Head of Corporate Law

Head of Corporate

Location: Hale (Greater Manchester)

Salary: £90,000 to £130,000

Experience: 8+ years PQE

Lead and grow a high-performing corporate and commercial function.

Our client is looking to appoint a Head of Company Commercial Department to play a strategic and operational leadership role in driving the firm's corporate legal services. This is a senior opportunity for an experienced corporate lawyer who enjoys combining hands-on fee earning with team leadership, service excellence, and business development.

You will lead a team of solicitors and support staff, supervise complex casework, and take ownership of the department's performance and growth. The working environment is office-based to support collaboration, learning, and day-to-day support.

You will report directly to the Owner and Managing Director and will be part of the senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities
Team leadership and management

• Leading, supervising and mentoring a team of corporate solicitors and paralegals

• Providing technical guidance and oversight on complex matters

• Supporting recruitment, retention and development of high-calibre talent

• Running regular team meetings and 1:1s, encouraging collaboration and a positive culture

Client management and fee earning

• Maintaining and developing a portfolio of corporate clients

• Advising on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including:

• M&A

• Joint ventures

• Shareholder agreements

• Restructures

• Commercial contracts

• Acting as principal advisor on high-value or high-risk matters

• Contributing to billing and financial performance through efficient case management and fee generation

• Ensuring consistent client service standards, responsiveness and professionalism

• Supporting consistent file standards and ways of working, including regular matter reviews

• Supporting billing discipline and timely management of monies on account

Strategic development and compliance

• Contributing to the strategic plan and growth of the department

• Ensuring compliance with SRA requirements and internal policies, including risk management and quality assurance

• Keeping up to date with legal developments and evolving client needs

Business development

• Driving business development initiatives to grow the corporate client base

• Representing the firm at networking and industry events

• Supporting prompt, professional handling of new enquiries and maximising conversion

What We're Looking For

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with a current practising certificate

• 8+ years PQE in corporate law, ideally with leadership or senior management experience

• Strong track record managing complex corporate matters and client portfolios

• Proven experience leading and developing legal teams

• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to contribute to strategic planning

• Experience in business development and client acquisition

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, comfortable advising at board and shareholder level

• Strong organisation, sound judgement, and the ability to manage competing priorities

• Confident with practice management systems and Microsoft Office

Values for Success

• Empathy and a client-first approach

• Tenacity and resilience

• Adaptability and a solutions focused mindset

• Excellence and continuous improvement

• Integrity and strong professional standards

• Accountability and ownership

• Clear, confident communication

What's On Offer

• Employee bonus scheme of up to an additional 10% of salary annually (T&Cs apply)

• Healthcare package including: 24/7 GP access, £100 towards dental treatment per year, £100 towards glasses per year, £250 towards physio per year, annual eye tests, annual hearing tests

• Death in service (4x salary)

• Company pension

• Pet insurance (cats and dogs, subject to conditions)

• Counselling service

• Monthly in office massages (15 minutes per person)

• PureGym membership

• Annual flu jab

• Birthday off work

Working Arrangements

• Office-based working, Hale, Greater Manchester

• Full-time, permanent