Contract Legal Recoveries Manager

A leading legal services provider is seeking a Contract Legal Recoveries Manager to support one of their key financial services clients. The successful candidate will oversee and manage the recoveries function, ensuring the efficient and compliant handling of debt recovery matters from initiation to resolution. This position requires strong technical legal expertise, leadership skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, clients, and external stakeholders to enhance recoveries performance.

This is a 3-6 month contract role working through an Umbrella company. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement, so candidates should be located within a commutable distance to either Bristol or Manchester.

Key Responsibilities

Operational & Case Management

• Oversee the end-to-end management of recoveries workflows, including unsecured, secured, commercial, and consumer debt matters. A knowledge of asset, invoice and bridging finance would be a plus.
• Allocate work, monitor caseloads, and ensure efficient progression of files in line with KPIs and service level agreements.
• Provide technical oversight on litigation processes, including pre-action, claims issuance, enforcement options, and settlement strategy.
• Review and approve key documents such as witness statements, applications, settlement proposals, and enforcement instructions.
• Ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance of all casework with relevant legislation and client expectations.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of recoveries paralegals, case handlers, or legal assistants.
• Conduct performance reviews and support career progression pathways.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and high performance.

Client Relationship Management

• Build and maintain relationships with key clients and stakeholders, including in-house legal teams, commercial banking teams, and external suppliers.
• Attend client calls, reporting sessions, and panel reviews where required.
• Provide clear reporting on case progress, risk, trends, and opportunities for process improvements.

Risk, Governance & Compliance

• Ensure that all recoveries activity aligns with regulatory requirements (e.g., FCA, GDPR), internal policies, and client frameworks.
• Identify risks in case strategy and escalate appropriately.
• Implement best-practice processes, workflows, and controls to drive consistency and compliance.

Process & Performance Improvement

• Analyse recoveries data to identify patterns, performance issues, or opportunities for increased efficiency.
• Lead process optimisation and contribute to automation or tooling initiatives (e.g., case management enhancements).
• Support training programmes for internal teams on recoveries processes or legal developments.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

• Strong experience in legal recoveries, litigation, or debt recovery environments.
• Knowledge of enforcement processes, court procedure, and debt recovery strategies.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong stakeholder management and problem-solving abilities.
• Familiarity with case management systems and reporting tools.

Desirable

• Qualified Solicitor (SRA or Law Society Registered) or CILEX qualified
• Experience in recoveries or financial litigation work.
• Understanding of process-driven or high-volume legal operations.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates