Head of Department – Medical Negligence & Personal Injury

Job description
Head of Department or Associate Solicitor with potential for career development opportunities, Medical Negligence & Personal Injury
Full-time, 37.5 hours per week (hybrid working considered)
Based at Leamington office
Competitive salary plus benefits
One of the largest legal practices in Coventry & Warwickshire, with offices in Leamington Spa, Coventry, Nuneaton, Stratford and Southam.

An exciting and rare opportunity has arisen for a Head of our Medical Negligence and Personal Injury team, who will also manage their own caseload of predominantly medical negligence files, along with some personal injury work.

The successful candidate will manage the department, providing strong leadership to the team, including financial management and budgeting, departmental risk compliance and performance and development of staff, as well as handling your own caseload and developing work in the firm’s office locations.

You will work closely with other team members to provide an excellent service, so well-developed communication and organisational skills, as well as proficiency in IT, are key.

Job description.

Job Title: Head of Department
Department: Medical Negligence & Personal Injury
Location: Leamington

Job purpose
To lead and manage the Department, providing strong leadership to the team, including financial management and budgeting, departmental risk compliance and performance and development of staff.
To manage own caseload and develop work in the firm’s office locations.
Work in accordance with the Office Manual, SRA Code of Conduct and SRA Accounts Rules and The Law Society LEXCEL standard.
Key responsibilities
Management of Team
Day-to-day management of the department, which includes ensuring staff within the department are suitably trained and have clear development plans.
Conduct and co-ordinate performance and file reviews within the department.
Undertake financial control and management of the department as required.
Pro-active marketing and business development of the department, with the assistance of the Business Development Director to include attendance at networking and exhibition events when appropriate.
Manage own caseload progression compliance and billing.
Undertake own complex work in accordance with the requirements of the Office Manual.
Responsible for the department’s achievement of agreed targets and review of key performance indicators (KPIs).
Liaise with the Compliance and Business Support Officer to manage complaints that arise within the department as required.
Ensure departmental procedures are AML and Lexcel compliant.
Arrange and chair regular departmental meetings and ensure effective communication within the department.
Attend management meetings, if required, as the representative of the department and Head of Department meetings.
Organise and attend all appropriate internal and external training seminars.
Undertaking any reasonable instructions given by Directors within the limits of this employment description.
Fee Earning
Responsible for managing and progressing own busy caseload of predominantly medical negligence matters, along with some personal injury work.
Interview and advise clients, accurately record information taken and advice given
Obtain all necessary information to formulate and assess the case.
Time record in accordance with the firm’s policy and prepare bills as required to ensure KPIs are achieved as an induvial fee earner and contribute to the departmental budget.
Regularly review and report to client, agree courses of action, and ensure that the client is fully aware of possible outcome
Comply with quality systems and work instructions to meet LEXCEL standards.
Maintain diary and case management systems.
Manage delegated activities to experts, costs draftspersons, counsel, other employees, and others.
Keep up to date with developments in the law relevant to your matters.
Knowledge and Experience
A minimum of 5 years’ PQE as a Medical Negligence & Personal Injury Solicitor
Experienced Associate Solicitor or Head of Department/Partner/Director
Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury Law Society accreditations desirable
Up-to-date specialist knowledge of the law and legal system, and relevant experience of handling a wide range of cases
Budgeting skills and commercial awareness
Well-developed people management skills and experience of running and managing a team
Ability to work on own initiative
Excellent organisational skills
Full clean driving license and use of a car
Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel
Experience of case management systems and time recording
Knowledge and understanding of current AML regulations, SRA Accounts Rules and Code of Conduct
Awareness of cybersecurity and data protection issues and legislation
Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal); skilled in dealing sensitively with clients
Good working knowledge and application of accounting and finance systems within the firm
Flexibility to work outside of normal office hours to fulfil the requirements of the role
This job description is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities.

Interested in this role?
If you feel you have the required experience and skills please submit your CV to be considered