectives.
* Lead monthly and quarterly business reviews, presenting financial performance, KPIs, strategic progress, and operational updates to the CEO and Management Board.
* Own the creation, management, and delivery of divisional budgets and P&L performance.
* Monitor and report on key performance indicators, implementing corrective actions and performance improvement plans where required.
* Embed a culture of ownership, commerciality, innovation, and continuous improvement across all Commercial Services teams.
* Support firm‑wide strategic planning and contribute actively to Management Board and senior leadership discussions.
* Ensure leadership consistency, succession planning, and talent development across the division.
STRATEGIC GROWTH & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
* Lead and deliver the Commercial Services growth strategy, with accountability for revenue generation, market positioning, client retention, and pipeline development.
* Build and maintain senior relationships with key clients, introducers, insurers, strategic partners, and referral networks.
* Identify and pursue opportunities for lateral hires, team acquisitions, mergers, and strategic growth initiatives within the Commercial Services division, working alongside the CEO on evaluation, due diligence, onboarding, and integration activity.
* Drive cross‑selling and collaboration opportunities across all divisions and practice areas to maximise client value and firm‑wide growth.
* Identify new market opportunities, sectors, and service offerings which support the firm’s national expansion strategy.
* Promote a culture of proactive, commercially accountable business development across all Commercial Services teams.
* Report regularly to the CEO and Management Board on divisional performance, pipeline activity, growth initiatives, strategic opportunities, and financial results.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Strategic Leadership
* Act as a visible and collaborative senior leader across the national business.
* Support the delivery of the firm’s long‑term national growth strategy and operating model transformation.
* Contribute to firm‑wide decision‑making as a member of the senior leadership structure.
People Leadership
* Create a high‑performance culture built around accountability, engagement, collaboration, and development.
* Support and develop future leaders across the Private Client Services division.
* Foster strong communication and alignment across all offices and teams nationally.
Client & Market Leadership
* Maintain a strong external profile for the firm and division within the legal and private client market.
* Ensure service delivery standards remain commercially focused, scalable, and aligned with client expectations.
You will have:
* Strong leadership and operational management experience
* Excellent financial, strategic, and commercial awareness
* Effective communication and stakeholder management skills
* Ability to drive operational efficiency and organisational change
* Strong people management and team development capabilities
* Understanding of legal sector operations and compliance requirements
* Knowledge of financial management and business performance reporting
Benefits
What we offer?
* Competitive salary
* Bonus potential
* Free parking
* Life insurance
* Private medical insurance
* Income protection
* Great working environment at our Derby head offices
* Career development opportunities
* 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
* Options to buy & sell 1 week’s holiday
* 1 week’s holiday carry over
* Extra day off for your birthday
* Staff card discount scheme for local shops
* Social days and evenings on the firm
* Staff discounts on legal services
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