Why join us?

DWF is seeking a Legal Director to join our nationally recognised Employment team, working alongside some of the most dynamic clients and colleagues in the industry.

Our Employment and Pensions teams operate on a national and international scale, advising a diverse client base ranging from local SMEs to multinational organisations. We work closely with HR professionals, in-house legal teams and senior business stakeholders, delivering strategic and commercially focused employment law advice.

As a Legal Director, you will work on a broad range of high-quality employment matters across multiple sectors. The role offers exposure to complex and varied work, alongside the opportunity to play a key role in client relationships, business development and the ongoing growth of the team.

You will join a supportive, collegiate and collaborative team where knowledge sharing, professional development and career progression are actively encouraged.

While Manchester is the preferred location, we would also welcome candidates based in, or willing to work from, our other Northern offices including Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle, with hybrid working available. Candidates located in other DWF regional offices may also be considered for the right opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, providing strategic and commercially focused advice to employer clients.
• Advise on a broad range of employment law issues, including TUPE, business reorganisations, senior exits, contracts, policies and high-risk employee relations matters.
• Lead on employment law support for corporate transactions, working closely with our Corporate and Commercial teams on mergers, acquisitions and business reorganisations.
• Take ownership of complex Employment Tribunal claims, overseeing litigation strategy, managing key stakeholders and conducting advocacy where appropriate.
• Build, develop and maintain strong relationships with key clients, acting as a trusted adviser and identifying opportunities to deepen and grow those relationships.
• Play a leading role in business development, including networking, pitching, cross-selling opportunities, thought leadership and winning new work.
• Contribute to the strategic growth of the Employment practice, supporting the development and execution of business plans and client growth initiatives.
• Supervise, mentor and develop junior lawyers, fostering a high-performing and collaborative team culture.
• Work closely with colleagues across the Employment, Pensions and wider legal teams to deliver seamless client service and innovative legal solutions.
• Drive excellence in client service delivery, ensuring the highest technical standards while supporting the continued growth and success of the team.