Client Inception Team Leader

Sort Legal Limited; South Shields; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ongoing training

Career progression opportunities

Job summary

Sort Legal is seeking a dedicated Client Inception Team Leader based in South Shields to oversee a small onboarding team, ensuring compliant and efficient opening of new matters. You’ll work with Senior Client Inception Executive and legal teams to maintain high service levels and exceptional client experiences.

You will manage performance, provide coaching, and handle escalations while ensuring AML/KYC and regulatory standards are met throughout the onboarding journey.

Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above).
• Experience in client onboarding, compliance, conveyancing support, customer service, or team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise a small Client Inception team; distribute workloads and ensure service levels.
• Monitor individual performance, productivity and quality across the team.
• Conduct regular one-to-ones, performance reviews and development plans.
• Train, coach and develop team members.
• Handle disciplinary, grievance and performance matters per company policy.
• Act as escalation point for client queries and onboarding complaints.
• Oversee onboarding of new clients and ensure a smooth, compliant start.
• Perform initial risk assessments, AML checks and KYC procedures.
• Ensure files are prepared and compliant before passing to legal.
• Provide proactive updates to clients and third parties throughout onboarding.
• Build relationships with introducers and third parties.
• Order searches and identification checks; manage file opening process.
• Produce reports and analyse inception data for seniors.

Skills

Client onboarding

Team leadership

Compliance

AML/KYC knowledge

Communication

Organisational skills

Regulatory knowledge

Microsoft Office

Education

GCSEs (English & Maths)

Job description

South Shields, United Kingdom | Posted on 25/06/2026

South Shields | Up to £30,000 | Full-time,Permanent

We’re looking for anorganised and people-focused Client Inception Team Leader to join thegrowing team at Sort Legal .

This is an excitingopportunity for someone with experience in client onboarding, compliance, orteam supervision to play a key role in leading our Client Inception function.You’ll be responsible for overseeing a small team, ensuring productivity and servicelevels remain high, while delivering an exceptional onboarding experience forclients.

Working closely withthe Senior Client Inception Executive and wider legal teams, you'll help ensureevery new matter is opened efficiently, compliantly, and to the higheststandard before being passed to our legal teams.

What you’ll bedoing:

• Managing and supervising a small ClientInception team, ensuring workloads are distributed effectively and servicelevels are achieved
• Monitoring individual performance,productivity, and quality standards across the team
• Assisting with regular one-to-ones,performance reviews, and annual development plans
• Supporting the training, coaching, anddevelopment of team members
• Assisting with disciplinary, grievance,and performance management matters in line with company policies
• Acting as an escalation point for clientqueries and complaints during the onboarding process
• Managing the onboarding of new clients andensuring an exceptional customer experience
• Conducting initial matter riskassessments, AML checks, and KYC procedures
• Ensuring files are fully prepared andcompliant before being passed to the legal team
• Providing proactive updates to clients andthird-party agents throughout the onboarding process
• Building and maintaining strongrelationships with introducers, agents, and other third parties
• Ordering searches, identification checks,and office copies as part of the file opening process
• Producing reports and analysing client inceptiondata for senior management and directors

Where you’ll be:

You’ll be based at our South Shields office , working as part of a collaborative and supportiveteam within one of the North East's fastest-growing legal services businesses.

The Client Inception Team plays a vital role inensuring clients receive a smooth, professional, and compliant start to theirlegal journey, making this a key position within the business.

Requirements

What we’re lookingfor:

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English andMaths, Grade 4/C or above
• Previous experience within a clientonboarding, compliance, conveyancing support, customer service, or teamleadership role
• Excellent communication and customerservice skills
• Strong organisational skills with theability to manage high volumes of work efficiently
• Ability to prioritise workloads and meetstrict deadlines
• High attention to detail and the abilityto identify potential issues early in the transaction process
• Good keyboard and IT skills, includingMicrosoft Office applications
• Ability to work independently andcollaboratively within a team environment
• A proactive approach with a willingness tolearn and develop
• Understanding of AML, KYC processes, andregulatory compliance requirements would be advantageous
• Knowledge of the CLC Code of Conduct would bebeneficial

Up to £30,000 , depending on experience

• Ongoing training, development, and careerprogression opportunities

About Sort Legal:

Sort Legal is an award-winning conveyancing firm and partof the wider Sort Group . We combine innovative technology withexceptional customer service to help clients navigate the home-moving processefficiently and with confidence. As we continue to grow, we're committed toinvesting in talented people who share our passion for service excellence.