At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex regulatory matters and mentor junior lawyers in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Markel Law, part of a global Fortune 500 group with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, flexible working, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a nationally recognised practice while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Senior Associate or Partner with expertise in crime/regulatory law and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At Markel Law, we don’t just advise on risk; we help businesses navigate their most complex and high-stakes challenges with confidence. We’re now looking for a senior Crime & Regulatory lawyer ready to step into a Legal Director level role, combining technical excellence, leadership, and commercial impact.
The role is to provide input into the strategic leadership, development and growth of the crime and regulatory team, while managing a varied case load as the day-to-day contact on cases and as a supervisor to more junior colleagues. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the direction of a nationally recognised practice while working on some of the most interesting and varied matters in the market.
What makes this role different? You’ll join a highly ranked Crime & Regulatory team (Legal 500 & Chambers) working across a broad and complex caseload, including:
- Inquests and public inquiries
- Professional discipline
- Police gross misconduct investigations
- Health & safety, environmental and licensing matters
- Entity regulation (including Ofsted & CQC)
But this role goes beyond casework. You’ll be empowered to:
- Influence strategy and growth of the practice
- Build and deepen client and insurer relationships
- Develop and mentor lawyers
- Play a key role in expanding our Manchester presence
The role: As a Legal Director, you will:
- Lead on complex, high-value regulatory matters, including advocacy where appropriate
- Be a technical specialist to deal with complex inquests and fitness to practise cases, undertaking own advocacy and supporting and developing juniors
- Provide commercial, pragmatic advice to businesses and individuals (insured and uninsured)
- Support the strategic direction and growth of the Crime & Regulatory team
- Build strong relationships with insurers, clients and internal partners
- Supervise, develop and inspire junior lawyers
- Contribute to business development, marketing and thought leadership
- Take ownership of financial performance, important metrics and profitability
What we’re looking for: You’re likely to be:
- A Senior Associate, Legal Director or Partner specialising in crime/regulatory law
- Technically strong across multiple regulatory disciplines
- Commercially minded, with a track record in client development and growth
- Experienced in working with insurance-backed work or complex participant environments
- A confident leader who enjoys developing people and building teams
Most importantly, you’ll bring the ambition and credibility to help take this practice to the next level.
Why Markel Law? We’re part of a global Fortune 500 group, but we operate with the agility and culture of a specialist firm.
- Work with a high-quality, diverse client base including SMEs, corporates and professionals
- Access to a strong pipeline of work via insurance partnerships and internal referrals
- Be part of a collaborative, people-first culture
- Play a genuine role in shaping the future of the team and wider business
What you’ll get:
- Competitive salary + great bonus
- 25 days holiday (with buy/sell options)
- Pension, private medical & dental
- Life assurance and income protection
- Flexible working and genuine work/life balance
- A clear platform for progression and influence
Ready to make an impact? If you’re looking for a leadership role where you can combine top-tier legal work with real strategic influence, we’d love to hear from you.
We will ensure that individuals are provided with any reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at rec@markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed, including alternative formats of documents or information on how to apply offline.
We are all about the people, celebrating the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.
Legal Director in Manchester employer: Markel
Markel is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, annual bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a fantastic pension scheme and health coverage. With a strong commitment to diversity and employee growth, Markel fosters a culture that encourages professional development and values contributions from all backgrounds.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Director in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal field, especially those who work in crime and regulatory law. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn – you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your technical skills and leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've influenced strategy or mentored junior lawyers – it’ll set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to firms like Markel Law that interest you. Express your enthusiasm for their work and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. It shows initiative and can really make a positive impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the firm’s recent cases and their approach to crime and regulatory matters. Tailor your questions to show you’re genuinely interested in their work and how you can contribute to their growth. This will demonstrate your commitment and help you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Director in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Director role. Highlight your experience in crime and regulatory law, and don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can shape and build something exceptional with us!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:As a senior lawyer, it’s crucial to demonstrate your technical excellence. Include specific examples of complex cases you've handled, especially those involving inquests or regulatory matters. This will help us see your capability to lead on high-value matters.
Emphasise Leadership Experience:We’re looking for someone who can inspire and develop junior lawyers. Share instances where you’ve mentored others or led a team. This will show us that you’re not just a legal expert but also a confident leader ready to take our practice to the next level.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Markel
✨Know Your Stuff
As a Legal Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your technical expertise in crime and regulatory law. Brush up on recent cases and legislation relevant to the role, especially those involving inquests and public inquiries. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the field.
✨Show Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities, so be prepared to share examples of how you've developed and mentored junior lawyers in the past. Think about specific instances where you’ve influenced strategy or contributed to team growth, as this will highlight your capability to lead the Crime & Regulatory team effectively.
✨Build Relationships
Markel Law values client and insurer relationships, so come ready to discuss how you’ve successfully built and maintained these connections in your previous roles. Share strategies you’ve used to deepen these relationships and how they’ve positively impacted your work and the firms you’ve been part of.
✨Be Commercially Minded
The role isn’t just about legal expertise; it’s also about commercial impact. Prepare to talk about how you’ve provided pragmatic advice to clients and contributed to business development. Highlight any experience you have with insurance-backed work or complex participant environments, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
