Our client is an established, leading Barristers’ Chambers that has been in practice for over 125 years. Chambers has over sixty members, including 15 King’s Counsel, all of whom are well known for their work in planning, property, public law, local government, housing, community care, licensing, regulatory law, and commercial matters, advising private and public sector clients. Its friendly team of staff are dedicated to providing high standards of service for clients and members.
Chambers seeks to appoint a highly suitable candidate to this senior leadership position. Leading Chambers’ highly regarded practice management team, the successful candidate will play a key role in developing client relations, business development initiatives, and practice development for members.
The Role
As Practice Director, you will be a key member of Chambers’ Senior Management Team, playing an integral role in managing the practice management function and supporting the broader growth of Chambers. You will lead a high-performing team, working closely with the CEO and Heads of Chambers to ensure the continued delivery of a first-class service to both barrister members and clients.
Suitable applicants will ideally combine a traditional clerking background with a modern approach to strategic business development, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and client care. This is a hands-on leadership role where contributions will be crucial to the ongoing success of Chambers.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Business Development: Contribute to Chambers’ growth through strategic business development, identifying opportunities, new work streams, and promoting the practices of all members
- Strategic Growth: Actively supporting this essential function, you will also lead on recruitment
- Team Leadership: Lead and mentor the practice management team, ensuring high performance and a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement and development
- Client Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, identifying their needs and ensuring exceptional service delivery
- Fee Management: Negotiate fees, develop pricing strategies, and ensure maximum efficiency and profitability across Chambers’ practice areas
- Process Improvement: Review and implement best practices to ensure that the practice management processes are maintained to the highest possible level
- Wellbeing and Diversity: Promote a positive and inclusive working environment, supporting the well-being of staff and barristers
The Ideal Candidate
Chambers is seeking a dynamic, experienced individual who thrives in a leadership role and has the following skills:
Essential
- Experience in managing a team and contributing to strategic decision-making in a similarly successful chambers
- Demonstrable track record in business development, client relationship management and development
- Proven practice management skills, with the ability to review and implement new processes, if required
- Experience in training and mentoring a team to enhance performance and support individual growth
- Innovative and strategic, business mindset
- Understanding of Chambers’ core practice areas
Personal Attributes:
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills
- The ability to handle challenging conversations with tact and professionalism
- Detail-oriented with the ability to think strategically and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- High levels of professionalism, confidentiality, and discretion
- A commitment to promoting fairness, equality, and diversity within Chambers
A detailed Candidate Brief is available upon request.
How to Apply
To apply for the role, please forward your CV, which must clearly identify your suitability for the role, to exclusively retained consultants GRL Legal.
The deadline for applications is 5 pm on Friday 15 August, although early applications are encouraged, and initial GRL interviews with suitable candidates will take place immediately.
Equality & Diversity Statement
Our client is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to diversity among its staff and members. We therefore encourage and welcome applications from women, people of minority ethnic origin, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ candidates, as well as candidates from other groups who are underrepresented in the legal sector.
