At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic legal team providing expert litigation services in housing management.
- Company: Join NHG, a forward-thinking organisation committed to social housing and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values equality and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in housing law while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years PQE and strong housing law expertise.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
As the Head of Legal (Litigation), you will lead a multi‑disciplinary legal function within NHG’s newly centralised Legal Services team, delivering expert and customer‑focused litigation services across housing management, landlord and tenant matters, income collection, and debt recovery. You will act as a trusted legal adviser to senior stakeholders, providing authoritative guidance on complex housing litigation matters including disrepair claims, anti‑social behaviour, tenancy enforcement, service charge disputes, arrears possession proceedings, leasehold disputes, and debt recovery. Your leadership will ensure that NHG maintains high standards of compliance, governance, risk management, and operational effectiveness across all areas of litigation. Reporting into the Director of Legal, you’ll lead and develop a high‑performing team of solicitors, paralegals, and legal administrators, driving a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and service excellence.
How you’ll do it
- Lead the provision of legal advice and litigation support across housing management and landlord and tenant matters, including disrepair, ASB, tenancy fraud, injunctions, leasehold disputes, and breach of tenancy cases.
- Oversee all debt recovery litigation activity across the organisation, including arrears possession claims and related enforcement actions.
- Manage and supervise a specialist legal team, ensuring high‑quality legal services are delivered efficiently and compliantly.
- Ensure appropriate legal work is undertaken in‑house where cost‑effective, including drafting pleadings, claim forms, witness statements, and legal documentation.
- Develop and improve legal processes, procedures, and governance arrangements to ensure effective and compliant service delivery.
- Manage relationships with external solicitors and barristers, ensuring value for money and strong performance management.
- Deliver legal training and guidance to operational colleagues, supporting teams to proactively manage housing law and debt recovery matters.
- Horizon scan legislative and regulatory developments relating to housing law and litigation, ensuring stakeholders remain informed of emerging risks and changes.
- Monitor team caseloads, KPIs, and reporting requirements to ensure performance standards are achieved.
- Provide senior‑level legal advice and support to colleagues and stakeholders across NHG.
The ideal candidate
- Qualified Solicitor of England and Wales with a valid Practising Certificate.
- Minimum 5 years PQE.
- Experience working within a social housing legal department, housing association, local authority, or private practice environment.
- Expert knowledge of housing law, landlord and tenant legislation, debt recovery, and litigation processes.
- Strong leadership and people‑management experience.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience managing complex legal caseloads within a fast‑paced environment.
- Strong understanding of risk‑management and compliance frameworks.
- Proficiency using legal databases, case‑management systems, and Microsoft Office.
- Ability to provide strategic, pragmatic, and resident‑focused legal advice.
What’s in it for you?
- Excellent annual leave allowance and flexible working opportunities (qualifying period may apply).
- Generous pension scheme.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay in addition to statutory entitlements (qualifying period may apply).
- Employee assistance – free confidential advice and counselling services provided by independent specialist organisations.
- Health cash plan.
- Staff discounts – access to discounts at hundreds of major retailers, gyms, restaurants, entertainment, days out, insurance, and much more.
- Interest‑free loans – season ticket loan, tenancy deposit loan, and training loan.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- Life Assurance four times the annual salary.
Equality and diversity statement
We welcome applications from everyone. We actively monitor the diversity of our workforce and strive to show equal representation throughout all levels of the organisation. We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Disability Confident employer amongst other diversity commitments.
Head of Legal - Litigation employer: Notting Hill Genesis Group
NHG is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a supportive work culture where collaboration and continuous improvement are at the forefront. With generous benefits such as flexible working opportunities, a robust pension scheme, and access to various discounts, NHG fosters an inclusive environment that values diversity and encourages all employees to thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact in the community.
Contact Details:
Notting Hill Genesis Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Legal - Litigation
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in housing law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current housing legislation and litigation processes. We want you to be the go-to expert in the room, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've managed teams and improved processes in previous roles. We love hearing about your experiences that demonstrate your ability to drive a culture of excellence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who align with our values.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Legal - Litigation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in housing law and litigation. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the Head of Legal role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Showcase Leadership Skills:As a leader, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to manage and develop a team. Share examples of how you've successfully led legal teams in the past, focusing on collaboration and continuous improvement. We love seeing candidates who can inspire others!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to convey your thoughts, and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and understand!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Notting Hill Genesis Group
✨Know Your Housing Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of housing law, landlord and tenant legislation, and litigation processes. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or scenarios that demonstrate your expertise in these areas, as this will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Legal, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams, improved processes, or driven a culture of excellence in previous roles. This will help interviewers see you as a strong candidate for guiding their legal function.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Expect questions about how you would engage with senior stakeholders and manage relationships with external solicitors and barristers. Think of specific instances where you've effectively communicated complex legal advice or navigated challenging discussions, as this will demonstrate your ability to build trust and rapport.
✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss how you would approach horizon scanning for legislative changes and emerging risks in housing law. Show that you can think strategically about compliance and risk management, and provide examples of how you've proactively addressed these issues in the past.
