Associate Director - Home Based (Permanent) in Kent, Sevenoaks

Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals and over 600 staff based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client. We are defined by our Next Level Law proposition. We work with our clients as a proactive partner, horizon scanning and thinking ahead to the changes, challenges or opportunities that they may face. Next Level Law is also applied to our people. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 6th best law firm to work at in 2026. With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership. Our Residential Real Estate team sits within our wider Real Estate Division. The team work collaboratively across the Birketts’ offices adopting a “one team” approach in everything they do, with client service at the heart of the practice. Working alongside and developing relationships with local agents including high end property finders and estate agents Acting on mainstream residential conveyancing to support the wider practice Providing technical support to the local team members including overseeing and training of junior team members as the need arises Participating in networking events, conferences and other business development activities to promote the firm’s services Contribute to thought leadership and sector-focused marketing initiatives Birketts has designed a 'Talent Management Framework' which provides a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. As a Legal Director, we typically expect candidates to have a minimum of 8 years PQE. Brings legal expertise, aligns advice with clients’ commercial objectives, directs research effectively, and drafts clear, accurate complex documentation Manages time recording and billing effectively, prices work profitably, supports credit control, meets financial targets. Demonstrates strategic business development, winning new clients, driving high-profile pitches, building a strong regional profile, and identifying cross-selling opportunities across the firm Builds credibility and trust through strong relationships, continuous professional development, and championing positive change Proactively manages risk and compliance tasks, follows best practice, maintains practical Lexcel knowledge, and seeks feedback to drive continuous improvement Professional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client service To be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictation Hybrid Working Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. This role attracts a split of 60% office days and 40% working from home days per week. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application. 30 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays ~ Long Service holiday award – 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service ~ Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed) ~ Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee) ~ Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme ~ Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share) ~ Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance ~ Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave ~ Subsidised gym membership ~ Electric car scheme ~ Dress for your Day Policy You can find out more on our website: At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partn