At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and drive performance in a dynamic law firm environment.
- Company: Join Lawfront, a growing group of top regional law firms in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for ambitious individuals looking to grow with us.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial performance and growth in a respected firm.
- Qualifications: Professional finance qualification and experience in a partnership or professional services environment.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Head of Finance is a senior, commercially minded finance professional who works closely with the Managing Partner, senior firm leadership & Group CFO to drive financial performance and bottom-line growth. Acting as a strategic partner, this role provides insight, analysis, challenge and support to practice heads and legal departments to help them improve profitability, efficiency and long-term sustainability.
This is a pivotal position that combines Head of Finance level responsibilities, strategic business partnering, and day-to-day management (within a group matrix reporting structure) of a local finance team. You will play an essential role in supporting the firm’s performance, informing decision-making, and driving sustainable growth.
Working alongside the Group Head of Legal Accounts, the Head of Finance ensures that financial data is translated into clear actions that strengthen the firm’s performance, support decision-making and enhance partner accountability.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Financial Partnering
- Act as the primary financial advisor to the Managing Partner and the senior leadership group.
- Provide high-quality commercial insight, identifying trends, opportunities and risks across the firm.
- Support and influence strategic planning, including long-term financial modelling and scenario analysis.
- Translate complex financial data into clear recommendations and business cases.
- Firm Financial Reporting & Control
- Oversee all aspects of the finance function, ensuring robust financial control, compliance, and reporting.
- Oversee the preparation and review of monthly management accounts, statutory accounts & statutory audit.
- Monitor performance, productivity, realisation and profitability & all firm-wide KPIs, fee-earner performance, matter profitability, and utilisation metrics.
- Analyse and explain drivers of performance variance (e.g., utilisation, leverage, recovery, matter mix).
- Lead regular financial review meetings with practice groups to drive accountability and commercial awareness.
- Provide coaching & support to the partner group & heads of department on financial management & performance, pricing, fee structures, margin improvement and cashflow management.
- Budgeting, Forecasting & MI Development
- Lead annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting cycles across the firm, providing input and insight to the Lawfront Group Head of Financial Performance & Analysis.
- Develop forward-looking MI and dashboards that support decision-making at partner and board level.
- Improve financial reporting processes to deliver timely, reliable and insightful information.
- Profitability, Pricing & Financial Modelling
- Lead profitability improvement initiatives across sectors, teams and matter types.
- Support alternative fee arrangements (AFAs), fixed fee pricing and framework agreements.
- Evaluate investment opportunities, new hires, office expansion, and major operational initiatives.
- Operational & Strategic Projects
- Lead or support cross-firm projects related to efficiency, cost control, systems optimisation and process redesign.
- Play a significant role in system migration or PMS transformation projects, ensuring financial processes and reporting align with future operating models.
- Support partner remuneration processes, KPIs and performance metrics.
- Evaluate M&A opportunities, integration plans, and post-merger performance.
- Collaboration with the Group Head of Legal Accounts
- Ensure aligned financial controls, policies and reporting across the finance team.
- Work with the Group Legal Accounts Manager & Legal Accounts/Credit Control function to ensure financial integrity, compliance and accurate data foundations, improve lock-up, realisation rates, billing cycles and working capital performance.
- Leadership
- Lead, develop and mentor the local finance team.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Promote strong communication between finance and the wider business in particular the Partners and Heads of Department.
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Professional qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
- Proven experience in a professional services or partnership environment (legal sector experience highly desirable).
- Proven experience providing financial insight and challenge to senior stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence partners and senior leaders.
- Ability to drive performance improvement and lead cross-functional initiatives.
Desirable
- Prior exposure to partner-level remuneration or performance frameworks.
- Advanced analytical skills and strong financial modelling expertise.
- Deep understanding of revenue cycles, pricing models, utilisation and profitability in a people-driven business.
Why Lawfront?
Lawfront is a national group of leading regional law firms dedicated to delivering comprehensive legal support to individuals and businesses nationwide. Committed to strategic growth, we are aiming to build a group in the top 10 of UK regional law firms. As Lawfront grows, so do the opportunities for our colleagues and we are recruiting individuals with ambition and drive to join the Lawfront team and support our dynamic growth plans. This role offers exciting career development opportunities with an industry pioneer alongside the competitive package and benefits that you’d expect from a group of national scale.
What We Offer
- A leadership role with real influence in a respected law firm.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Supportive and collaborative culture.
- Career development within a wider group structure.
Locations
Head of Finance in Allington, Kent employer: Lawfront
Lawfront is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in the legal tech sector. Located in the vibrant Leigh Woods, employees benefit from a dynamic work culture that encourages professional growth and development, alongside a commitment to meaningful projects that transform legal services. With a focus on teamwork and open communication, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact while enjoying a supportive and engaging workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Allington, Kent
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Lawfront. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Allington, Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Lawfront.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Lawfront's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lawfront
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Lawfront.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Lawfront will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Lawfront employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
