Corporate Legal Director

BCL Legal; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

National Law Firm in Manchester seeks an experienced Legal Director to lead a high‑quality corporate practice. You will drive significant M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions with substantial client responsibility and day‑to‑day delivery oversight.

You will shape the Manchester corporate team’s growth, collaborate with partners across the national platform, and guide junior lawyers. This role offers autonomy, high‑impact work and a clear path toward partnership.

Qualifications

• Extensive corporate/M&A transaction experience at senior level.
• Proven leadership of teams and mentorship of junior lawyers.
• Commercially minded with strong client relationship capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage significant corporate transactions from instruction to completion.
• Advise on M&A, private equity, restructurings and corporate governance matters.
• Supervise, mentor and develop junior lawyers within the Manchester corporate practice.

Skills

Corporate law

M&A

Private equity

Leadership

Client management

Education

Qualified Solicitor

Job description

Legal Director | Corporate | Manchester

National Law Firm | High-Quality Transactions | M&A, Private Equity & VC | Significant Client Responsibility | Clear Route to Partnership | Excellent Work/Life Balance

We are working with a highly regarded national law firm looking to appoint an experienced and commercially minded Legal Director to play a key role in the continued growth of its Corporate practice in Manchester.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior Corporate lawyer looking for high-quality transactional work, meaningful client responsibility and the opportunity to help shape and develop a growing team. With no current lawyer operating above Legal Director level in Manchester, there is genuine scope for the successful candidate to make the role their own and play a significant part in the future development of the practice.

The Opportunity

You will:

• Lead and manage significant corporate transactions from initial instruction through to completion
• Advise across a broad range of corporate matters, including M&A, private equity and venture capital investments, MBOs, reorganisations, shareholder arrangements and strategic joint ventures
• Act for a diverse client base including private companies, entrepreneurs, management teams, private equity-backed businesses, institutional investors and international organisations
• Work alongside Partners on larger strategic transactions while taking day-to-day responsibility for transaction delivery
• Develop and strengthen key client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of the firm's presence across Manchester and the wider North West
• Supervise, mentor and develop junior lawyers as part of the wider National Corporate team
• Contribute to business development, networking and thought leadership initiatives across the corporate and private equity communities
• Play an active role in shaping the continued growth and development of the Manchester Corporate practice

The Team

• Established and highly regarded Corporate practice with a strong national platform
• High-quality transactional work across M&A, private equity, venture capital and wider corporate matters
• Diverse client base spanning entrepreneurs, private companies, management teams, investors and international organisations
• Excellent recent deal activity across acquisitions, investments and private equity transactions
• Collaborative environment with opportunities to work closely with experienced Partners and lawyers across the wider national team
• Genuine opportunity to take a leading role in the continued development of the Manchester practice
• Clear route to partnership for the right individual

Why Apply?

• Join a highly regarded national Corporate practice
• Work on sophisticated and commercially significant transactions
• Gain exposure to M&A, private equity, venture capital and strategic corporate work
• Take genuine ownership of significant transactions and client relationships
• Play a key role in the growth and development of the Manchester practice
• Benefit from a clear and realistic route to partnership
• Have the opportunity to shape the role and make a genuine impact within the team
• Supervise and develop junior lawyers as part of a supportive national team
• Build your profile across the Manchester and wider North West corporate market
• Benefit from an excellent work/life balance, with a target of approximately 1,100-1,200 hours

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Corporate lawyer with strong technical expertise and a commercially minded approach. You will have a proven track record of handling significant corporate transactions and be confident taking responsibility for clients and matters from instruction through to completion.

This opportunity would particularly suit a senior Corporate lawyer who is looking for greater autonomy, high-quality work and a genuine opportunity to progress towards partnership, while maintaining a strong work/life balance.