Chief Legal Officer

Chief Legal Officer | General Counsel | Legal Director In-House Legal & Recoveries - Specialist Lending / Asset Finance East Midlands HQ | Hybrid Working (1-2 days office) c. £120,000 - £150,000 Bonus LTIP Car Allowance Benefits About the Role We are recruiting a commercially astute Chief Legal Officer (CLO) to join a high-growth, independent finance group. This in-house legal leadership role offers genuine boardroom impact, leading legal, litigation, and recoveries operations in a regulated lending environment. As CLO, you will oversee legal disputes, regulatory compliance, collections strategy, and commercial contract negotiation. The role is hybrid with 1-2 days/week in the East Midlands HQ, ideal for a Senior Associate, Legal Director, or Partner ready to transition into a strategic in-house legal role. This is a rare opportunity to move from private practice into a full executive leadership role - without billing targets, and with the influence to shape legal policy, recoveries, and board decision-making. Key Responsibilities * Lead all legal and commercial dispute matters, litigation strategy, and contract reviews. * Oversee internal collections and recoveries teams, including End of Term operations. * Chair the Impairments Committee and report key risk insights to the executive team. * Develop and implement legal frameworks for asset recoveries, defaults, and loan enforcement. * Negotiate and advise on finance agreements, trading contracts, and lender partnerships. * Manage relationships with external legal advisors, compliance, and regulatory bodies. Ideal Candidate Profile * Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 7 PQE. * Background in commercial litigation/credit litigation, banking & finance disputes, or regulated lending related to finance agreements including defaults * Current or recent experience as a Partner, Senior Associate, or Legal Director. * Proven experience in credit litigation, contract enforcement, legal recoveries, and asset finance. * Experience advising on FCA, FLA, or NACFB-regulated environments is a strong advantage. * Confident communicator and advisor to the Board, CEO, and Executive stakeholders. * Experience leading or managing legal, risk, or collections teams. Why Apply? * Board-level influence in a growing, agile finance group. * Career-defining move for a commercial legal leader. * No billing targets. Clear work/life balance. * Hybrid working - just 1-2 days per week onsite. * Strong total package: Base up to £150k Bonus LTIP Car Allowance. * Culture focused on outcomes, not hours. Apply Now To apply or find out more, send your CV quoting Ref LX (phone number removed)

Location: Elstow, GB

Posted Date: 5/13/2025