Senior Employment Solicitor
Location: Manchester
Career Level: Partner/Senior Associate 10+ PQE
Salary: £75,000 - £100,000 + Bonus
Lead and Grow a Thriving Employment Practice
Are you an experienced employment solicitor ready to lead and develop an employment practice in Manchester? Our client, a well-established and highly regarded commercial law firm with offices in Liverpool and Manchester, is seeking a Senior Employment Solicitor at Partner or Senior Associate level to lead their employment offering in Manchester.
This is an exceptional opportunity to take ownership of a practice area, build your client base, and play a pivotal role in the continued growth of a forward-thinking firm. Whether you have an existing client following or a strong network of business and professional contacts in the Manchester area, this role offers the platform and support to build a successful and rewarding career.
For non-partners, there are excellent opportunities for promotion to partnership, making this an ideal role for ambitious solicitors looking to progress to the next level.
The Role
As a Senior Employment Solicitor, you will lead the employment offering in Manchester, managing your own diverse caseload whilst also taking on managerial responsibilities for junior members of the team. You'll report to the firm's Head of Employment but will have the autonomy to develop and grow the practice in the region.
You'll advise corporate clients on the full range of employment matters, from strategic HR advice to complex Employment Tribunal litigation. This is a client-facing role where your technical expertise, commercial acumen, and network will be key to attracting and retaining clients and developing the firm's reputation in the Manchester area.
Your key responsibilities will include:
* Leading the employment practice in Manchester and driving business development
* Managing a varied caseload of employment law matters, both advisory and contentious
* Advising HR teams and boards of corporate clients on employment law, HR policies, and strategic workforce matters
* Handling Employment Tribunal litigation including unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, TUPE, and breach of contract claims
* Advising on complex employee relations issues, restructuring, redundancy, and settlement agreements
* Developing and maintaining strong client relationships and delivering exceptional client service
* Attracting and retaining clients through business development and networking
* Building your network of business and professional contacts in the Manchester area
* Supervising and mentoring junior members of the employment team
* Reporting to the firm's Head of Employment
* Playing an active role in the strategic development of the practice
About You
Essential Requirements:
* 10+ years' PQE (or equivalent experience)
* Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales
* Proven experience in both advisory employment work and Employment Tribunal litigation
* Demonstrable track record of advising HR teams and boards of corporate clients
* Strong technical knowledge across the full range of employment law matters
* Experience handling complex Employment Tribunal claims including discrimination, whistleblowing, TUPE, and unfair dismissal
* Proven ability to attract and retain clients
* Excellent client care skills with a strong commercial approach
* Ambition and drive to lead and develop an employment practice
* Strong managerial and supervisory skills
* Outstanding communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills
Highly Desirable:
* Existing client following
* Strong network of business and professional contacts in the Manchester area
* Business development experience and a proactive approach to generating new work
* Experience in a leadership or senior role within an employment team
* Experience advising on complex restructuring, TUPE transfers, and senior executive matters
Key Attributes:
* Commercially astute with a pragmatic approach to employment matters
* Confident, personable, and able to build rapport with clients and contacts
* Strategic thinker with the ability to see the bigger picture
* Natural leader who can inspire and mentor junior team members
* Ambitious and motivated to progress to partnership (if not already at partner level)
* Proactive and solutions-focused approach to client matters
What's On Offer
Our client is committed to rewarding talent, ambition, and hard work with a competitive remuneration package and genuine opportunities for career progression.
Benefits include:
* Competitive salary: £75,000 - £100,000 (dependent on experience and level)
* Firm-wide bonus scheme for all fee earners
* Excellent partnership opportunities for non-partners
* Hybrid working: up to 2 days per week home/remote working
* Comprehensive contractual benefits package
* Autonomy to lead and develop the employment practice in Manchester
* Supportive and collaborative working environment
* Professional development and career progression opportunities
* Modern, well-equipped offices in Manchester city centre
* Access to a strong network of business and professional contacts
* Opportunities to contribute to the strategic direction of the firm
About Our Client
Our client is a well-established, commercially focused law firm with offices in Liverpool and Manchester, serving clients across the North West and beyond. The firm has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality legal services across a broad range of practice areas, including employment, commercial litigation, property and construction, corporate, insolvency, intellectual property, and sport.
The firm acts for a diverse client base including SMEs across multiple sectors, institutional clients in the financial sector (including asset finance and invoice finance), corporate clients, and insolvency practitioners. With a pragmatic, commercial approach and a commitment to delivering excellent client service, the firm has established itself as a trusted legal partner for businesses throughout the region.
The employment team advises corporate clients on the full spectrum of employment matters, from day-to-day HR advice and policy development to complex Employment Tribunal litigation, restructuring, TUPE transfers, and senior executive matters. You'll be joining a dynamic, ambitious firm that values collaboration, innovation, and excellence.
The firm holds ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 accreditations, reflecting its commitment to quality and information security.
Location
This role is based at our client's Manchester office, located in the heart of the city centre with excellent transport links and access to local amenities. The office offers a modern, professional working environment with the flexibility of hybrid working (up to 2 days per week from home).
How to Apply
If you're an experienced employment solicitor ready to lead and grow a thriving practice in Manchester, we'd love to hear from you. Click apply now or contact lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com or 0333 996 2882