The Credit Team Leader plays a key role in supporting the firm’s cashflow and financial health by managing complex and high-value credit control activities, leading a team, deputising for Credit Manager when required, and building productive working relationships with Partners, Fee Earners, and internal support teams. Operating at Manager level and reporting into the Credit Manager, the role combines strong technical credit control expertise with people leadership, commercial judgement, operational ownership and accountability for delivery through others.
This role works closely with the Credit Manager to deliver a consistent, high-quality, client-focused credit control service aligned to firm policies, SRA Accounts Rules, and Shoosmiths’ values, while taking responsibility for team performance, capability, engagement and continuous improvement. The role also provides effective cover, support and escalation handling on behalf of the Credit Manager as required.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support the Credit Control team, providing technical guidance on complex credit matters, ensuring compliance with regulatory and internal standards, and acting as an escalation point in the Credit Team Leader's absence.
- Manage the day-to-day activities of six Credit Controllers, setting priorities, allocating workloads, monitoring performance, and driving delivery against cash collection objectives and service standards.
- Oversee operational planning, identify process improvements, maintain accurate records and controls, and support the implementation of system and process enhancements.
- Build strong relationships with Fee Earners, clients, and Business Services teams to support effective debtor management, resolve issues proactively, and contribute to improvements across the billing-to-cash cycle.
- Support the Credit Team Leader with management information, reporting, analysis, escalations, and recommendations, deputising where required.
- Coach, develop, and motivate team members through regular feedback, training, and performance support, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
- Promote team wellbeing, engagement, and continuous improvement while role modelling firm values and supporting ESG-conscious decision-making and stakeholder interactions.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Significant credit management experience, strong ability to handle complex or sensitive debtor matters, negotiating with confidence and professionalism.
- Proven line management experience, including setting expectations, managing performance, holding regular one-to-ones and supporting team members’ development.
- Strong coaching and mentoring skills, with the ability to build capability, confidence and accountability within the team.
- Experience leading, motivating and engaging a team through change, workload pressures and competing priorities.
- Effective communicator who can provide constructive feedback, adapt style to different individuals, and present information clearly and persuasively to different audiences.
- Understanding of financial systems and accounting governance relating to accounts receivable.
- High level of accuracy, analytical capability, and attention to detail.
- Ability to build collaborative working relationships across departments.
Desirable
- Experience leading process improvement initiatives.
- Understanding of SRA Accounts Rules, legal sector and client billing cycles.
- Proficient in finance systems (Preferably SAP S4 Hana)
- MCICM QBE or CICM Level 3 Qualified
The firm
Shoosmiths is the law firm clients choose for excellent service, incisive thinking and above all for our ability to focus on what matters. From offices across the UK and Brussels, we support some of the world’s most exciting and ambitious businesses; amazing clients making an impact. We empower our people to be their authentic selves and deliver together in supportive teams committed to excellence and innovation. The first top 50 law firm to achieve ‘Platinum Standard’ Investors in People, our values and culture are not just words on our website but are the heartbeat of the firm.
We have an outstanding benefits package to complement our competitive remuneration system. In addition to the competitive salaries, great working environment and high-quality work, we believe that all staff should be rewarded for their commitment to the continued success of the firm through a comprehensive and flexible range of benefits.
Shoosmiths is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. Disability Confident is a government scheme designed to encourage employers to recruit and retain disabled people and those with long term conditions. The Disability Confident scheme replaced the Two Ticks Positive about Disabled People scheme. We had been accredited as a two tick employer for many years - Disability Confident broadens and develops that original commitment, and demonstrates we have adopted a proactive approach to employing disabled people and developing their abilities.
As part of our accreditation, we commit to interviewing any applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria for each vacancy. In some circumstances we may only be able to interview those that best meet the essential criteria due to the volume of applications received.
Further information on the Disability Confident scheme is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to and usable by everyone. If you have a disability or long-term condition and would like to receive information in a different way, or need us to make any adjustments, changes or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please get in touch with the Talent Acquisition team on [email protected]. We can consider your needs and requirements, and how we can assist you to apply for our roles. For example we can provide a copy of our application via email so that you can complete it using your own accessibility software.
Our approach to our people is underpinned by our approach to diversity, inclusion and well-being. Our ambition is to build a diverse and ambitious workforce that reflects all backgrounds and talents, and a workplace that is supportive and inclusive, recognises and nurtures talent, and has a strong sense of community between colleagues.
This means that everyone who either applies to or works for the firm is treated equally, whatever their gender, age, ethnic origin, nationality, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
If you’d like to learn more about this opportunity or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]
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