Legal Director

Overview

In this Legal Director role within Birketts’ Employment Team, you drive high-quality employment law service for a broad client base, including multinational organisations. You lead and develop a team, nurture key client relationships, and contribute to firm strategy and thought leadership. You’ll handle complex issues from boardroom disputes to cross-border matters, combining technical excellence with a commercial mindset. This hybrid role offers flexibility and a pathway to shape the firm’s employment practice and client outcomes.

Pay / Benefits

• 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Long service holiday reward
• Private Healthcare with BUPA
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
• Staff Profit Share and Bonus Scheme
• Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of junior lawyers, fostering collaboration
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Contribute to thought leadership and sector-focused marketing
• Advise on general employment issues from maternity rights to contractual matters
• Draft and review employment policies and procedures
• Represent senior executives on recruitment, remuneration, exits and disputes
• Draft, review, and negotiate employment contracts, executive service agreements, and incentive plans
• Advise on restrictive covenants, confidentiality, and business protection
• Be aware of boardroom disputes and severance claims; advise on employment litigation
• Handle international employment matters and cross-border projects with overseas counsel coordination
• Conduct settlement negotiations and draft settlement agreements
• Perform additional duties as needed by line manager

Key requirements

• Minimum of 8 years PQE (guidance, not determinative)
• Ability to supervise and develop a team
• Business development acumen with client-growth experience
• Strong attention to detail and high-quality output
• Professional integrity and excellent client service
• Competence in Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook, and digital dictation

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Commercially aware
• Client-focused service orientation
• Employment law expertise (contentious and non-contentious)
• Drafting and negotiating employment contracts and policies
• Advising on restrictive covenants and confidentiality

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