Job Title: Legal Director – Employment
Location: Birmingham (Hybrid)
PQE: 7+ years
The Opportunity
This is a strategic hire for a high-calibre Employment lawyer to join a growing, commercially focused firm in Birmingham. The role is aimed at an ambitious senior lawyer operating at, or ready to step into, Legal Director level, with the capability to lead on complex matters, drive revenue, and play a visible role in the firm’s growth.
You will work closely with senior stakeholders and Partners, advising on sophisticated employment issues for a broad client base, while contributing directly to the expansion and profile of the Employment practice alongside well renowned Partners currently in place.
The Role
You will take ownership of a demanding and high-value caseload, acting for employers and senior executives on complex and often sensitive matters. This is a fast-paced environment requiring strong technical ability, commercial judgement, and the confidence to operate as a senior point of contact for clients.
Key responsibilities include:
* Leading on complex contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
* Managing Employment Tribunal litigation, including high-risk and reputationally sensitive claims.
* Advising on business-critical issues including TUPE, restructures, redundancy programmes, and exits.
* Drafting and negotiating high-value settlement agreements.
* Advising on restrictive covenants, team moves, and confidential information disputes.
* Supporting corporate transactions with employment law input.
* Delivering clear, strategic, and commercially focused advice to clients.
* Acting as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders within client organisations.
Leadership & Growth Expectations
This is not purely a fee-earning role. You will be expected to contribute meaningfully to the growth and direction of the practice.
* Drive business development activity and build your own client relationships.
* Identify and capitalise on cross-selling opportunities across the firm.
* Support and develop junior lawyers, contributing to a high-performance team culture.
* Work with Partners on strategic growth initiatives within the Birmingham market.
* Enhance the firm’s profile through networking, events, and thought leadership.
Candidate Profile
* Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with 7+ years’ PQE in Employment Law.
* Strong track record handling complex tribunal litigation and advisory work.
* Demonstrable experience acting for employer clients in a commercial environment.
* Proven ability to manage significant client relationships and generate work.
* Confident operating with autonomy at a senior level.
* Experience supervising and developing junior team members.
* Commercially astute, with a strong understanding of client drivers and risk.
Personal Attributes
* Ambitious, driven, and commercially minded.
* Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence internally and externally.
* Resilient and comfortable operating in a high-performance environment.
* Solutions-focused with excellent judgement under pressure.
* Credible, confident communicator with strong negotiation skills.
What’s on Offer
* High-quality, complex Employment work.
* Clear route to Partnership
* Genuine autonomy and influence within a growing team.
* Competitive remuneration aligned to performance and experience.
* Flexible working model within a results-driven culture.
If this could be of interest, please get in touch with Rory Brand at Simpson Judge today for a confidential chat.