Main informationTerm Type: PermanentFulltime: TrueExternal Department: Employment Location Text: LondonAbout usBirketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning over 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals 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 and opportunities 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. 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 Responsible Business strategy.
Birketts is a certified B Corporation, and diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 45% of our partnership as of 1 April 2026.The team you will joinOur Employment Team sits within the wider Corporate Division. The team specialise in all aspects of employment law facing employers and HR professionals - from everyday operational challenges through to advising on strategic issues.
Do not pass up this chance, apply quickly if your experience and skills match what is in the following description.
The team currently comprises of specialist qualified employment law solicitors, including partners, working across all offices, making us one of the larger employment teams across the East and South. We have the strength and depth of expertise to ensure we deliver the service you would expect in respect of technical quality, practical approach, and timeliness of advice.
Birketts' Employment Team has experience in all areas of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, representing clients from a broad range of public and private organisations as well as senior executives. We are proud to act for sector leading clients nationwide and some important and high-profile businesses and institutions across a number of key sectors.
Our employment advice is supplemented by a well-developed in-house employment client training offering (known as Shaping Excellence), an immigration team, an employee incentives group and Resolve, which consists of an HR consultancy service, a workplace investigations service and a team of accredited mediators.
The work you will be doingThe role holder will be responsible for maintaining and growing client relationships, ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services and contributing to the strategic direction and success of the firm.
You will be commercially astute, technically excellent, and confident in managing complex transactions and an enthusiastic team. You will be expected to: Play a key role in the growth and development of the teamLeading and mentoring a team of junior lawyers, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. Build and maintain strong client relationshipsContribute to thought leadership and sector-focused marketing initiativesAdvising on general employment issues ranging from maternity rights to general contractual issuesDrafting and reviewing employment policies ranging from performance, sickness, and misconduct procedures to maternity and parental leave schemes.
Acting for senior executives in relation to recruitment, service agreements, remuneration arrangements, exits, boardroom disputes and negotiated departures.
Drafting, reviewing and negotiating employment contracts, executive service agreements, bonus arrangements, incentive plans and workplace policies.
Advising on restrictive covenants, confidentiality obligations, team moves and the protection of business interests, including enforcement action where appropriate.
Awareness of boardroom disputes and severance claims Employment litigation in the employment tribunal Advising multinational organisations on international employment law issues, including cross-border employment matters, global workforce projects, international restructurings and the coordination of advice from overseas counsel.
Conducting settlement negotiations and drafting settlement agreements on behalf of employersPlease note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.
What we are looking forBirketts 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.Ability to supervise and mentor team members and contribute to team developmentBusiness development acumen with experience in growing a client base and identifying new business opportunities.
Strong attention to detail to produce work documentation which is consistently of a high standardProfessional integrity and a commitment to providing excellent client serviceTo be competent in using Microsoft Word, Excel, time recording software, case management, Outlook and digital dictationAny information provided in relation to PQE should be used for guidance only and will not be determinative in the recruitment decision. Applicants will be considered on their individual merits. Hybrid WorkingBirketts 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.
BenefitsAs 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 servicePrivate 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 InsurancePaid CSR DayEnhanced Maternity/Paternity LeaveSubsidised gym membershipElectric car schemeDress for your Day PolicyYou can find out more on our website: Inclusivity and CultureAs a B Corporation, 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.
If you require this advert in an accessible format, please visit Intelligence (AI)At Birketts, we recognise the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and recruitment. We welcome innovation and understand that candidates may use AI tools to support their job applications. However, we expect all applicants to use AI responsibly and ethically.
Our expectations regarding AI use in applications: Your application should reflect your own voice, experiences, and insights. AI may assist in structuring or refining your responses, but it must not replace your personal input.
Do not use AI to misrepresent your qualifications, experiences, or skills. Any form of exaggeration or fabrication may result in rejection from the process.
If you have used AI tools to assist with your application, be prepared to discuss how and why you used them during the interview process.
Do not submit content generated by AI tools that may include personal or sensitive data not intended for public disclosure. AI-generated content should be reviewed and edited by you to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with the role and our firm's values. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment practices. The use of AI should enhance, not compromise, your application. xohmjla We encourage candidates to demonstrate critical thinking, commercial awareness, and a genuine interest in our firm.
If you have any questions about our expectations or the use of AI in your application, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team via
Legal Director in Vauxhall employer: Birketts
Birketts is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration across its offices in Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Bristol, and Sevenoaks. With a strong commitment to employee development, a flexible hybrid working model, and a culture that prioritises inclusivity and community impact, we empower our team members to thrive while contributing to meaningful legal solutions. Our comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare, generous holiday allowances, and performance bonuses, further enhances the rewarding experience of being part of our esteemed law firm.
