Debt Recovery Solicitor / Legal Executive (Team Lead) - Nottingham
We are looking for an experienced Debt Recovery Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive to take on a senior role within a fast-moving legal team, combining caseload ownership with day-to-day supervision of a small paralegal group.
This role is ideal for a legal professional who thrives in high-volume litigation environments, enjoys developing junior colleagues, and is driven by efficient fee recovery and strong commercial outcomes for clients.
You will manage your own court-led debt caseload while ensuring team milestones, service standards, and financial performance targets are met consistently.
Role Overview
Casework & Client Delivery
- Manage a high-volume portfolio of litigated debt matters, including claims, judgments, and enforcement activity
- Deliver pragmatic, cost-aware legal advice focused on risk, recovery strategy, and timely resolution
- Draft and review statements of case, evidence, applications, and advocacy instructions where required
- Lead monthly case reviews to identify delays, determine next steps, and create billing opportunities
- Provide clients with structured, regular updates on progress and projected costs
- Maintain accurate time recording, case notes, and billing data using legal CMS platforms
- Negotiate and conclude settlements where commercially appropriate
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Supervise and support assigned paralegal(s), ensuring litigation milestones are met without delay
- Review legal documents for accuracy, quality, and procedural compliance
- Act as the first escalation point for complex or urgent team queries
- Identify workflow issues, remove blockers, and provide direct guidance to maintain case momentum
- Hold monthly 1-2-1 performance meetings, setting ambitious goals and monitoring delivery against KPIs
- Champion a culture of accountability, resilience, and high performance within the paralegal group
- Contribute to ongoing improvements in process, systems, and service delivery
Growth & Operational Contribution
- Support referral and professional partner relationships, identifying opportunities to enhance service value
- Represent the team in client meetings, demonstrating commercial insight and strategic leadership
- Assist with the design and rollout of scalable process improvements
- Support wider team financial objectives through strong prioritisation, pace, and performance focus
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive with litigation rights
- Minimum of 1+ years PQE
- Experience managing a volume litigated debt caseload
- Strong knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules, debt recovery processes, and leasehold/tenancy-related debt disputes
- Prior experience supervising or mentoring junior legal staff
- Proficiency with legal case management systems
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Commercial mindset, highly organised, resilient, and target-driven
- Confident using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams
Desirable Experience
- Property management or tenancy-linked debt litigation exposure
- Familiarity with Proclaim or similar legal CMS platforms
- Previous line management or supervisory responsibility
- Experience working with professional referrers or referral partners
Core Competencies
- Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking
- High attention to detail and quality control
- Client-focused and solutions-driven
- Resilient, tenacious, and persuasive
- Comfortable managing deadlines, KPIs, and financial targets
- Calm and focused under pressure
- Able to work both autonomously and collaboratively
- Data-literate with the ability to interpret and act on performance information
Benefits
- Private health and wellbeing benefits
- Birthday leave day in addition to annual holiday entitlement
- Enhanced benefits package including additional leave and wellbeing initiatives
- CPD and professional development support
- Nottingham-based office location
- Opportunity to play a key role in shaping a high-performing legal function
If this role sounds of interest to you, please get in touch with Steph at Simpson Judge for more info