Legal Director

HST Hiring Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional legal firm in Manchester is seeking an experienced Legal Director to lead its legal operations. This senior role involves ensuring compliance, managing litigation strategies, and overseeing departments for effective service delivery. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in legal management, strong leadership skills, and excellent stakeholder management abilities. This position offers a chance to shape operational strategies and contribute to the firm's success.

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in legal management.
• Proven track record in compliance and supervision.
• Strong knowledge of litigation and regulatory frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the firm’s legal operations.
• Act as the firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice.
• Supervise the firm’s portfolio of claims.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Qualified solicitor

Job description

Overview

Overview

FDM Solicitors is seeking an experienced and strategic Legal Director to lead and oversee the firm’s legal operations. The successful candidate will assume responsibility for all legal functions, ensuring regulatory compliance, high-quality service delivery, and effective coordination between legal departments and the operations team.

This is a senior leadership position requiring a hands-on approach, strategic thinking, and a strong understanding of compliance, litigation management, and legal ethics.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic and Operational Leadership
   • Collaborate closely with the Operations Director to manage the day-to-day running of the firm.
   • Liaise with external stakeholders including litigation funders, counsel, introducers, insurers, and costs firms.
   • Contribute to staffing structure decisions, including participation in interviews for key hires.
2. Compliance Oversight
   • Act as the firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP).
   • Oversee compliance with legal ethics, case acquisition procedures, and quality assurance.
   • Provide hands-on involvement and supervision of broader compliance matters across the firm.
3. Claims and Case Management
   • Supervise and provide strategic input into the firm’s portfolio of Insolvency
   • Practitioner-led PPI claims against major lending institutions.
   • Work jointly with the Senior Associate for Financial Claims to manage strategy, supervision, and negotiations with defendant institutions.
4. Departmental Supervision
   • Oversee the Pre-Litigation, Litigation, and Costs departments of all claim types.
   • Provide strategic guidance, advice, and support to departmental heads.
   • Ensure timely progression of cases, focusing on the efficiency and effectiveness of the firm’s litigation strategy.
   • Offer practical oversight and act as a “sounding board” for department leads.

Requirements

• Qualified solicitor with significant post-qualification experience.
• Proven track record in legal management, compliance, and supervision.
• Strong knowledge of litigation and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in financial claims or housing disrepair matters advantageous.

About FDM Solicitors

FDM Solicitors is a trading name of First Dispute Management Limited, authorised and

regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA (phone number removed)). The firm provides expert

legal services across multiple areas, focusing on delivering efficient, compliant, and results-driven legal solutions