Practice & Compliance Manager in London

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Practice & Compliance Manager to join our growing law firm. This is a senior operational role responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the practice, maintaining regulatory compliance, supporting management, and driving high standards across the business. This is an excellent opportunity for a strong legal operations professional who understands the demands of a busy law firm environment and can combine compliance knowledge with practical leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operational management of the firm across all departments and offices, ensuring efficient and compliant practice management.
• Lead and monitor the firm’s regulatory compliance framework, including policies, procedures, controls, and risk management systems.
• Work closely with the Solicitors Regulation Authority regulatory requirements and support the firm’s compliance obligations at all times.
• Provide operational support to the firm’s COLP and COFA, assisting with monitoring, reporting, investigations, and remedial actions where required.
• Maintain compliance calendars, regulatory deadlines, file review programmes, internal audits, breach registers, complaints logs, and risk registers.
• Assist in ensuring compliance with accounts procedures, client money controls, confidentiality, data protection, AML procedures, and wider regulatory responsibilities.
• Work closely with Directors, department heads, HR, accounts, reception, and IT teams to ensure joined‑up management systems.
• Supervise administrative and support staff functions to maintain efficient client service and internal performance standards.
• Manage complaints handling procedures, client care standards, service reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate staff onboarding, inductions, compliance training, training records, policy implementation, and internal communications.
• Identify operational, regulatory, financial, and reputational risks and recommend practical solutions.
• Support recruitment, staffing structure planning, performance processes, and workforce coordination where required.
• Assist with strategic projects, office systems, supplier management, accreditations, and business growth initiatives.
• Prepare reports, management information, and updates for Directors on compliance, operations, and performance matters.

Candidate Profile

• Previous experience in a law firm management, compliance, operations, or practice management role.
• Strong understanding of legal practice compliance and regulatory standards.
• Excellent organisational and leadership skills.
• Confident dealing with senior stakeholders and multiple departments.
• Strong problem-solving ability with a hands‑on approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast‑paced legal environment.
• Experience with case management systems, HR systems, and reporting tools desirable.

Desirable

• Experience as Practice Manager / Compliance Manager / Operations Manager within a UK law firm.
• Familiarity with Lexcel / CQS / internal audit environments and SRA Compliance.

What We Offer

• Senior leadership opportunity within an established and growing firm.
• Supportive management team.
• Opportunity to make a real operational impact.
• Career progression for the right candidate.