Contract Legal Finance Manager | £20.93-£25.29 per hour | SN in Bristol

Overview

The Company: Our client is a fast-paced, fast-growing, and forward-thinking law firm that supports high-profile clients across a range of innovative sectors. With local, national, and international reach, the firm employs over 1,800 people in offices across the UK.

The Role

On behalf of our client, we are seeking a Contract Legal Finance Manager to join the Operational Finance team on a 9-month contract. Reporting directly to the Head of Operational Finance, you will work closely with managers across all finance functions to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Billing, Credit Control, and Supplier Payments.

This role is critical in maintaining business-as-usual operations while supporting team managers as they focus on a major project to replace the current finance system.

Responsibilities will include:

• Review and approve or reject all out-of-policy travel spend and inter-office travel.
• Authorise payment runs for the Purchase Ledger team.
• Manage weekly team rotas to ensure full operational coverage.
• Update daily cashflow forecasts with expected income and expenditure.
• Complete daily bank reconciliations and post standing orders and direct debits.
• Perform and sign off monthly client account reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly statistics, KPIs, and financial control reports.
• Collate finance and risk reporting slides for partner and leadership meetings.
• Monitor third-party payor receipts and act as an escalation point.
• Oversee trust account reviews and manual reconciliations of sole accounts.
• Manage the finance ticketing system across all operational teams.
• Review the \”no chase\” debt list and oversee monthly debt provisions.
• Ensure accurate end-of-day credit control reporting.
• Handle queries relating to debt retention policies and associated reporting.
• Oversee complex billing queries, attend issue-resolution meetings, and manage month-end billing cycles, including prioritisation and resourcing.
• Oversee the e-billing ledger and attend regular meetings on e-billing performance.
• Oversee Revenue Controllers, produce monthly KPIs, and track progress against targets.

The Person

The ideal candidate will be an experienced finance professional with strong leadership skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure. You will be comfortable working with stakeholders at all levels and supporting operational teams both in person and remotely.

• Legal finance experience in a management or team leader position.
• Experience using legal finance platforms (e.g. SOS or similar).
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to coach and support a team across locations.

The Salary

£38,100 – £46,400 (£20.93 – £25,29 per hour)

The Contract

Full-time, 9-month contract.

The Hours

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

The Location

Bristol – office-based role with regular office attendance required. Candidates must live within a commutable distance