Head of Client Money (6m FTC) in London

Head of Client Money (6m FTC) in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Lawhive

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale client money functions while ensuring compliance and operational excellence.
  • Company: Join Lawhive, a revolutionary legal tech firm backed by top investors.
  • Benefits: Enjoy equity, 33 days annual leave, remote work options, and a top-spec Macbook.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture focused on continuous improvement and innovation.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of legal finance in a tech-driven environment with a dynamic 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 Lawhive

Our mission is to make the law accessible to everyone. The legal industry is built on technology and processes that haven’t been updated in hundreds of years - that's why we've reinvented the entire model from the ground up with our own bespoke AI operating system at the core. Lawhive is a regulated law firm with an AI-native platform built to amplify expertise and revolutionise the way people practice law, leading to exceptional outcomes for clients and lawyers.

Lawhive Labs is how we bring this vision to life. It's our frontier lab that combines top engineering, design, AI and legal talent from around the world, joining forces to build the future of law. We’re backed by top-tier investors, including Google Ventures, Balderton Capital and TQ Ventures, and in December 2024, we secured $40M Series A funding round to facilitate international expansion and to grow our team, representing one of the five largest Series A rounds in Europe for 2024. We’re headquartered in London and in 2025 successfully launched in the US…and we’re just getting started.

About the Role

We're looking for an interim strategic, detail-oriented Head Legal Cashier to lead and scale our client money function at Lawhive 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

Interview process

  • Introductory call with our Talent team
  • 1:1 with your hiring manager
  • Technical interview

We offer!

  • 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

At Lawhive we know that diversity of thought is critical to delivering outlier outcomes. As such, we’re always working hard to ensure we build a diverse, inclusive team. We’re not yet where we want to be but as we scale we’ll only ever increase the focus we apply to this.

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

At Lawhive, we are committed to revolutionising the legal industry through innovative technology and a collaborative work culture. As an employer, we offer meaningful equity in a rapidly growing startup, generous annual leave, and the flexibility to work from anywhere for a month, all while fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that prioritises employee growth and development. Join us in shaping the future of legal finance in a tech-enabled setting, where your contributions will directly impact our mission to make law accessible to everyone.

Lawhive

Contact Details:

Lawhive Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

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

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the legal finance space, especially those who work at Lawhive or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for your interviews by understanding Lawhive's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our goals, especially around compliance and operational excellence. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do!

Tip Number 3

Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up! Keep an eye on our website and apply directly through it. This shows initiative and gives you a better chance of being noticed by our hiring team.

Tip Number 4

Follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It’s a great way to reiterate your interest in the role and remind us why you’re the perfect fit for the Head of Client Money position.

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

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

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Client Money role. Highlight your experience in legal finance and team leadership, and show us how you can bring value to Lawhive's mission.

Showcase Your Compliance Knowledge:Since compliance is key for this role, emphasise your understanding of SRA Accounts Rules and any relevant experience you have with AML policies. We want to see that you can navigate the regulatory landscape effortlessly.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

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 reconciliations. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated compliance challenges or implemented financial policies.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a Head of Client Money, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor a team. Think of examples where you've fostered a culture of excellence and continuous improvement, and be ready to share how you prioritise tasks and manage workloads effectively.

Emphasise Tech Savviness

Lawhive is all about integrating client money processes into their AI-native platform. Be prepared to discuss your experience with technology in finance and how you've driven process improvements through tech solutions in previous roles.

Communicate Clearly

Strong communication skills are key for this role. Practice articulating complex financial concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. Prepare to discuss how you've influenced decisions across different teams in the past.