Head of Corporate
Location: Hale (Greater Manchester)
Salary: £90,000 to £130,000
Experience: 8+ years PQE
Lead and grow a high-performing corporate and commercial function. Our client is looking to appoint a Head of Company Commercial Department to play a strategic and operational leadership role in driving the firm’s corporate legal services. This is a senior opportunity for an experienced corporate lawyer who enjoys combining hands‑on fee earning with team leadership, service excellence, and business development.
You will lead a team of solicitors and support staff, supervise complex casework, and take ownership of the department’s performance and growth. The working environment is office-based to support collaboration, learning, and day-to-day support. You will report directly to the Owner and Managing Director and will be part of the senior leadership team.
Key Responsibilities
* Team leadership and management
o Leading, supervising and mentoring a team of corporate solicitors and paralegals
o Providing technical guidance and oversight on complex matters
o Supporting recruitment, retention and development of high‑calibre talent
o Running regular team meetings and 1:1s, encouraging collaboration and a positive culture
* Client management and fee earning
o Maintaining and developing a portfolio of corporate clients
o Advising on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including:
+ M&A
+ Joint ventures
+ Shareholder agreements
+ Restructures
+ Commercial contracts
o Acting as principal advisor on high‑value or high‑risk matters
o Contributing to billing and financial performance through efficient case management and fee generation
o Ensuring consistent client service standards, responsiveness and professionalism
o Supporting consistent file standards and ways of working, including regular matter reviews
o Supporting billing discipline and timely management of monies on account
* Strategic development and compliance
o Contributing to the strategic plan and growth of the department
o Ensuring compliance with SRA requirements and internal policies, including risk management and quality assurance
o Keeping up to date with legal developments and evolving client needs
* Business development
o Driving business development initiatives to grow the corporate client base
o Representing the firm at networking and industry events
o Supporting prompt, professional handling of new enquiries and maximising conversion
What We’re Looking For
* Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with a current practising certificate
* 8+ years PQE in corporate law, ideally with leadership or senior management experience
* Strong track record managing complex corporate matters and client portfolios
* Proven experience leading and developing legal teams
* Strong commercial acumen and the ability to contribute to strategic planning
* Experience in business development and client acquisition
* Excellent communication and negotiation skills, comfortable advising at board and shareholder level
* Strong organisation, sound judgement, and the ability to manage competing priorities
* Confident with practice management systems and Microsoft Office
Values for Success
Our client is looking for a leader who consistently demonstrates:
* Empathy and a client-first approach
* Tenacity and resilience
* Adaptability and a solutions-focused mindset
* Excellence and continuous improvement
* Integrity and strong professional standards
* Accountability and ownership
* Clear, confident communication
What’s On Offer
* Employee bonus scheme of up to an additional 10% of salary annually (T&C apply)
* Healthcare package including: 24/7 GP access, £100 towards dental treatment per year, £100 towards glasses per year, £250 towards physio per year, annual eye tests, annual hearing tests
* Death in service (4x salary)
* Company pension
* Pet insurance (cats and dogs, subject to conditions)
* Counselling service
* Monthly in-office massages (15 minutes per person)
* PureGym membership
* Annual flu jab
* Birthday off work
Working Arrangements
* Office-based working, Hale, Greater Manchester
* Full-time, permanent
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