Banking & Finance Partner / Legal Director in Reading

Job Description

Banking & Finance Partner / Legal Director

Location: Reading Area

Salary: c.£110,000 – £140,000 + Equity/Partner Profit Share & C-Suite Backing

Are you an accomplished Banking & Finance Partner or Senior Director with an established client following, seeking the strategic authority, autonomy, and firm backing to establish and lead a flagship Banking & Finance practice across Reading and the Thames Valley? Our client is a dynamic, commercially minded national law firm expanding its South East presence and known for doing law differently—putting authentic client relationships and cross-departmental collaboration at the heart of its business. Expanding its commercial practice across the region's thriving corporate and tech corridor, they are seeking an entrepreneurial Banking & Finance Partner (8+ PQE) with a portable client base to establish and lead a standalone offering serving institutional lenders, challenger banks, funds, and corporate borrowers nationwide.

The Opportunity

In this high-profile equity-track position, you will leverage your existing client connections and take lead operational responsibility for establishing and scaling the firm's Reading-based Banking & Finance practice. Supported directly by C-Suite leadership, senior partners, and a dedicated marketing engine, you will deliver sophisticated transactional and advisory advice across real estate finance, acquisition finance, development finance, and asset-based lending. Designed for a commercially sharp practitioner with a proven track record of fee generation who wants to build a practice rather than simply maintain one, this role offers direct strategic influence, a lucrative profit distribution model, and full cross-referral backing across property, corporate, and insolvency practice groups.

Key Responsibilities & Requirements

• Qualifications & Experience: Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales) with a minimum of 8+ years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) specialising in banking and finance law within a recognised UK practice.

• Portable Client Following: Demonstrable track record of fee generation and an established, portable client following (clearing banks, alternative lenders, private equity funds, or corporate borrowers) to anchor and scale the practice (essential).

• Broad Transactional Expertise: Comprehensive technical knowledge of drafting and negotiating facility agreements, security documents, intercreditor agreements, and guarantees across real estate finance, development finance, acquisition finance, and general corporate lending.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Strategic capability to work seamlessly with real estate, corporate, and restructuring teams on matters with complex debt finance dimensions.

• Leadership & Growth Mindset: Entrepreneurial drive to recruit, mentor, and build a dedicated banking team in Reading as department instruction volumes scale.

Package & Working Structure

• Competitive Remuneration: £110,000 – £140,000 base compensation per annum (commensurate with PQE, Thames Valley market standing, and portable following) plus attractive Partner profit share / equity distribution options.

• Agile & Hybrid Structure: Modern hybrid working policy based out of Reading—built on trust, allowing you to choose the environment where you work best.

• Comprehensive Healthcare & Benefits: Private Medical Insurance (Vitality), Cash Plan (Medicash), salary sacrifice pension scheme (NEST), and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) extended to family members.

• Leave & Flexibility: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off (increasing with service), and enhanced wellbeing and family-friendly policies.

• Culture & Perks: Direct C-Suite and Senior Partner access from day one, regular CSR events, seasonal celebrations, referral bonuses, free fruit/drinks, and regular team lunches.

How to Apply

To discuss this opportunity in complete confidence or request a full position profile, please contact David Hawthorne-Finch directly:

• Email: d.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. All applications and enquiries are treated with the strictest confidence, and candidate details are never shared without prior express consent.