Head of Private Client

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in North West London seeks a Head of Private Client to lead its dynamic team. This role involves managing complex estate planning for high-net-worth clients while driving growth strategies for the department. Candidates should have over 6 years of relevant experience and a strong commercial mindset. This position offers a competitive salary, performance-related bonus, and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Contributory pension scheme

Discretionary bonus

Professional development support

Clear progression pathway

Supportive culture with work-life balance

Qualifications

• Experience working with high-net-worth clients.
• Ability to mentor and guide a legal team.
• Development of business strategies for client acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Private Client Department and oversee operations.
• Drive departmental growth strategy.
• Manage a high-quality caseload of complex matters.

Skills

Wills and complex estate planning

Probate and estate administration

Trust creation and administration

Lasting Powers of Attorney

Excellent drafting skills

Confident client care

Commercial mindset

Proven ability to lead a team

STEP qualification

Education

At least 6 years PQE in Private Client work

Job description

Job Description

Head of Private Client

Salary : 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 departments 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 departments 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 : 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 of 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 :

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.