Leading London set, Outer Temple Chambers are seeking a Fees & Accounts Director, responsible for leading the end-to-end fees process, from time recording and billing through to fee collection and barrister payments, delivering an excellent service aligned to Chambers’ values whilst supporting senior leadership and managing the Fees Collection Team.
What does the role involve?
The role of the Fees & Accounts Director involves effective and dynamic leadership of the Fees and Payments teams, pro-actively looking to increase efficiency of the cash collection process and build relationships with key stakeholders.
You will provide an outstanding service to members, and positively contribute to the strategic direction of Chambers
Who will I be working with?
You will support the Director of Clerking and the Director of Operations and will have line management responsibility for the Fees Collection Team.
Core duties
- Have an oversight of Chambers’ terms & conditions and processes – recommending changes where appropriate to reduce debtors.
- Lead and manage the fees and payments team, delivering a consistently high-quality service to members and clients.
- Efficiently manage, chase, reduce and recover all outstanding debts (CFA, CF1, DA, LA & Private) due to members of Chambers.
- Review current processes and identify necessary changes.
- Liaise with the clerking team regarding case information and amendments to fees.
- Analyse revenue trends and performance metrics, providing strategic recommendations.
- Prepare aged debt report for individual barristers and for the Management Committee.
- Develop points of contact with key clients for fee-related matters, building and maintaining strong working relationships with barristers and teams across Chambers.
- Reduce the cash cycle i.e. the time from billing to payment of fees.
- Work with the Director of Operations, Practice Directors and barristers to get timesheets completed promptly and billed as soon as the funding scenario allows.
- Work with barristers to identify outstanding debts that they require special attention in order to collect.
- Lead, manage and develop direct reports by setting clear performance expectations (in liaison with the Director of Clerking and the Director of Operations) and establish effective team working and high standards of customer service (internal and external).
- Observe confidentiality in relation to all casework and other matters in Chambers and to comply with Chambers procedures, all relevant regulations and all relevant sections of the Code of Conduct of the Bar of England and Wales.
- Provide structured induction for new tenants, ensuring they fully understand Chambers’ billing procedures, expectations and the support available to them. Work proactively to ensure that good billings habits are established from the start.
Person specification
- Proven experience of working at a senior level within a fees clerking team, successfully streamlining procedures and reducing aged debt.
- Strong leadership skills, sound commercial judgement and a hands-on approach.
- Excellent knowledge of Lex and the various legal funding systems and contracts.
- A collaborative leader, they will contribute positively to senior management, support business development and uphold Chambers’ staff values.
- Confident, professional, and diplomatic in managing sensitive issues and building relationships at all levels.
- Good oral and written communication skills, with the tenacity to chase outstanding fees.
- The ability to combine traditional clerking expertise with modern business acumen, demonstrating confidence, discretion, and emotional intelligence, and be comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels.
- The ability to be proactive and take the initiative, identifying problems and dealing with them.
- Excellent time management skills and the ability to manage others’ time effectively.
- Self-motivated, team orientated with an excellent eye for detail.
Benefits
- 26 days annual leave
- Birthday leave
- Discretionary annual bonus
- Life Assurance
- Eyecare at work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Subsidised staff social events
Outer Temple Chambers is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to diversity amongst its staff and members. We are also a Disability Confident Employer.
