Head of Family (c.10+ PQE)
Location
Greater Manchester
Salary
£70000-90000 per annum
Sector
Private Practice
Type
Permanent Role
Practice Area
Family
Reference
JR/MO/1604T
A senior leadership opportunity for an experienced family lawyer to take ownership of a well-established and high-performing department across multiple offices in Greater Manchester.
This is a chance to step into a visible, strategic role with responsibility for shaping the direction of the team, building on an existing platform of work, and driving further growth in a key practice area.
About the firm
This is a full-service regional firm with a strong reputation for client care and consistent performance across its core practice areas. The family team is an important part of the business, with an established client base and a steady flow of instructions, including complex and high-value matters.
The structure already supports junior and mid-level lawyers, and the firm is now looking for a senior hire to lead from the front and bring clarity to the next phase of development.
Role overview
You'll lead the family department across multiple offices, with responsibility for both the legal output and overall performance of the team. The work spans the full range of private family matters, including divorce, financial remedy work, children matters, and complex high-net-worth cases.
Alongside your own caseload, you'll take a central role in setting strategy, managing financial performance, and improving how the team operates day to day. That includes supervision, mentoring, and building a culture that supports consistent delivery and development.
There is also a clear expectation around business development. You'll work to strengthen existing relationships, build new referral channels, and raise the profile of the team in the local market.
Candidate profile
Likely to suit a senior family lawyer at Legal Director or Partner level, or an experienced Senior Associate ready to step into a broader leadership role.
You'll need strong technical grounding across private family work, alongside a track record of leading or contributing to team performance. An ability to balance client work with strategic thinking and commercial awareness will be important.
This role will appeal to someone who wants genuine influence over how a department develops, rather than operating within a fixed structure.
Offer and benefits
Competitive salary and benefits package including enhanced annual leave, private medical insurance, income protection, pension, and hybrid working.
What now?
An initial conversation can take place discreetly, and you don't need a CV to start. For more information, please contact Joe Rees at Thornton Legal on 07903 222 898 or joe@thorntonlegal.co.uk.
Thornton Legal connects talented lawyers with leading law firms across the North West, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands. We believe in straightforward, transparent recruitment that focuses on quality relationships, not volume.
Live Jobs.
Everyone has different career goals, so we tailor our service to suit each individual candidate we work with and promise to be by your side every step of the way - guiding and coaching you through the entire job move process.
