Head of Conveyancing in Preston

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Head of Conveyancing to lead and develop a team of 10, within an established residential property team within a multi-practice area firm specialising in property and private client. The team have working in property for almost 20 years.

This role offers the opportunity to provide strategic direction, oversee the delivery of high-quality conveyancing services and manage a varied caseload of residential property matters across the team.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise with effective leadership, supporting the team to achieve excellent client service, operational efficiency, compliance and commercial performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead, manage and develop the conveyancing team, providing clear direction, supervision, mentoring and support to solicitors, licensed conveyancers, legal executives and support staff.
• Review and maintain team workflows, processes, precedents and service standards to ensure matters progress efficiently from instruction through to completion and post-completion.
• Monitor team performance, workloads, financial targets, billing, work in progress and key performance indicators, taking appropriate action to support departmental and firm-wide objectives.
• Provide technical guidance on contracts, reports on title, leases, transfers, deeds, enquiries, replies, searches, lender requirements and other residential property documentation.
• Oversee exchange, completion and post-completion processes, ensuring contractual conditions, undertakings, lender requirements, SDLT returns and Land Registry obligations are completed accurately and within required timescales.
• Support the team in identifying and managing legal, financial, regulatory and operational risks, ensuring compliance with the SRA Standards and Regulations, anti-money laundering requirements and firm procedures.
• Manage escalated client queries and complaints professionally, maintaining strong relationships with clients, estate agents, lenders, developers, managing agents and other professional contacts.
• Work collaboratively with other departments and senior colleagues, contributing to strategic planning, recruitment, staff development and the continued improvement of the conveyancing service.

Key skills and experience:

• Qualified solicitor, licensed conveyancer or legal executive with substantial post-qualification experience in residential conveyancing (and commercial property is also desirable, but not necessarily required)
• Proven experience leading, supervising or managing a residential property team within a solicitors’ firm or comparable legal practice.
• Strong technical knowledge of residential property law, conveyancing procedures, freehold and leasehold transactions, remortgages, new-build matters, shared ownership, Land Registry requirements and SDLT processes.
• Demonstrable experience managing complex residential property transactions and providing effective technical support to colleagues.
• Commercially aware approach with experience of monitoring departmental performance, financial targets, workloads and service delivery.
• Excellent leadership, delegation, coaching and people management skills, with the ability to motivate a team and support professional development.
• Strong legal drafting, analytical, negotiation and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Client-focused and commercially minded communication style, with the ability to build trusted relationships and manage expectations effectively.
• Good understanding of legal compliance, risk management, quality standards and regulatory requirements within a conveyancing environment.