Job title: CQS Senior Reporting Officer
Job type: Permanent
Industry: Legal
Sub-Functional Expertise: Conveyancer
Salary type: Annual
Salary: GBP £60,000.00
Location: London, UK
Job published: 2026-03-24
Job ID: 58064
Contact name: David Hawthorne-Finch
Phone number: +443339962882
Contact email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Job Description

Senior Reporting Officer (SRO) – CQS

Salary: c.£60,000 + bonus

Location: London City Centre

Lead CQS compliance for a growing conveyancing team

Our client, a well-established London law firm, is looking to appoint an experienced Senior Reporting Officer (SRO) for the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). This is a high-trust, senior role with real influence, offering the chance to take ownership of CQS standards, strengthen risk controls, and help shape how a modern conveyancing practice operates.
 
If you enjoy improving processes, raising standards, and being the person the business relies on for CQS oversight, this is a genuinely impactful opportunity.

The Role: What you’ll be responsible for

As the firm’s CQS Senior Reporting Officer, you will take overall ownership of CQS compliance and readiness, ensuring the firm consistently meets the CQS Protocol and Core Practice Management Standards (CPMS).
Key responsibilities include:
  • Leading the firm’s CQS compliance framework, including policies, procedures, and controls
  • Acting as the senior point of contact for CQS-related governance and internal reporting
  • Coordinating CQS renewal activity, evidence gathering, and ongoing readiness
  • Delivering and overseeing file reviews and audits, identifying trends and implementing improvements
  • Supporting the business with risk management, including issue escalation and remediation planning
  • Driving training and awareness across the conveyancing team to maintain consistent standards
  • Working closely with senior leadership to ensure CQS aligns with wider compliance and operational priorities

What we’re looking for

We’re keen to speak with candidates who can demonstrate strong UK conveyancing governance and a clear understanding of what “good” looks like under CQS.
You will ideally have:
  • 5+ years’ UK conveyancing experience (fee-earning, compliance, or operational leadership), with strong exposure to CQS standards
  • Proven experience acting as CQS SRO or as a senior lead supporting CQS compliance (highly desirable)
  • Strong working knowledge of:
    • CQS Protocol and CPMS
    • File auditing and quality assurance
    • Risk controls, process improvement, and compliance reporting
  • The confidence to influence senior stakeholders and implement change across a team
  • A structured, detail-focused approach with strong written communication skills

Working arrangements and location

  • London-based role 
  • Hybrid working available, depending on business needs and seniority
  • Full-time position, with flexibility where appropriate for the right person

Salary and benefits

  • £60,000 base salary (dependent on experience and scope of remit)
  • Bonus (where applicable)
  • Hybrid working
  • 25+ days annual leave plus bank holidays (typical for level, confirmed at offer stage)
  • Pension contribution
  • Professional development support, including CQS-related training and compliance CPD
  • Clear opportunity to broaden remit into wider compliance/operations leadership as the team grows

Career progression

This role offers a clear pathway to increased responsibility, for example:
  • Head of Conveyancing Operations / Practice Governance
  • Wider compliance leadership (depending on existing structure, e.g., supporting COLP/COFA functions)
  • Strategic ownership of firm-wide quality and risk initiatives tied to growth plans

Apply / enquire

To apply or have a confidential discussion, contact:
 
David Hawthorne-Finch
Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions Ltd (H-FTS)
Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com
 
If you’d like, send your CV or a short summary of your current role and CQS exposure, and I’ll come back to you with next steps.
 
Confidentiality: All applications and conversations will be handled in strict confidence. We will never share your details with our client without your explicit consent.