Managing Solicitor - London

Guardian Jobs; London Borough of Harrow; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a qualified legal professional to manage legal services and advocate for clients facing housing issues. This role involves supervising a legal team, handling a caseload, and contributing to strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in housing law and legal aid contracts, along with a commitment to social justice and diversity.

Benefits

30 days of annual leave

Enhanced family friendly policies

Pension

Interest free travel loans

Tenancy deposit loan

Payroll giving

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years post qualification legal practice experience.
• Experience managing and supervising others.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise legal teams advocating for clients with housing issues.
• Contribute to strategic direction of legal services nationally.

Skills

Court Advocacy

Policy Analysis

Research

Education

Legal Qualification

Job description

Location: London and one other location TBC

Depending on the needs of the service, there is potential for limited flexible/hybrid working within this role. Arrangements will be discussed with the successful candidate

Salary: Grade 7 - £53,781 per annum
Closing date: Sunday 18th May 2025 at 11.30pm
Full time - 37.5 hours per week

About the role

You will ensure we deliver high quality legal services and manage our Legal Aid Contract, with your main focus being to manage and supervise the legal teams who are advocating for clients with housing issues, as well as bringing about systemic change.

You will be dealing with personnel issues, providing professional support and supervision to your team as well as carrying your own caseload of housing litigation. Contributing to the strategic direction of Shelter legal services nationally will be an important aspect of the role too, as will taking the lead on delivering strategic change aligned to Shelter’s strategy and ensuring Legal aid contract requirements and performance targets are met.

You will be able to identify test case opportunities to address systemic bad practice and so achieve change for a greater number of people and will work closely with the Head of Legal Services, the Hub Management Team and teams within Communications, Policy and Campaigns and Business Development.

As a key member of the management team, you will also get to play your part in the management of our offices, including attending management team meetings and collaborating with other teams.

About you

You will be experienced in working under a housing legal aid contract, court advocacy, carrying your own caseload as well as managing and supervising others. You will have a minimum of 4 years post qualification legal practice experience, have supervisor status and have substantial knowledge of housing and homelessness law. Independent File Reviews, time recording and good case management will also be part of the role. You are able to carry out research and policy analysis in the areas of housing, homeless and welfare law, produce reports and presentations.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

About the team

The Legal Service is made up of four teams – Community Legal, National Legal, Strategic Litigation and Legal Support. The Community Legal Team are based throughout the England hubs.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

How to apply

Please submit your CV with a supporting statement with responses to the 'About You' points 1-5 outlined in the job description of no more than 1000 words total. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses:

• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

CVs without an accompanying supporting statement will not be considered.

Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Recruitment Agencies

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.