Defendant Motor Damage Team Leader

About us

DLG is evolving. Across every facet of our business, our teams are embracing new opportunities and putting customers at the heart of everything they do. Whether you’re already part of the team or thinking about joining us, you’ll be working in a place where empathy meets expertise. Within our own dedicated law firm, our diversely experienced team support and guide customers through life’s toughest moments. It’s a fast-paced and collaborative working environment, but our comprehensive training and tools will help ensure you’re ready for the challenge. You can find more details about DLG Legal Services on our website.

We currently have an exciting new opportunity for an experience Team Leader to join our Defendant Litigation team at DLG Legal Services. This is 15 Months Fixed Term Contract that will be based from our Leeds, Birmingham or Bristol office (hybrid working).

The role

Reporting to Defendant Operations Lead, you will be responsible for leading the effective delivery of litigated motor damage claims, ensuring high-quality legal outcomes for customers while meeting business performance objectives. The role exists to provide strong technical oversight, people leadership, and operational control across a specialist litigation team. By combining legal expertise with leadership capability, the role ensures claims are handled proactively, compliantly, and cost-effectively. The Team Leader also plays a key role in developing people, embedding a customer-focused culture, and driving continuous improvement across the function.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and oversee the conduct of litigated Defendant Motor Damage claims, ensuring files are progressed proactively, compliantly, and in line with client strategies and Civil Procedure Rules.

• Provide technical leadership and supervision across the team, ensuring consistently high standards of legal advice, drafting, and decision-making.

• Manage and develop team performance, setting clear expectations, coaching individuals, and supporting engagement, capability, and progression in line with performance frameworks.

• Plan and manage resources effectively, including capacity, workflow, recruitment, absence, and succession planning, to ensure service standards and productivity targets are met.

• Embed a strong customer-focused culture, ensuring ownership, accountability, and clear communication throughout the customer journey.

• Drive continuous improvement, acting as a positive change agent by identifying opportunities to enhance processes, efficiency, and team performance.

• Ensure compliance and governance, including complaints handling, SARs, people management processes, and regulatory obligations.

• Contribute to financial and operational performance, supporting budget management and cost-effective litigation strategies

What you'll need

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) or CILEx with a current practising certificate and the right to conduct litigation.

• Solid experience in civil litigation, ideally within motor damage or insurance-related matters.

• Experience supervising, coaching, or directing junior or non-qualified staff.

• Strong technical capability in drafting, negotiation, and case strategy.

• Sound commercial awareness and understanding of cost-effective litigation decision-making.

Benefits

We recognise we wouldn't be where we are today without our colleagues, that's why we offer excellent benefits designed to suit your lifestyle:

• 9% employer contributed pension

• Up to 10% Annual performance-based bonus

• 50% off home, motor and pet insurance plus free Green Flag breakdown cover

• Additional optional Health and Dental insurance

• EV car scheme allows all colleagues to lease a brand new electric or plug-in hybrid car in a tax efficient way.

• Generous holidays

• Buy as you earn share scheme

• Employee discounts and cashback

• Plus, many more

Ways of Working: Our hybrid model offers a 'best of both worlds' approach. When you'll be in the office depends on your role and team, but colleagues spend 50% of their working week in the office

We want everyone to get the most out of their time at DLG. Which is why we’ve looked beyond the financial rewards and created an offer that takes your whole life into account. Supporting our people to work at their best – whatever that looks like — and offering real choice, flexibility, and a greater work-life balance that means our people have time to focus on the things that matter most to them. Our benefits are about more than just the money you earn. They’re about recognising who you are and the life you live.

Be yourself

Direct Line Group is an equal opportunity employer, and we think diversity of background and thinking is a big strength in our people. We're delighted to feature as one of the UK's Top 50 Inclusive Employers and are committed to making our business an inclusive place to work, where everyone can be themselves and succeed in their careers.

We know you're more than a CV, and the things that make you, you, are what bring potential to our business. We recognise and embrace people that work in different ways so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.

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