Head of Client Money (6m FTC)

Location: London/Hybrid - 3 days per week on-site

Salary: £70,000 - £100,000

About the Role

We're looking for an interim strategic, detail-oriented Head Legal Cashier to lead and scale our client money function at Lawhive for a six month fixed term contract. Reporting directly to the Head of Compliance you'll take full ownership of all client money processes, manage a growing team, and ensure our systems, policies, and platform meet and exceed regulatory requirements.

You'll be a key voice in shaping how we integrate client money into the Lawhive platform, ensuring compliance with SRA regulations, embedding best practices, and driving operational excellence across the business. You'll also play a critical leadership role in mentoring your team and building a high-performing finance function that supports Lawhive's continued growth.

Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and grow a high-performing client money team, leading by example and setting clear standards and expectations
• Oversee team workload and task prioritisation, ensuring timely delivery of business needs with a strong sense of urgency
• Mentor team members and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement

Compliance & Regulatory Excellence

• Ensure full compliance with SRA Accounts Rules, leveraging in-depth knowledge of SRA reconciliations and reporting requirements
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust financial policies, procedures, and controls
• Set the benchmark for legal cashiering excellence across Lawhive and roll this out business-wide
• Maintain oversight of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies and procedures

Platform Integration & Process Improvement

• Act as the key partner in integrating client money processes into the Lawhive platform
• Identify gaps and clearly communicate platform changes required to ensure compliance and operational efficiency
• Collaborate closely with product and operations teams to prioritise and implement system improvements
• Drive continuous enhancement of client money operations through technology and process optimisation

What We're Looking For Essential Experience & Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in legal finance, client money, or legal cashiering, with demonstrated team leadership
• Deep knowledge of SRA Accounts Rules, with a proven track record in SRA reconciliations and reporting
• Strong experience creating and implementing policies and procedures, particularly around AML compliance

Skills & Attributes

• Proven ability to lead teams through periods of growth and change while maintaining operational excellence
• Comfortable identifying problems and opportunities, and clearly articulating what's needed to improve systems and platforms
• Highly organised and detail-driven, with the ability to manage multiple priorities with speed and accuracy
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Growth mindset and genuine enthusiasm for helping to shape the future of legal finance in a tech-enabled environment
• Collaborative working style with the ability to work effectively across product, operations, and finance teams

Interview Process

• Introductory call with our Talent team
• 1:1 with your hiring manager
• Technical interview

Benefits

• Meaningful early-stage equity at one of Europe's fastest growing startups
• 33 days' annual leave (25 + bank holidays) plus your birthday off
• Work from anywhere for a month
• Pension contribution via Nest
• Top-spec Macbook
• Regular team building activities and socials