Legal Director (Head of Legal - Litigation & Recoveries) in London

Legal Director (Head of Legal - Litigation & Recoveries) in London

London Full-Time 150000 - 200000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Martin Veasey Talent Solutions

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead litigation and recoveries, shaping strategies for borrower defaults and distressed exposures.
  • Company: Dynamic finance business at the forefront of legal decision-making.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, long-term incentives, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with clear accountability and opportunities for career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on financial outcomes and drive strategic decisions.
  • Qualifications: Experienced lawyer with a strong background in insolvency litigation or banking disputes.

The predicted salary is between 150000 - 200000 € per year.

An established and growing specialist finance business is seeking to appoint a senior legal professional to take ownership of litigation, recoveries and enforcement across a live lending portfolio. The organisation operates in a fast-moving, commercially driven environment where legal decisions directly influence financial outcomes. It is not a business where legal operates at a distance. Instead, it sits at the centre of decision-making, working alongside credit and finance to manage risk, protect asset value and resolve complex lending situations.

This appointment represents a key addition to the senior leadership structure, reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer. The role has been deliberately defined with clarity of focus: to lead litigation, enforcement and recoveries with accountability for outcomes, not simply advice. This opportunity arises at a point where the legal function is central to the next phase of growth, with a clear requirement for stronger ownership of litigation outcomes and recoveries performance.

The Role

This is a role for a lawyer who is comfortable operating where legal judgement and commercial reality intersect. You will take full ownership of insolvency litigation and dispute resolution across the portfolio, shaping and executing enforcement strategies in relation to borrower defaults, distressed exposures and recovery scenarios. External counsel will be engaged where appropriate, however responsibility for direction, pace and outcome will remain with you.

Alongside litigation, you will provide leadership and direction to recoveries and enforcement activity, ensuring that performance is actively managed and continuously improved. You will be expected to bring structure, discipline and commercial clarity to the way enforcement is approached, with a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes in the most efficient manner.

The role requires close engagement with internal stakeholders, particularly credit and finance, contributing directly to decision-making in time-sensitive and often complex situations. You will be expected to form clear views, provide decisive input and take responsibility for the consequences of those decisions. This is not a purely advisory position. It is a role defined by ownership, accountability and delivery.

The Individual

You are likely to be a Partner, Legal Director or senior disputes lawyer within a regional or national law firm, with a strong grounding in insolvency litigation, restructuring or banking disputes. Alternatively, you may already be operating in-house within a lending, credit or recoveries environment as Head of Legal, Legal Director or Senior Legal Counsel and are seeking a broader and more influential role.

You will have developed a reputation for sound judgement, the ability to navigate complex situations and a willingness to take responsibility for outcomes. You are commercially aware, pragmatic in your approach and comfortable operating without the safety net of purely advisory work. You are motivated not only by technical excellence, but by the opportunity to apply that expertise in a way that has direct and visible impact.

This role will appeal to individuals who want to move closer to the commercial reality of the situations they are advising on, and who are prepared to take ownership of both decisions and results.

The Environment

The business is entrepreneurial, fast-paced and outcome-focused. Decisions are made quickly and accountability is clear. There is an expectation that senior individuals will engage directly, contribute meaningfully and operate with a high degree of autonomy.

For those coming from private practice, the role offers a shift away from billing targets and time recording, without sacrificing complexity or responsibility. For those already in-house, it offers broader scope, greater ownership and closer proximity to strategic decision-making.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to step into a role where legal expertise is not peripheral but central to the success of the business. You will be responsible for shaping litigation strategy, influencing recoveries performance and contributing directly to commercial outcomes. This role is designed for individuals who wish to move beyond advisory work into a position of direct commercial influence and accountability for outcomes. Over time, there is scope for the role to evolve into a broader legal leadership position for an individual who demonstrates both capability and ambition.

The remuneration package reflects the seniority and impact of the role, with a base salary in the range of 150,000 to 200,000, together with bonus and long-term incentive arrangements.

Legal Director (Head of Legal - Litigation & Recoveries) in London employer: Martin Veasey Talent Solutions

Join a dynamic and entrepreneurial finance business in the East Midlands, where your legal expertise will be at the forefront of decision-making and directly influence financial outcomes. With a culture that values accountability and rapid decision-making, you will have the opportunity to shape litigation strategies and drive recoveries performance while enjoying a competitive salary and benefits package. This role not only offers significant ownership and impact but also provides a clear pathway for professional growth within a supportive and fast-paced environment.

Martin Veasey Talent Solutions

Contact Detail:

Martin Veasey Talent Solutions Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Legal Director (Head of Legal - Litigation & Recoveries) in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal field, especially those in litigation and recoveries. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out for informational chats. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s business model and how legal decisions impact their bottom line. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in insolvency litigation and enforcement strategies. Show them you’re not just a lawyer, but a strategic partner!

Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a thank-you email that reiterates your interest in the role and highlights a key point from your conversation. It shows professionalism and keeps you top of mind as they make their decision.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team. Let’s get you that Legal Director role!

We think you need these skills to ace Legal Director (Head of Legal - Litigation & Recoveries) in London

Insolvency Litigation
Dispute Resolution
Enforcement Strategy
Commercial Awareness
Stakeholder Engagement
Leadership
Accountability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in insolvency litigation and recoveries. We want to see how your background aligns with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!

Showcase Your Commercial Acumen:This role is all about blending legal expertise with commercial reality. Use your application to demonstrate how you've made impactful decisions in previous roles that directly influenced financial outcomes. We love a good success story!

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the best fit for this position. Remember, less is often more!

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 – just follow the prompts!

How to prepare for a job interview at Martin Veasey Talent Solutions

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid understanding of insolvency litigation and enforcement strategies. Brush up on recent cases and trends in the lending sector, as this will show your expertise and readiness to take ownership of complex situations.

Show Your Commercial Savvy

Prepare to discuss how legal decisions impact financial outcomes. Think about examples from your past where your legal judgement directly influenced a business decision, and be ready to articulate these during the interview.

Engage with Stakeholders

Since this role requires close collaboration with credit and finance teams, come prepared with ideas on how to improve communication and decision-making processes. Demonstrating your ability to work cross-functionally will highlight your fit for the role.

Emphasise Ownership and Accountability

This position is all about taking responsibility for outcomes. Be ready to share instances where you've taken charge of a project or situation, detailing how you managed risks and achieved results. This will resonate well with the company's focus on accountability.