Head Of Private Client

VennGroup; Totnes; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

VennGroup is recruiting an experienced Head of Private Client to lead and develop the Private Client department in Devon. You will oversee a busy caseload including wills, trusts and probate, while driving client relationships and growth for the firm.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical knowledge with leadership and a proactive approach to business development, mentoring colleagues and helping to expand the department’s services and client base.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales or Chartered Legal Executive with substantial Private Client experience
• Senior position experience (Head of Department, Partner, Senior Associate or equivalent)
• Strong technical knowledge across wills, probate, estate administration, trusts and lasting powers of attorney
• Excellent client care, communication and drafting skills
• Commercial awareness including billing and departmental targets
• Proactive networking, business development and generation of new work

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Private Client department, overseeing workload allocation and performance
• Manage your own caseload of wills, trusts, probate, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney
• Provide inheritance tax and estate planning advice, wealth preservation and succession planning
• Mentor, supervise and develop solicitors, legal executives and support staff
• Maintain client relationships and seek cross-referral opportunities to grow the department
• Ensure work is compliant with legislation and professional standards
• Monitor billing, financial targets and profitability for the department
• Support recruitment and ongoing development within the team
• Keep up-to-date with developments in private client law and best practice

Job description

The Role

An established regional law firm is looking to appoint an experienced Head of Private Client to lead and develop its Private Client department in Devon.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and commercially minded Private Client Solicitor or experienced Chartered Legal Executive to take responsibility for a busy department, oversee a varied caseload and play a key role in the firm's continued growth.

You will combine strong technical expertise with leadership and business development skills, supporting the development of the team while maintaining excellent client relationships and delivering a high standard of legal advice.

The successful candidate will have the confidence to manage complex matters independently, mentor colleagues and identify opportunities to expand the department's services and client base.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Private Client department, overseeing workload allocation, performance and the development of the team.

• Manage your own caseload of private client matters, including wills, trusts, probate, estate administration and lasting powers of attorney.

• Advise clients on inheritance tax planning, estate planning, wealth preservation and succession planning.

• Handle complex estate administration and trust matters, providing clear and practical advice to clients and their families.

• Supervise, mentor and support solicitors, legal executives, paralegals and other members of the team.

• Ensure work is completed efficiently, accurately and in accordance with relevant legislation and professional standards.

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing clients, professional referrers and local business contacts.

• Identify and pursue business development opportunities to increase the department's profile and generate new instructions.

• Monitor departmental performance, billing, financial targets and profitability.

• Support recruitment, training and the ongoing development of team members.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in private client law and implement best practice across the department.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the firm to identify cross-referral opportunities and support wider business objectives.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales or suitably qualified Chartered Legal Executive with substantial Private Client experience.

• Previous experience in a senior position, such as Head of Department, Partner, Senior Associate or an experienced fee earner ready to take the next step.

• Strong technical knowledge across wills, probate, estate administration, trusts and lasting powers of attorney.

• Experience managing complex matters and providing a high standard of client care.

• Proven ability to lead, supervise and develop colleagues.

• Commercial awareness, including experience managing billing, financial performance and departmental targets.

• Excellent communication, drafting and client relationship management skills.

• A proactive approach to networking, business development and generating new work.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

• A genuine commitme