Chambers CEO

Reports to: Heads of Chambers and the Chambers Management Committee Location: Temple, London Working pattern: Full-time, permanent. Primarily based on-site in Temple, with some flexibility around working patterns.
Salary: £135,000 - £150,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus up to 15% performance-related reward.
About New Court Chambers
Founded in 1994, New Court Chambers is a leading set of barristers based in Temple, London, specialising in family law, Court of Protection and related areas. Its barristers act for individuals, local authorities and other clients at all levels of court.
New Court is recognised by both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. Most recently, it was ranked as a Leading Set in The Legal 500 2026, with 14 barristers individually recognised. Feedback published on the Chambers website describes New Court as “an excellent set with talented practitioners”, with a particular strength across public and private children law and financial proceedings.

Building on more than 30 years in practice, New Court is focused on its continued development, strengthening its market position and ensuring Chambers is well placed for the future.

The opportunity

New Court Chambers is looking to appoint a Chambers CEO to provide strategic, commercial, financial and operational leadership across Chambers.

This is a broad and influential leadership role, working closely with the Heads of Chambers, Management Committee, members and staff to shape and deliver Chambers’ strategy and lead its day-to-day management.

You’ll join at an important point in Chambers’ development, with an opportunity to lead organisational change, strengthen structures and accountability, build commercial and business development capability and ensure Chambers continues to operate effectively in a changing legal market.

With responsibility across all aspects of Chambers’ activity other than the legal services provided by its members, you’ll have genuine scope to shape how the organisation operates and develops.

Key responsibilities

You'll:
- Lead the development and delivery of Chambers’ strategy, working closely with the Heads of Chambers, Management Committee and members.
- Drive organisational and cultural change, embedding clear structures, responsibilities, accountability and KPIs.
- Oversee Chambers’ financial and commercial performance, including budgeting, cash flow, billing, debt recovery, income forecasting and financial reporting.
- Identify opportunities to increase income, improve efficiency and strengthen Chambers’ long-term financial resilience.
- Lead a commercially focused approach to business development and marketing, strengthening client relationships, raising Chambers’ profile and identifying growth opportunities.
- Support members in developing their practices and wider professional aspirations.
- Lead and develop the Chambers staff team, creating a high-performing and collaborative working environment.
- Oversee clerking performance and ensure consistently high standards of service.
- Strengthen governance, compliance and risk management, making sure Chambers keeps pace with relevant regulatory requirements, and its policies and procedures are effective and embedded in practice.
- Oversee key operational areas including premises, health and safety, technology, cybersecurity, data protection, business continuity and digital improvement.
- Represent Chambers externally and continue to build its reputation and profile within the legal market.

The person

We’re looking for an experienced senior leader who combines strong commercial judgement with the ability to lead people, navigate complex stakeholder relationships and deliver meaningful organisational change.

You will bring:
- Significant experience in financial and commercial management, gained within barristers’ chambers, a City or family law firm, or a comparable professional services environment.
- Degree-level qualification (2:1 or above), equivalent professional or international qualification, or substantial relevant experience gained through an alternative route, such as clerking or practice management. We’ll also consider mitigating circumstances.
- Strong understanding of the legal services market and the commercial environment affecting barristers’ chambers.
- Proven experience of building and leading high-performing teams, managing performance and delivering continuous improvement, including through organisational or cultural change.
- Strong strategic, commercial and financial management skills.
- Experience of business development and senior client relationship management.
- Strong governance, compliance and risk management experience.
- The confidence and credibility to work effectively with senior professionals and a range of stakeholders.
- Excellent communication, judgement and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to establish a clear direction and turn strategy into practical action.
- Confidence using Chambers or practice management systems and wider business technology.
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Previous senior management experience within barristers' chambers would be particularly valuable, although we also welcome applications from candidates with highly relevant leadership experience in law firms or comparable professional services organisations.

Experience of working with barristers, clerks, solicitors, public sector clients or legally aided work would be useful, as would experience of professional services marketing, directory submissions, premises, IT, cybersecurity or operational transformation.

How you work:

You'll be someone who:
- Thinks strategically while remaining comfortable with the realities of day-to-day leadership.
- Brings commercial thinking and looks for opportunities to strengthen performance and sustainability.
- Builds credibility and trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Constructively challenges established ways of working.
- Creates clarity, accountability and momentum.
- Handles sensitive and complex situations with discretion and sound judgement.
- Leads change confidently while bringing people with you.
- Is collaborative in approach but comfortable taking responsibility and making decisions.

Why join New Court Chambers?

This is an opportunity to take on a genuinely influential leadership role within an established and highly regarded London Chambers.

As CEO, you’ll have significant scope to shape the next stage of New Court’s development by strengthening its commercial approach, leading organisational change, developing its people and operations, and ensuring Chambers is well positioned for the future.

You’ll work closely with the Heads of Chambers, Management Committee and members, with the autonomy and influence to turn strategic priorities into meaningful change.

Alongside a salary of £135,000 - £150,000, you’ll receive up to 15% performance-related reward, 28 days’ holiday plus public holidays, a wellbeing scheme, and training and development opportunities.

If you have the leadership experience, commercial judgement and ambition to help shape the future of New Court Chambers, we’d love to hear from you.

Closing date for applications: 12th October 2026