Head of Family

Magpie Recruitment; Greater London; Remote; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Magpie Recruitment invites an accomplished solicitor to lead our Family Law department. This Head of Family role is remote with quarterly office attendance for strategy sessions and firm events, offering autonomy to shape growth and a high fee-earning profile.

You will mentor a junior fee earner, drive business development, and build your own client base while collaborating with Directors on expansion, marketing, and client initiatives.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales with 8+ years PQE in Family Law.
• Proven departmental leadership and growth experience as Head of Family.
• Strong business development and client base generation skills.
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Family Law department, shaping strategy and growth.
• Manage fee-earning and client management to ensure profitability and standards.
• Develop networks with referrers and client communities.
• Lead marketing, seminars, and thought leadership.
• Supervise and train junior fee earners and new joiners.

Skills

Leadership

Business development

Mentoring

Client relationship management

Strategic thinking

Education

Qualified Solicitor England & Wales

Job description

We are seeking a dynamic, commercially-minded Head of Family to take ownership of our Family Law department. This is a great opportunity to shape and grow a practice while maintaining a high fee-earning profile.

You will lead, develop, and mentor your team, drive business growth, and build your own client base. If you thrive on responsibility, autonomy, and entrepreneurial impact, this role is for you.

This is a full-time, remote working role, but you will attend the office quarterly to lead departmental and strategy sessions as required. You will also attend firmwide/client/networking events.

What this Role Offers

Leadership & Ownership

Shape the vision and strategy for a growing Family Law department.

Direct Impact

Your fee-earning and business development directly influence departmental growth and profitability.

Team Building

Lead and mentor a junior fee earner, building a high-performing team from the ground up.

Strategic Influence

Collaborate directly with Directors on expansion, marketing, and client/business initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Fee Earning & Client Management

• Deliver high-quality advice across the full spectrum of family law, including:
• Divorce, separation, civil partnerships
• Financial remedies, separation agreements, and complex settlements
• Pre- and post-nuptial agreements
• Private children law disputes, including custody, contact, guardianship, and schedule 1 applications
• TOLATA and co-habitation agreements
• Care proceedings
• Annulments and judicial separation
• Build and manage a high-value client book.
• Ensure files are profitable, compliant, and delivered to the firm's highest standards.

Business Development & Growth

• Identify and secure new business opportunities.
• Implement strategies to expand the Family department and increase profitability.
• Develop networks with referrers, professional contacts, and client communities.
• Lead marketing and visibility initiatives, including panel membership, seminars, thought leadership, and social media engagement.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and train a junior fee earner, setting performance expectations and career development targets.
• Supervise and train any other team members that join the department.
• Create a culture of excellence, accountability, and client-focused delivery.

Person Specification

• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales.
• Minimum 8 years PQE in Family Law.
• Previous departmental leadership and growth experience in a Head of Family role.
• Proven ability to generate work and develop a client base.
• Experience supervising or mentoring junior team members.