At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a Private Client department, shaping its future direction.
- Company: Well-established legal practice in Newcastle upon Tyne with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career progression, professional autonomy, and meaningful work.
- Other info: Join a dynamic environment with opportunities for strategic influence and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on client service and mentor the next generation of talent.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in Private Client law and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Lead a team. Shape a department. Make a meaningful difference. We’re delighted to be working with a well-established and highly regarded legal practice in Newcastle upon Tyne to recruit an experienced Head of Private Client to lead and develop their Private Client department. This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious Private Client lawyer who is ready to take the next step into a senior leadership position. You’ll combine your technical expertise with strong people leadership, commercial awareness and a genuine commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the future direction of the department, supporting the development of colleagues, driving operational performance and maintaining the highest standards of legal service.
The Role
- Providing strategic leadership and direction for the Private Client department.
- Managing, mentoring and developing solicitors, fee earners and support staff.
- Overseeing a varied Private Client caseload, with particular expertise in wills, probate and related matters.
- Ensuring the department delivers consistently high standards of client care and legal advice.
- Managing complex and sensitive matters where required, acting as a senior point of escalation.
- Monitoring departmental performance, workflows, financial performance and key operational metrics.
- Identifying opportunities to improve processes, efficiency and the overall client journey.
- Supporting business development and contributing to the continued growth and profile of the department.
- Working collaboratively with other departments and senior leadership to deliver wider organisational objectives.
- Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulation and professional standards.
- Supporting a culture of continuous learning, development and professional excellence.
About You
We’re looking for an experienced Private Client Solicitor or senior Private Client lawyer who is ready to take ownership of a department and make a genuine leadership impact. You’ll ideally bring:
- Significant experience across Private Client law, particularly wills and probate.
- A strong track record of managing complex matters and delivering excellent client outcomes.
- Previous experience of supervising, mentoring or managing legal professionals.
- The confidence and credibility to lead a team and influence at senior level.
- Strong commercial and operational awareness, alongside excellent technical legal knowledge.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
- A proactive approach to business development and identifying opportunities for departmental growth.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- A commitment to developing people and creating a positive, high-performing team culture.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This is more than a traditional legal leadership position. It’s an opportunity to shape the direction of an established Private Client department, develop talented professionals and make a lasting impact on the quality of service provided to clients. You’ll benefit from:
- Departmental leadership: Take ownership of the strategy, performance and development of the Private Client team.
- People development: Mentor and support experienced professionals while helping to shape the next generation of talent.
- Strategic influence: Work closely with senior leadership and play an important role in wider organisational decisions.
- Professional autonomy: Have the freedom and responsibility to identify improvements and implement meaningful change.
- Career progression: Join a senior leadership environment where your expertise and ideas can have real influence.
- Meaningful work: Continue to deliver a client-focused service that makes a genuine difference to individuals and families.
Ready for Your Next Leadership Challenge? If you’re an experienced Private Client professional who is ready to lead, develop and grow a department, we’d love to hear from you. This is an exciting opportunity to step into a senior position where you can combine legal expertise, people leadership and strategic thinking. Apply now or contact Natalie Dwan at LJ Recruitment to find out more about this Head of Private Client opportunity in Newcastle upon Tyne.
Head of Private Client employer: LJRecruitment
As a leading global law firm, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Our London-based Business Acceptance team offers a competitive salary, a hybrid working structure, and unique benefits such as subsidised dining options, making it an excellent place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the legal sector.
