Working Capital Senior Manager

I have partnered with one of my long-standing global law firm clients on the hire for a Working Capital Senior Manager to oversee and enhance the full working capital lifecycle for their London office. This is a pivotal, commercially focused position working closely with Partners and senior stakeholders to improve matter profitability, reduce write‑offs, and embed best‑practice working capital management across the business.

This is a newly created role and the successful person will play a strategic and hands‑on role in improving financial performance while leading and developing a team of Working Capital Managers and Controllers.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess monthly inventory positions to evaluate ability to meet billing and collection targets.
• Manage client revenue, WIP and debt balances, partnering with fee‑earners to understand exposure and plan next steps.
• Monitor financial risk on significant matters, implementing strategies to minimise write‑offs and maximise recoveries.
• Lead the annual WIP valuation exercise and respond to audit queries.
• Support and deputise for the Head of Working Capital in improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to global projects designed to strengthen working‑capital processes.

• Oversee selected matters using a legal project management approach to optimise staffing and control margins.
• Analyse complex billing and profitability data, including PPP analysis.
• Review write‑off narratives to identify trends and recommend improvements.
• Prepare and model budgets for new matters.
• Develop reporting metrics to reduce time‑to‑bill, improve collections, and reduce discretionary write‑downs.
• Facilitate practice‑group performance meetings.
• Deliver training to associates and counsel on matter management best practice.

• Act as a trusted advisor to Partners, Associates and senior stakeholders.
• Build strong internal and external relationships to facilitate issue resolution.
• Anticipate client risks and address issues early using experience from previous matters.
• Partner closely with Pricing, Revenue, Credit Control, e‑Billing and offshore service teams.

• Lead, coach and develop Working Capital Managers & Controllers.

Key Requirements

• 10+ years' experience in a working capital/ revenue management within a law firm or wider professional services firm
• Strong commercial acumen with the gravitas and confidence to influence senior stakeholders.
• Proactive, resilient communicator with excellent verbal and written skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast‑paced, target‑driven environment.
• Proven leadership and team‑development experience.
• Experience with 3E is beneficial but not essential.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.

Hybrid model - 3 days in the office

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