HDR Team Leader – Housing Disrepair

Location: Manchester
Department: Housing Disrepair
Reporting to: Operations Manager
Responsible for: Fee Earners and Paralegals within the Housing Disrepair Team

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated HDR Team Leader to join our growing Housing Disrepair department. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled litigator who is passionate about leadership, team development, and delivering exceptional client service.

As a Team Leader, you will lead by example, managing and supporting a team of fee earners and paralegals while maintaining your own caseload. You will play a key role in driving performance, ensuring compliance with firm procedures, and contributing to the continued growth and success of the department.

This position requires a proactive leader who can motivate others, manage workloads effectively, and foster a positive and high-performing team culture.

Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Team Management

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of fee earners and paralegals.
• Support team members in achieving individual and departmental targets.
• Manage annual leave requests, sickness absence notifications, and return-to-work meetings.
• Conduct probation reviews and quarterly one-to-one meetings.
• Address performance issues, providing coaching, mentoring, and development support.
• Ensure effective workload allocation and business continuity during planned and unplanned absences.
• Promote a positive team environment that encourages collaboration, wellbeing, and professional growth.

Performance Management

• Manage your own Housing Disrepair caseload with support from a Paralegal.
• Monitor individual and team performance against KPIs and targets.
• Conduct regular file audits and case reviews.
• Review and approve key documents including:
  • Letters of Claim
  • Expert Reports
  • Instructions to Counsel
  • Pleadings
• Provide constructive feedback and recognise achievements and improvements.
• Identify training and development needs within the team.

Operational & Strategic Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with firm policies, procedures, systems, and practice standards.
• Maintain high standards of client service through effective supervision and quality assurance.
• Investigate complaints and risk issues, making recommendations for improvements.
• Support recruitment, induction, and training of new employees.
• Keep up to date with developments in Housing Disrepair law and ensure team knowledge remains current.
• Participate in the development of departmental policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives.

Collaboration & Business Growth

• Work closely with fellow Team Leaders, Managers, Directors, and other departments across the business.
• Share knowledge, best practice, litigation strategies, and hearing outcomes.
• Identify and report operational challenges and business risks.
• Contribute ideas that improve efficiency, service delivery, and overall business performance.
• Support departmental growth plans and help drive business objectives.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will be a confident and adaptable leader with strong litigation experience and a genuine passion for developing people.

Essential Skills & Attributes

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership and people management abilities.
• Outstanding organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and motivate team members.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Confident negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Professional, tactful, and diplomatic approach.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to client care.
• Flexible, resilient, and able to manage competing priorities.
• High levels of integrity, honesty, and professionalism.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Proclaim.

Experience & QualificationsEssential

• Minimum 2 years' litigation experience.
• Minimum 6 months' Housing Disrepair experience.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or supporting colleagues in a legal environment.
• Strong understanding of Housing Disrepair processes and procedures.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to play a key role in a growing and successful department.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment.
• Career progression and leadership development opportunities.
• Chance to influence departmental strategy and operational improvements.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you are an ambitious Housing Disrepair professional ready to take the next step into leadership, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help shape the future of our Housing Disrepair team.