At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the Employment Team, shaping its direction and ensuring high client service standards.
- Company: Birketts, a top UK law firm with a strong commitment to community and diversity.
- Benefits: 30 days holiday, private healthcare, hybrid working, and performance bonuses.
- Other info: Flexible working model with a focus on professional development and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in employment law while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong expertise in employment law and proven client relationship skills.
The predicted salary is between 99000 - 121000 £ per year.
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. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. 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 42% of our partnership.
We have an excellent opportunity for a senior employment lawyer to join us as a Partner within our highly regarded Employment Team, based in our Chelmsford office. The successful candidate will play a key role in the continued growth and development of the practice, working with a strong client base across a broad range of sectors.
As part of a planned succession within the Chelmsford office, this role will include responsibility for the day-to-day management and leadership of the Employment Team in Chelmsford. The successful candidate will take a central role in shaping the direction of the team, supporting its continued development, and ensuring high standards of client service, supervision and team collaboration.
The successful candidate will bring strong technical expertise across the full spectrum of employment law, proven experience in developing client relationships, and the ability to contribute to strategic business planning at a senior level. We are looking for someone who is commercially focused, collaborative, and committed to maintaining the excellent reputation of the team and the wider firm.
Sectors in which we work include education, financial services, construction, transport and private client/agriculture, charities and public sector. Particular areas of expertise sought include:
- General employment issues ranging from maternity rights to general contractual issues.
- Transactional corporate support work.
- Wrongful and unfair dismissal.
- Restrictive covenant enforcement and defence.
- Advice to Executives on joining and exiting appointments.
- Redundancy and restructuring.
- Transfer of Undertakings.
- Awareness of boardroom disputes and severance claims.
- Employment litigation in the employment tribunal.
- Discrimination (including sex, race, disability and age).
- Trade union work for employers.
- Professional Discipline and conduct, including advising professional conduct/fitness to practice panel.
Management responsibilities include:
- Drives efficient time recording, profitable pricing, strong cash flow, and team gross profit delivery.
- Leads business development and high-profile pitches, builds a strong market presence, wins new clients, and drives cross-selling opportunities.
- Delivers exceptional project and client management, consistently meeting expectations through strong communication and deep client understanding.
- Builds trust through strong relationships, continual professional development, clear communication of vision, and championing positive change.
- Demonstrates strong risk management, supports junior staff, upholds Lexcel standards, and maintains high compliance and file review performance.
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.
As a Birketts colleague, you will be eligible to receive a wide range of benefits:
- 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.
- Paid CSR Day.
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave.
- Subsidised gym membership.
- Electric car scheme.
- Dress for your Day Policy.
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. Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.
Locations
Tax Partner (Permanent) in Chelmsford, Essex employer: Birketts
Birketts is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and collaboration. With a focus on high-net-worth clients in the picturesque city of Cambridge, our Senior Private Client Lawyers benefit from a hybrid working environment, competitive remuneration, and opportunities for professional development within a prestigious law firm recognised for its expertise in private client matters.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tax Partner (Permanent) in Chelmsford, Essex
✨Join Tax Networks
Get involved in tax-focused networks or associations, like the Chartered Institute of Taxation. These communities often host events and workshops which can help you make connections with industry professionals, plus they might even have job boards exclusive to members.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for tax-related conferences and seminars. Events like these are not only great for learning but also for meeting potential employers face-to-face. Use these opportunities to ask questions and express your interest; it’s all about putting a face to the name!
✨Leverage Social Media
Follow leading tax advisory firms, such as Birketts, on social media. Engage with their posts – comment, share insights, or even ask questions. This can help you get noticed and show your enthusiasm for the industry before you even apply!
✨Showcase Your Knowledge
Consider writing articles or blogs on tax trends and issues. Sharing your expertise on platforms like LinkedIn can boost your visibility and establish you as someone who is serious about a career in tax advisory. Plus, it gives you something to discuss when you land that interview!
We think you need these skills to ace Tax Partner (Permanent) in Chelmsford, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tax Knowledge:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant tax qualifications, certifications, or coursework you've completed. We want to see that you understand tax laws, regulations, and compliance issues—so detail your academic background or any practical experience in tax advisory to catch Birketts's eye!
Quantify Your Achievements:In the tax consultancy field, showing measurable outcomes from your previous work can set you apart. Use your CV to include specific examples of how your advice helped clients save money or avoid penalties. Numbers speak volumes in our industry and can really highlight your impact.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express why you're passionate about tax consultancy and why you're excited about working at Birketts. Share any personal experiences or insights that fuel your interest in the tax advisory field—let your enthusiasm shine through!
Keep It Professional but Approachable:While your written application should maintain a professional tone, don’t be afraid to let a bit of your personality show. Tax advisory is about building relationships, so if you can convey your approachable nature in your writing, that's a bonus when applying for this full-time role at Birketts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Birketts
✨Know Your Tax Fundamentals
Brush up on the core principles of tax law, especially recent updates that might affect clients. During the interview, we could face scenario-based questions where we'll need to apply these principles to solve problems, so get comfy with hypothetical situations!
✨Show Your Analytical Skills
Tax advisory isn't just about knowing the rules; it’s about interpreting them. Make sure to prepare examples from your previous studies or experiences where you successfully analysed complex data. We want to demonstrate how we can bring those analytical skills to the table for Birketts.
✨Understand the Consulting Aspect
Since this is a full-time role, the interview might involve discussing how we communicate tax strategies to clients. Think about times we've interacted with clients or presented technical information in a digestible way. This shows we’re not just tax boffins but can also connect with people!
✨Your Long-Term Vision
As we're aiming for a full-time position, it's important to convey our enthusiasm and long-term interest in tax advisory. Be prepared to chat about why we’re passionate about this field and how we see ourselves growing within Birketts. It helps to show our commitment!
