Employment Senior Associate / Partner in England

We are looking for a Senior Associate or Partner to join our Employment team in the Southwest, based in our Bristol or Bath office. The role focuses on expanding RWK Goodman’s employment practice in Bristol and the surrounding region, building on the firm’s strong market position.

Senior Associate

As a Senior Associate, you would play a central role in developing and growing the employment offering in Bristol and the surrounding area. You would be involved in driving business development activity, supporting the growth of key client relationships, and contributing to the firm’s profile in the local market. This role would suit an experienced Senior Associate or Director who takes a commercial and entrepreneurial approach and is motivated by the opportunity to help build a team. While an existing client following would be advantageous, it is not essential. The role offers a clear and supported progression pathway, with the opportunity to progress to Partner over time.

Senior Salaried Partner

You would join the firm with an established client following and play a leading role in the continued growth of RWK Goodman’s employment practice in Bristol and the wider Southwest. You would be responsible for strengthening the firm’s market presence, developing and deepening key client relationships, and driving revenue growth. You would also contribute to the strategic development of the Employment team, supporting its expansion and working collaboratively with colleagues across the firm to deliver high-quality advice and service to clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Effective and efficient delivery of work on own matters, ensuring matters are profitable and work is resourced at the right levels.
• Build effective relationships with own clients and/or referrers by exceeding client service expectations and where appropriate, support partners on the management and development of larger key clients.
• Agree services being provided to clients with a clear basis for charging and pricing.
• Demonstrate market/sector knowledge to ensure solid legal advice is given.
• Input and implement ideas into the departmental business plan and demonstrate new business success from the BD activities.
• Expand network of clients and/or referrers and support partners in pursuing target clients, intermediaries and contacts with a view to building a pipeline of new business.
• Develop an internal network of contacts to increase cross-referred work.
• Supervise and coach others within the team, delegating work appropriately and ensuring quality output.
• Develop a clear understanding of department KPIs and performance and your personal contribution towards these.
• Keep abreast of changes in the legal/sector or practice area and input ideas to the department strategy including product/service lines and take responsibility for driving parts of the strategy.

Skills, Experience, Attributes

• 7PQE+
• Solid business plan for growth proposition within the Bristol employment team (Partner).
• Experience of Tribunal litigation is desirable.
• Strong client management skills with a focus on delivery of excellent client service.
• Proven ability to win new business through successful BD activity.
• Ability to manage a small team.

About us

At RWK Goodman, you can enjoy a strong legal career, with exceptional client work. And you’ll be supported, every step of the way. A progressive Top 100 law firm, over 650 colleagues, 36 specialist areas, 3 legal divisions. With offices across the South West, Thames Valley and London. Committed to collaborative growth and shared success, we’re focused on delivering sustained positive change.

Benefits

• 26.5-31.5 days’ holiday per year.
• Buying and selling holiday.
• Healthcare cash plan/private medical insurance.
• Life assurance.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Season ticket loan.
• Discretionary profit and performance-related bonus.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Enhanced family leave.
• Recruitment referral bonus.
• Group income protection.
• Salary reviewed regularly.

We know our people are what sets us apart. That’s why we continue to nurture and develop our colleagues and attract and retain the best talent. We support colleagues with a robust programme of learning and development opportunities, underpinned by our transparent Career Development Framework (CDF), which shows exactly what you need to achieve to grow your career with us.

Inclusive Employer

We’re on a mission to create a dynamic and inclusive culture. And that starts with our recruitment process. If you have a disability, whether visible or not, we want to work with you every step of the way. Because we want to give you the best chance of success when you apply. If you need any reasonable adjustments to accommodate your disability, such as extra time on written assessments, an accessible interview room or a quiet space before and after the interview, please speak to our Recruitment Team so that we can work together to help bring your best self.