Private Wealth Legal Director

Private Wealth Legal Director

Full-Time 85000 - 110000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Trades Workforce Solutions

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a top Private Wealth team, managing complex estates and driving business development.
  • Company: Join a prestigious law firm recognised for excellence in private client services.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and comprehensive professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth and networking opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact with high net worth clients in an award-winning team.
  • Qualifications: STEP qualified with 8+ years in private wealth and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 85000 - 110000 £ per year.

Salary: £85,000-£110,000

Work Location: Leeds (Hybrid Working Supported)

Join one of the largest Private Wealth teams in Yorkshire as Legal Director and help drive the continued expansion of a practice that has been named National Private Client Team of the Year 2025 and Best Private Client Team at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2024.

Are you a STEP qualified Private Wealth specialist with at least 8 years' experience ready to take on a leadership role with high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients? This exceptional opportunity offers the chance to manage complex, high-value estates whilst leading strategic business development initiatives within an award-winning, nationally recognised team.

The Opportunity

  • Leadership role within one of Yorkshire's largest private wealth teams
  • High-value, complex work with high net worth and ultra-high net worth clients
  • Strategic business development responsibilities and team supervision
  • Cross-border expertise with international structures and complex family arrangements

Your Responsibilities

  • Complex caseload management: manage a broad and varied caseload including Wills, succession planning, IHT planning, and Trusts
  • Estate administration: handle Administration of Estates and Lasting Powers of Attorney for high-value, complex matters
  • High net worth advisory: advise high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals and business owners
  • International structures: manage clients with cross-border issues and complex international structures
  • Complex estates: handle deceased estates that are regularly high value and complex in nature
  • Contentious administration: act as independent administrator of highly contentious estates with complex family dynamics
  • Business development: take responsibility for strategic business development initiatives and client relationship management
  • Team leadership: supervise and mentor team members with complex caseloads and provide technical guidance
  • Learning & development: lead on learning and development initiatives within the team
  • Strategic projects: participate in firm-wide projects and strategic initiatives beyond day‐to‐day legal work

Essential Requirements

  • Minimum 8 years' relevant experience as a solicitor or legal executive in private wealth
  • STEP qualification essential (alternative qualifications/experience considered in exceptional cases)
  • High net worth client experience working with high and ultra‐high net worth individuals
  • Technical expertise across lifetime planning, estates, inheritance tax planning, and probate
  • Client management experience managing own clients and cases as a trusted advisor to business owners
  • Team supervision experience successfully supervising team members with complex caseloads
  • Contentious estates experience administering contentious estates and managing complex family dynamics

Highly Desirable

  • Cross-border experience with international private client matters
  • Business development capability to generate own work from existing professional connections
  • Regional or national firm experience working for highly regarded practices

Key Skills

  • Leadership abilities with proven team supervision and mentoring skills
  • Commercial mindset with strategic business development focus
  • Excellent client relationship management and advisory capabilities
  • Resilience under pressure managing contentious and complex family situations
  • Collaborative approach working autonomously and as part of a team
  • Motivated individual with drive for continued professional excellence

Comprehensive Benefits Package

  • Competitive salary: £85,000 - £110,000 per annum (market rate)
  • Performance-related bonuses and annual salary reviews
  • Comprehensive pension scheme with employer contributions
  • Professional membership fees covered including STEP membership

Work-Life Balance

  • Flexible hybrid working: 2-3 days per week from home
  • Flexible working arrangements to suit your lifestyle and client needs
  • Generous annual leave entitlement with additional days for long service

Career Development

  • Leadership development opportunities within an expanding practice
  • Comprehensive training programmes and professional development budget
  • Strategic business development involvement and client relationship ownership
  • Firm-wide project participation beyond day‐to‐day legal work
  • Mentoring opportunities for junior team members

Additional Benefits

  • Private healthcare and dental coverage
  • Life assurance and income protection
  • Employee assistance programme for wellbeing support
  • Social clubs and committees reflecting personal interests and passions
  • Networking opportunities with high net worth client base
  • Professional development including conference attendance and industry events

About Our Client

Our client is a prestigious full-service law firm with over 300 employees, home to one of the largest Private Wealth teams in Yorkshire. The team has an excellent reputation for advising individuals and has been recognised as the Best Private Client Team at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2024 and named National Private Client Team of the Year at the Modern Law Private Client Awards 2025. They are ranked Tier 2 in Legal 500 and Band 2 in Chambers UK, with particular expertise in cross-border matters and complex family arrangements.

Ready to Lead Yorkshire's Premier Private Wealth Team?

This is your opportunity to join one of Yorkshire's largest and most successful Private Wealth teams as Legal Director, working with high net worth clients whilst driving strategic business development and team leadership initiatives. Don't miss this exceptional opportunity to advance your private client career to the next level. Apply today or contact Lee for a confidential discussion about how this leadership role could accelerate your professional development.

Contact Details

Lee Hawthorne‐Finch
People and Talent Director
lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com
0333 996 2882

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

Private Wealth Legal Director employer: Trades Workforce Solutions

Join a prestigious law firm in Leeds, renowned for its award-winning Private Wealth team, where you will have the opportunity to lead and mentor while managing complex, high-value estates for high net worth clients. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and a supportive work culture, this role offers a unique chance to grow your career in a collaborative environment that values excellence and innovation.
Trades Workforce Solutions

Contact Detail:

Trades Workforce Solutions Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Private Wealth Legal Director

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the private wealth sector. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with high net worth clients and complex estates. Share specific examples of how you've managed challenging cases to demonstrate your value.

Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to firms you admire, like ours at StudySmarter, and express your interest in joining their team. A well-timed email can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 4

Prepare for interviews by researching the firm’s recent achievements and their approach to private wealth management. Tailor your responses to align with their values and goals. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their award-winning team.

We think you need these skills to ace Private Wealth Legal Director

STEP qualification
Private Wealth expertise
High net worth client experience
Complex caseload management
Estate administration
Inheritance tax planning
Trusts management
Client relationship management
Team supervision and mentoring
Contentious estates administration
Cross-border private client matters
Strategic business development
Leadership abilities
Resilience under pressure
Collaborative approach

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in private wealth law. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Legal Director, especially your expertise in managing high-value estates and advising high net worth clients.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a leadership role, don’t forget to emphasise your team supervision and mentoring experience. We’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire others, so share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past.

Highlight Business Development Experience: We love candidates who can bring in new business! Make sure to mention any strategic business development initiatives you’ve led or been part of. This will show us that you have the commercial mindset we’re after.

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with our award-winning team.

How to prepare for a job interview at Trades Workforce Solutions

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to private wealth law. Be prepared to discuss complex topics like estate administration, inheritance tax planning, and cross-border issues. This will show that you're not just qualified but also genuinely passionate about the field.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this role involves team supervision and mentoring, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight any specific initiatives you've taken to develop your team members or improve processes, as this will demonstrate your leadership capabilities.

Prepare for Client Scenarios

Think about potential scenarios involving high net worth clients and how you would handle them. Whether it's a contentious estate or a complex family dynamic, being able to articulate your approach will showcase your client management skills and strategic thinking.

Business Development Mindset

This role requires a focus on business development, so come prepared with ideas on how you could generate new work and strengthen existing client relationships. Discuss any previous experiences where you've successfully brought in new clients or expanded services for existing ones.

Private Wealth Legal Director
Trades Workforce Solutions
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