Director - Employment

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 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. What will help you succeed in this role? Essential Qualified Solicitor with significant experience in Employment Law gained within a national, international or well-regarded regional practice. A strong track record of providing practical, commercial and strategic advice to employer clients. Experience advising on TUPE, business reorganisations and employment issues arising from corporate transactions and M&A activity. Proven ability to build, develop and maintain strong client relationships, with experience of managing key client accounts. Demonstrable involvement in business development activities, including networking, pitching, cross-selling opportunities and winning new work. Experience supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers and contributing to team growth. Tribunal experience and confidence managing complex employment disputes from inception through to conclusion. Excellent negotiation, drafting and advocacy skills. Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify risks and opportunities for clients. Ability to analyse complex legal issues and provide clear, pragmatic and commercially focused advice. Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines. Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to supporting colleagues and fostering an inclusive team culture. Desirable Existing network of employer contacts and intermediaries within the local market. Experience leading client relationships for national or multi-site organisations. Previous involvement in strategic initiatives, team leadership or practice development. Experience developing and implementing client growth strategies. Track record of winning new business and contributing to revenue growth. What we offer? We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF. We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team. About us DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. Our approach delivers efficiency, price certainty and transparency for our clients across the world without compromising on quality or service. Our purpose is to deliver positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities and we foster a culture that places our colleagues at the centre of all that we do.