Legal Director & COLP (Part-Time / Flexible Remote Working)
A Different Kind of Legal Leadership Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced litigation solicitor to join a highly innovative, technology-led legal and financial services group as Legal Director and COLP for its specialist regulated law firm.
This is a rare opportunity to step away from the pressures of traditional private practice and into a strategically important leadership role within a well-established, well-run business operating at significant scale across the consumer collections sector.
The role offers genuine flexibility, minimal bureaucracy, excellent operational support, and the chance to work with a modern digital-first organisation that has built an outstanding reputation for process efficiency, compliance, and client delivery.
Based in West Yorkshire with predominantly remote working available, this role is expected to require approximately 2–3 days per week.
The Organisation
The business forms part of a large financial services group specialising in high-volume digital debt recovery and legal collections.
Operating through a sophisticated digital-first model, the organisation manages significant case volumes using intelligent communication channels. The associated SRA-regulated law firm handles legal recoveries for cases progressing beyond standard collections activity, supported by highly streamlined systems, strong operational processes, and experienced non-fee-earning support teams.
The legal function includes a dedicated complex cases unit handling defended matters, hearings, set asides and disputes, supported by experienced team members already embedded within the business.
The Role
The successful candidate will act as the firm’s sole legally qualified Director and Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP), overseeing regulatory compliance and supervising legal operations within the business.
This is not a traditional fee-earning leadership role. There are:
- No billing targets
- No time recording
- No business development responsibilities
- No HR or marketing involvement
- No pressure around profitability management
Instead, the focus is on providing senior legal oversight, maintaining SRA compliance standards, supervising more complex litigation activity, and supporting the existing team where required.
Key responsibilities will include:
Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
- Acting as COLP for the regulated law firm
- Ensuring ongoing compliance with SRA requirements
- Managing occasional complaints and regulatory matters
- Overseeing client onboarding processes where necessary
Legal Supervision
- Supervising the specialist complex cases team
- Signing off more complex proceedings and defended matters
- Providing guidance on disputes, hearings and procedural issues
- Acting as senior legal escalation point when required
About You
This role would suit a commercially minded solicitor seeking greater flexibility, autonomy and work-life balance without sacrificing interesting legal oversight work.
Applicants are likely to have:
- A background in commercial litigation, debt recovery or civil litigation
- Experience working within high-volume legal environments
- Strong organisational and supervisory skills
- Confidence managing regulatory obligations and legal risk
- A pragmatic, solutions-focused approach
Previous COLP experience is not essential.
The role may be particularly attractive to candidates seeking:
- Reduced hours, or a role to work around other existing professional or personal commitments
- Greater flexibility
- An alternative to traditional private practice partnership structures
- A senior legal role without operational management burdens
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Predominantly remote working
- Flexible working structure
- Strong operational support
- Long-term stability within a larger international group
Location
West Yorkshire base with largely remote working available. Occasional office attendance may be required for meetings, onboarding and key operational matters.