Legal & Professional Standards Manager

Thorntons

Flexible

Flexible Location

LEGAL & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS MANAGER
Flexible on Location

At Thorntons Law, every moment matters. Join us as a Legal & Professional Standards Manager and you’ll feel inspired. You’ll feel connected. You’ll feel like you belong. And it all begins from the moment you join us.

That’s because we’ve created a different kind of law firm. Here, you’ll build relationships with clients and colleagues that really last. You’ll help shape what happens now, and what comes next. And we’ll support and encourage you to be the best you can be.

This is what life at Thorntons is all about. And this is your moment to be part of it.

About the role

As our Legal & Professional Standards Manager, you’ll play a key role in how we manage client relations, maintain regulatory alignment, and uphold the highest standards of professional conduct across the firm. You’ll work closely with senior leaders, colleagues at all levels, and external regulatory bodies—making this a varied and high-impact position from day one. It’s about:

Complaint handling – acting as the first point of contact for any client and non-client complaints, ensuring they’re managed with professionalism, empathy, and efficiency.
Collaborative investigations – working with the Client Relations Partner and other departments to thoroughly investigate complaints and reach fair, balanced resolutions.
Identifying trends – spotting any patterns in complaints and sharing insights that inform wider business improvements.
Driving change – taking ownership of action points resulting from complaints and making sure they lead to meaningful, lasting improvements across the firm.
Standards and policy development – supporting the design and implementation of frameworks that help the firm meet its legal and professional obligations.
Regulatory monitoring – keeping a close eye on changes in legislation and professional standards, ensuring our internal policies stay current and compliant.
External liaison – acting as the main point of contact for regulatory bodies such as the SLCC, the Law Society of Scotland, as well as our brokers and insurers.
Training and awareness – helping deliver engaging training and communications that promote a culture of ethical practice and high standards.
Advice and support – providing trusted guidance on a range of legal and professional standards issues, including conflicts of interest and client confidentiality.
Team leadership – managing and developing a small team within the wider Compliance & Risk function.

What you’ll need

We’re looking for:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills—you can explain complex information clearly, accurately, and with the right tone for each audience.
• A solid understanding of the regulatory landscape for Scottish law firms, including ethical and professional standards.
• Experience of handling complaints, negotiations or regulatory matters—ideally from a legal, compliance, or risk background.
• The ability to conduct fair, thorough investigations and draw out key learning points.
• Confidence in delivering training to different groups, from senior leaders to early career colleagues.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility quickly.
• A calm, empathetic approach to sensitive issues, with good judgement and discretion.
• A degree or equivalent experience, ideally in a legal, compliance, or professional standards role.
• Leadership or team management experience—or the ambition to step into a people leadership role as the team grows.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to juggle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

What we offer

We offer much more than just a competitive salary, and we’re committed to looking after our people in every way. Here’s just some of the benefits available:

•​32 Days Annual Leave (rising with length of service)
•​Contributory Pension Scheme
•​Group Life Assurance
•​Health care cash plan to support everyday health expenses
•​Exceptional maternity, paternity, partner and adoption leave packages
•​Assisted Conception & IVF Leave
•​24-hour wellbeing support
•​Free Legal fees for moving home and life planning
•​Cycle to Work Scheme
•​Gym Discounts
•​Retail Discounts
•​Hybrid Working

Professional development

Access to a wide range of opportunities to build your expertise and advance your career, through courses, specialist accreditations, training, or business skills development.

Belonging

At Thorntons, we embrace diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure that everyone has a positive experience when applying to join us. If you have a disability or are neurodivergent and need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know — we’ll do everything we can to support you.

We work flexibly to meet the needs of our clients and our people. While not every role is the same, most offer a hybrid working pattern. We’ll work with you to agree the right arrangement that supports you, the role, and our clients.

Make the moment matter

If you’re looking for a career with a different kind of law form, this is the moment to find out more - and apply.

Choosing the right company is about more than just the work—it’s about the people, the culture, and the opportunities to grow. At Thorntons Law, we’ve built something different. We’re one of Scotland’s largest and most respected full-service legal firms, but more importantly, we’re a firm that invests in you—your development, your ambitions, and your future.

All you need to do is apply by 25 May and we’ll be in touch.

Apply here or send a CV to opportunities@thorntons-law.co.uk