Residential Conveyancing Manager in York

Our multi-office York-based client is seeking an experienced Residential Conveyancing Manager to lead a busy residential property team. The successful candidate will manage a team of fee earners and support staff, oversee a varied caseload from instruction to completion, ensure consistently high standards of client care and compliance, and drive continuous improvement in processes, systems and service delivery. This role offers strong opportunities for leadership, professional development and involvement in strategic projects across the property team.

Hybrid, 2-3 days in office

• Lead and manage the residential conveyancing team, providing coaching, supervision and workload allocation to ensure efficient case progression and high-quality client service.
• Own responsibility for end-to-end management of complex and high-value residential files, ensuring matters progress to key milestones and issues are escalated and resolved promptly.
• Maintain oversight of case management and file compliance, ensuring accurate electronic and paper file maintenance, clear case notes, and adherence to firm procedures and regulatory requirements including AML and client identification checks.
• Implement and monitor key performance indicators and service standards for the team; identify and address bottlenecks to maintain throughput and improve turnaround times.
• Liaise with clients, estate agents, mortgage lenders, surveyors and other third parties to manage expectations, negotiate timescales and resolve transactional issues in a professional manner.
• Oversee preparation and quality-checking of pre-completion documentation, completion statements and post-completion registration with HM Land Registry including use of digital submission processes; manage follow-up on requisitions on title.
• Manage billing processes for the team, ensure accurate time recording, review costs and disbursements and support fee earners with billing queries to optimise realisation and cashflow.
• Drive continuous improvement by reviewing and updating templates, checklists and workflows; champion adoption of conveyancing technology and digital tools to enhance efficiency and reduce risk.
• Recruit, coach and develop team members; deliver training and inductions and foster a collaborative, client-focused culture that maintains confidentiality and professional standards.
• Provide regular reporting to senior management on team performance, compliance matters and risk issues; contribute to strategic planning for the property practice.

• 5 years PQE with proven experience managing a residential conveyancing team within a law firm or conveyancing practice, with demonstrable success in team leadership and delivery of service targets.
• Strong technical knowledge of residential property transactions including sales, purchases, remortgages and transfers of equity; familiarity with HM Land Registry processes and digital submissions is essential.
• Sound understanding of compliance obligations, including AML, client identity checks and file audit requirements, with experience implementing and monitoring controls.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage multiple complex files and competing demands while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a professional manner when dealing with clients, fee earners and external stakeholders; ability to negotiate and resolve issues effectively.
• Commercial awareness with experience of managing billing, fee recovery and productivity; numeracy and accuracy in preparing completion figures and statements.
• Proactive and solutions-focused approach with the ability to lead change, promote best practice and embed new systems and processes.
• High level of digital literacy including Microsoft Office and experience of legal case management and conveyancing software; willingness to evaluate and implement technology improvements.
• Relevant professional qualifications or evidence of continuous professional development within residential property law desirable.