Head of Client Money (6m FTC)

Head of Client Money (6m FTC)

Temporary 70000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Lawhive

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in managing client money processes and ensure compliance with regulations.
  • Company: Join Lawhive, one of Europe’s fastest-growing startups with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 33 days of annual leave, equity options, and a top-spec Macbook.
  • Other info: Work remotely for a month and participate in regular team-building activities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of legal finance in a tech-enabled environment while mentoring a high-performing team.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in legal finance with strong leadership and compliance expertise.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 100000 £ per year.

Location: London/Hybrid - 3 days per week on-site

Salary: £70,000 - £100,000

About the Role

We’re looking for an interim strategic, detail-oriented Head Legal Cashier for a six month fixed term contract. Reporting directly to the Head of Compliance you’ll take full ownership of all client money processes, manage a growing team, and ensure our systems, policies, and platform meet and exceed regulatory requirements. You’ll be a key voice in shaping how we integrate client money into the Lawhive platform, ensuring compliance with SRA regulations, embedding best practices, and driving operational excellence across the business. You’ll also play a critical leadership role in mentoring your team and building a high‑performing finance function that supports Lawhive’s continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

  • Team Leadership & Development
    • Manage and grow a high‑performing client money team, leading by example and setting clear standards and expectations
    • Oversee team workload and task prioritisation, ensuring timely delivery of business needs with a strong sense of urgency
    • Mentor team members and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement
  • Compliance & Regulatory Excellence
    • Ensure full compliance with SRA Accounts Rules, leveraging in-depth knowledge of SRA reconciliations and reporting requirements
    • Develop, implement, and maintain robust financial policies, procedures, and controls
    • Set the benchmark for legal cashiering excellence across Lawhive and roll this out business‑wide
    • Maintain oversight of Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) policies and procedures
  • Platform Integration & Process Improvement
    • Act as the key partner in integrating client money processes into the Lawhive platform
    • Identify gaps and clearly communicate platform changes required to ensure compliance and operational efficiency
    • Collaborate closely with product and operations teams to prioritise and implement system improvements
    • Drive continuous enhancement of client money operations through technology and process optimisation

What We’re Looking For

Essential Experience & Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in legal finance, client money, or legal cashiering, with demonstrated team leadership
  • Deep knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules, with a proven track record in SRA reconciliations and reporting
  • Strong experience creating and implementing policies and procedures, particularly around AML compliance

Skills & Attributes

  • Proven ability to lead teams through periods of growth and change while maintaining operational excellence
  • Comfortable identifying problems and opportunities, and clearly articulating what's needed to improve systems and platforms
  • Highly organised and detail‑driven, with the ability to manage multiple priorities with speed and accuracy
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across technical and non‑technical stakeholders
  • Growth mindset and genuine enthusiasm for helping to shape the future of legal finance in a tech‑enabled environment
  • Collaborative working style with the ability to work effectively across product, operations, and finance teams

Benefits

  • Meaningful early‑stage equity at one of Europe’s fastest growing startups
  • 33 days’ annual leave (25 + bank holidays) plus your birthday off
  • Work from anywhere for a month
  • Pension contribution via Nest
  • Top‑spec Macbook
  • Regular team building activities and socials

Diversity at Lawhive

We’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive team. As we scale, we’ll increase our focus on diversity and inclusion.

Head of Client Money (6m FTC) employer: Lawhive

At Lawhive, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters growth and innovation. With a commitment to employee development, you will have the opportunity to lead a high-performing team while enjoying generous benefits such as 33 days of annual leave, meaningful equity in a rapidly growing startup, and a flexible working environment. Join us in shaping the future of legal finance in a tech-enabled setting, where your contributions will be valued and recognised.

Lawhive

Contact Details:

Lawhive Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Client Money (6m FTC)

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal finance world and let them know you're on the hunt for a new role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities that aren't advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in client money processes. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and driven operational excellence in previous roles. This is key for a position like Head of Client Money!

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Lawhive.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Client Money (6m FTC)

Team Leadership
Client Money Management
SRA Accounts Rules Knowledge
SRA Reconciliations
Policy Development
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance
Process Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Client Money role. Highlight your experience in legal finance and team leadership, and don’t forget to mention your knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules. We want to see how you can bring your expertise to our team!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved processes in the past. We love a good story that showcases your skills!

Showcase Your Compliance Knowledge:Since compliance is key for this position, make sure to highlight your understanding of SRA regulations and AML policies. We’re looking for someone who can ensure we meet and exceed these requirements, so let us know how you’ve done this before!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you don’t miss out on any updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lawhive

Know Your Numbers

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules and client money processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in SRA reconciliations and reporting. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the regulations, but that you can apply them effectively.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare to talk about your experience in managing and developing teams. Think of specific instances where you’ve led a team through change or growth, and how you fostered a culture of excellence. Highlight your mentoring style and how you set clear standards for your team.

Be a Problem Solver

Demonstrate your ability to identify gaps and propose solutions. Come prepared with examples of how you've improved processes or systems in previous roles. This will show that you’re proactive and can drive operational excellence, which is key for this role.

Communicate Effectively

Practice articulating complex ideas in a way that’s easy to understand for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Good communication is crucial, especially when collaborating with product and operations teams. Be ready to discuss how you’ve influenced others in your previous roles.