Practice Director - Commercial Barristers' Chambers

Significant Salary (plus bonus and benefits) Our Client is a leading set of commercial barristers' chambers with a thriving domestic and international practice. Its members provide top-tier advocacy and advisory services in domestic and international commercial disputes and international arbitration. Following a planned period of strategic focus on market expansion, an exceptional opportunity has arisen for a commercially focused, proactive, and highly organised Practice Director to lead the day-to-day practice and operational management of the team, while playing a central role in generating new business, strengthening client relationships, and supporting long-term practice growth. The successful candidate will combine first-class judgement with a strong business development mindset. They will be expected to understand the commercial and arbitration markets, identify and convert opportunities, support members in developing their practices, and ensure the team runs efficiently, responsively, and professionally. The Role The Practice Director will provide senior leadership for Chambers, balancing strategic practice development with high-level operational oversight. Reporting directly to the CEO and feeding into the Management Committee, the successful candidate will drive measurable growth in work opportunities, client engagement, and billed income, while contributing directly to business generation and enhancing Chambers' brand and market profile. You will also serve as a senior external ambassador for the set, ensuring clients receive responsive, solutions-focused, premium service. Key responsibilities in the role include:

• Business Development & Growth: Creating and executing a comprehensive business plan. Identifying and converting new business streams across its commercial and arbitration practice areas.
• Practice Management: Partnering with members to develop individual career and practice plans, supporting them in growing or transitioning their practices.
• Client Relationship Management: Building and maintaining strong relationships with solicitors, in-house counsel, arbitrators, international intermediaries, and other professional clients.
• Operational Leadership: Leading the day-to-day practice management function, ensuring accurate diary management, strategic case allocation, and seamless workflow logistics.
• Financial & Fee Negotiation: Overseeing commercial fee discussions, reviewing pricing strategies, and driving billed income beyond agreed baseline performance.
• Marketing & Profile: Planning and delivering targeted events, seminars, and international outreach initiatives to enhance Chambers' market position. The Candidate The ideal candidate will:
• Bring significant experience in senior practice management, legal business development, or professional services client management.
• Understand - or quickly master - the dynamics of often complex, international commercial, and arbitration markets.
• Demonstrate an entrepreneurial, results-oriented mindset with the confidence to proactively pursue and close new business opportunities.
• Exhibit excellent commercial drive and ambition, with proven experience in managing professional fee negotiations and tracking performance data.
• Have exceptional interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and the ability to build immediate trust with senior barristers, clients, and corporate stakeholders.
• Be a resilient, energetic leader and mentor, able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure commercial environment. To Apply Please direct all applications to exclusively retained consultants, GRL Legal. To request a copy of the detailed Candidate Brief, or to have a confidential discussion about this position, please contact Matt Curness: mcurness@grllegal.com or Paul Preece: preece@grllegal.com   The Closing Date: 5:00 pm on Friday, 9 October 2026. Early applications are highly encouraged as initial interviews will take place immediately. Equality & Diversity Statement