Head of Private Client

5 days ago

Harrow UK, United Kingdom Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Full time £80,000 - £100,000 per year

Job Description
Head of Private Client
Salary: £80,000–£100,000 + Bonus
Location: North West London 
 
Take the reins of a successful Private Client department and shape its next phase of growth.
 
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced Private Client Solicitor to step into a Head of Department role, lead a close-knit team, and work with high-net-worth and entrepreneurial clients on complex estate, tax, and succession planning – all within a supportive, forward-thinking firm.
The Opportunity
Our client is a well-established, progressive law firm based in North West London, with a strong reputation for high-quality Private Client work. You will lead the Private Client department, drive its strategic direction, and play a key role in business development, while maintaining a high-calibre caseload of complex matters.
 
You'll have genuine influence, visibility with the partnership, and a clear route to further progression as the department continues to grow.
Key Responsibilities
Department Leadership & Strategy
  • Head the Private Client Department, overseeing day-to-day operations and workflow
  • Set and deliver the department's growth strategy, including business development and client acquisition
  • Mentor, guide and develop a small, experienced team (Acting Head/Solicitor, Paralegal, Legal Secretary)
  • Work closely with the partners on departmental budgeting, targets and long-term planning
Complex Private Client Work
You will manage a high-quality, often complex caseload, including:
  • Complex wills and estate planning
  • Trust creation and administration
  • Probate and estate administration, including taxable and high-value estates
  • Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Asset protection and succession planning for business owners, entrepreneurial families and HNWIs
  • Cross-working with other departments where appropriate (e.g. corporate/commercial, property, tax)
Client Relationship Management
  • Build and maintain long-term relationships with high-net-worth clients and professional referrers
  • Provide clear, commercially aware advice tailored to clients' personal and business interests
  • Represent the firm at networking events, seminars and client meetings to enhance the department's profile
What We're Looking For
  • At least 6 years' PQE in Private Client work, gained in a reputable UK law firm
  • Strong technical expertise in:
    • Wills and complex estate planning
    • Probate and estate administration (including taxable estates)
    • Trust creation and administration
    • Lasting Powers of Attorney
  • Excellent drafting skills and a high standard of written and verbal communication
  • Confident client care, with the ability to build rapport and trust with HNW and ultra-HNW clients
  • Commercial mindset with a proactive, solutions-focused approach
  • Proven ability or clear potential to lead a team and contribute to departmental strategy
  • STEP qualification (completed or close to completion) is highly desirable
You will thrive in this role if you:
  • Are strategic, ambitious and collaborative
  • Want to shape the future of a growing Private Client department
  • Enjoy working with entrepreneurial families, business owners and HNWIs on complex estate and tax planning
  • Want your ideas to be heard and your contribution genuinely recognised
Salary, Benefits & Working Arrangements
  • Salary: £80,000–£100,000 per annum (depending on experience), plus performance-related bonus
  • Location: North West London, easily commutable from central London and surrounding areas
  • Working pattern: Hybrid working available (typically office-based core days with flexibility by agreement)
  • Benefits include:
    • Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
    • Contributory pension scheme
    • Discretionary bonus linked to individual and departmental performance
    • Professional development support, including STEP and other relevant qualifications
    • Clear progression pathway, with genuine scope to develop your leadership role as the department grows
    • Supportive, collegiate culture with a focus on quality, client service and work-life balance
(Exact benefits can be discussed in more detail at interview.)
Career Progression
This is a key strategic hire for our client. For the right person, there is:
  • A defined route for further progression, with increasing responsibility and influence
  • The opportunity to build and shape the team around you as the department grows
  • The chance to become a go-to adviser for high-value, complex Private Client work within the firm and wider market
How to Apply
To discuss this Head of Private Client opportunity in confidence, or to request a full job description, please contact:
 
Mara Watson – Legal Recruitment Consultant
Email: m.-
 
Please send your CV outlining your relevant experience. All applications will be handled with the strictest confidence.

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment. We treat all applications in the strictest confidence and will only share your details with our client once we have discussed the role with you and obtained your explicit consent.

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