Chief Legal Officer

Chief Legal Officer | General Counsel | Legal Director

In-House Legal & Recoveries - Specialist Lending / Asset Finance

East Midlands HQ | Hybrid Working (1-2 days office)

c. £120,000 - £150,000 + Bonus + LTIP + Car Allowance + Benefits

About the Role

We are recruiting a commercially astute Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to join a high-growth, independent finance group. This in-house legal leadership role offers genuine boardroom impact, leading legal, litigation, and recoveries operations in a regulated lending environment.

As CLO, you will oversee legal disputes, regulatory compliance, collections strategy, and commercial contract negotiation. The role is hybrid with 1-2 days/week in the East Midlands HQ, ideal for a Senior Associate, Legal Director, or Partner ready to transition into a strategic in-house legal role.

This is a rare opportunity to move from private practice into a full executive leadership role - without billing targets, and with the influence to shape legal policy, recoveries, and board decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead all legal and commercial dispute matters, litigation strategy, and contract reviews.
2. Oversee internal collections and recoveries teams, including End of Term operations.
3. Chair the Impairments Committee and report key risk insights to the executive team.
4. Develop and implement legal frameworks for asset recoveries, defaults, and loan enforcement.
5. Negotiate and advise on finance agreements, trading contracts, and lender partnerships.
6. Manage relationships with external legal advisors, compliance, and regulatory bodies.

Ideal Candidate Profile

1. Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 7+ PQE.
2. Background in commercial litigation/credit litigation, banking & finance disputes, or regulated lending related to finance agreements including defaults.
3. Current or recent experience as a Partner, Senior Associate, or Legal Director.
4. Proven experience in credit litigation, contract enforcement, legal recoveries, and asset finance.
5. Experience advising on FCA, FLA, or NACFB-regulated environments is a strong advantage.
6. Confident communicator and advisor to the Board, CEO, and Executive stakeholders.
7. Experience leading or managing legal, risk, or collections teams.

Why Apply?

1. Board-level influence in a growing, agile finance group.
2. Career-defining move for a commercial legal leader.
3. No billing targets. Clear work/life balance.
4. Hybrid working - just 1-2 days per week onsite.
5. Strong total package: Base up to £150k + Bonus + LTIP + Car Allowance.
6. Culture focused on outcomes, not hours.

Apply Now

To apply or find out more, send your CV quoting Ref LX (phone number removed)