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Posted 28 July, 2026

Probate Team Manager | Move into Leadership | Derby | £40,000 - £60,000 + Excellent Progression

qed legal
Etwall, ENG, GB Full Time

Job Description

Probate Team Manager | Move into Leadership | Derby | £40,000 - £60,000 + Excellent Progression The next step in your legal career does not have to be about managing more files. It can be about helping more people succeed. If you're an experienced Probate Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive ready to move beyond individual case management and into a role where you can lead, coach and develop others, this is an opportunity to take the next step in your career. An exciting opportunity to join an SRA-regulated law firm that combines legal excellence with an ambitious growth mindset. This is a genuine leadership role where your success will be measured by the success of your team, giving you the opportunity to shape careers, influence performance and make a lasting impact.The Firm This is an opportunity to join an established, SRA-regulated law firm specialising in Wills, Probate and Estate Planning, combining legal expertise with the ambition and innovation of a modern legal services business. The firm has built a strong national reputation for providing expert legal advice alongside a compassionate, client-focused approach. Its purpose is to help families protect what matters most, preserving not only financial assets but the memories and legacies behind them. Following significant growth, the organisation continues to invest in its people, technology and future. It combines the professionalism, governance and standards expected of a regulated law firm with the energy and ambition of a forward-thinking organisation. With a strong culture of internal progression, talented individuals are given genuine opportunities to develop their careers. For the right person, this role can be the first step towards senior leadership opportunities such as Head of Probate within a national operation and ultimately Director-level roles.The Role This is a leadership role first and foremost. Unlike traditional Probate management positions where leadership responsibilities sit alongside a demanding personal caseload, this role has been designed to allow you to focus on developing your team. You will not be measured by the number of files you personally handle. Instead, your focus will be on coaching, mentoring and helping Probate professionals achieve their full potential. You will maintain a small personal caseload of approximately ten Probate matters to ensure your technical knowledge remains current and that you can provide credible guidance and supervision to your team. This is not a fee-earning-driven role. It is an opportunity to step into true legal leadership. Would you enjoy seeing your team achieve more because of your guidance, coaching and support rather than simply measuring success by your own output? Your responsibilities will include:\n
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  • Leading, motivating and developing a team of up to eight Probate Legal Advisors.
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  • Creating a positive, high-performing culture where individuals are supported to succeed.
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  • Coaching and mentoring team members to improve confidence, capability and technical expertise.
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  • Providing technical supervision and guidance
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  • Maintaining a light personal caseload to remain technically current.
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  • Supporting career development through coaching, feedback and performance conversations.
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  • Working with the internal training academy and technical specialists to develop team capability.
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  • Ensuring compliance with SRA regulations and internal quality standards.
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  • Monitoring workflow, capacity and matter progression across the team.
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  • Collaborating with senior leaders to improve performance and deliver departmental objectives.
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You This role will appeal to someone who enjoys people, gets satisfaction from seeing others succeed and is ready to make the transition from legal practitioner to legal leader. Perhaps you are already informally mentoring colleagues, supervising junior team members or acting as the person others turn to for guidance. Now you are looking for the opportunity to make leadership a formal part of your career. You will ideally have:\n
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  • Qualified Solicitor status with a current practising certificate or Chartered Legal Executive (FCILEx) qualification.
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  • Strong Probate and Estate Administration experience.
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  • A genuine passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others.
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  • The ability to motivate, inspire and bring out the best in people.
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  • Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
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  • The ambition to build a long-term leadership career within a growing national legal organisation.
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Could this be the role that moves your career from technical expert to future legal leader? With a culture that actively promotes from within, this is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious legal professional who wants a clear progression pathway and the opportunity to build towards senior leadership.Benefits\n
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  • Salary of £40,000 - £60,000 depending on experience.
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  • A genuine leadership role with no traditional fee-earning pressures.
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  • Hybrid working.
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  • Small technical caseload designed to maintain legal expertise, not drive billing.
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  • Excellent progression opportunities within a growing national law firm.
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  • Clear pathway towards senior leadership positions.
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  • Med-icash scheme.
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  • Life assurance.
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  • Structured training, coaching and professional development.
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  • Opportunity to influence and shape the future of a successful Probate department.
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  • A collaborative culture where talent is recognised and promoted from within.
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The best legal leaders don't just manage files. They build people, develop talent and create teams that succeed. If you're ready to step into a role where you can inspire others, build a successful team and shape the future of a growing Probate function, this could be the career move you've been looking for. Contact Toby Ryan at QED Legal today for a confidential conversation and discover where this opportunity could take your career.