Corporate Legal Director

William James Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 78,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

28 days leave + bank holidays

Private healthcare

Life assurance

Training & development

Additional leave option

Job summary

William James Recruitment in Manchester is seeking an experienced Corporate Legal Director to lead the corporate team and manage complex transactions. You will oversee inception to completion of deals, advise on mergers, private equity, VC investments, and joint ventures.

The role combines high‑quality transactional work with leadership responsibilities, mentoring junior lawyers and developing client relationships.

Qualifications

• Extensive post-qualification experience within a Corporate law team.
• Strong M&A technical expertise across corporate transactions.
• Experience leading matters and managing client relationships with confidence.
• Track record supervising and developing junior fee earners.
• Excellent commercial awareness and strong business acumen.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proactive and entrepreneurial mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex corporate transactions from inception through to completion.
• Advise clients on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, venture capital transactions, management buyouts, restructurings, shareholder arrangements and joint ventures.
• Act as a trusted adviser to business owners, investors, management teams and corporate organisations.
• Take ownership of transaction management, coordinating deal teams and ensuring matters progress efficiently.
• Build and strengthen client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand existing connections.
• Collaborate with specialists across a range of legal disciplines to deliver seamless and commercially focused advice.
• Support, mentor and develop junior lawyers within the team.
• Play an active role in business development, networking and profile-raising activities.

Skills

M&A experience

Corporate law

Client relationships

Leadership

Business acumen

Stakeholder management

Proactive mindset

Job description

Corporate Legal Director - Manchester - Up to £130,000

An ambitious and growing commercial law firm is seeking an experienced Corporate Legal Director to join its established Corporate team in Manchester.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior corporate lawyer looking to combine high-quality transactional work with genuine leadership responsibility. The successful candidate will play a key role in the continued expansion of the Corporate practice, working on complex UK and cross-border transactions while helping to develop both clients and junior team members.

The team advises a broad spectrum of businesses, investors, entrepreneurs and management teams across a variety of sectors, delivering commercially focused advice on significant corporate transactions and strategic business decisions.

The Role:

• Lead complex corporate transactions from inception through to completion
• Advise clients on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, venture capital transactions, management buyouts, restructurings, shareholder arrangements and joint ventures
• Act as a trusted adviser to business owners, investors, management teams and corporate organisations
• Take ownership of transaction management, coordinating deal teams and ensuring matters progress efficiently
• Build and strengthen client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand existing connections
• Collaborate with specialists across a range of legal disciplines to deliver seamless and commercially focused advice
• Support, mentor and develop junior lawyers within the team
• Play an active role in business development, networking and profile-raising activities

About You:

• Extensive post-qualification experience within a Corporate law team
• Strong technical expertise across M&A and a broad range of corporate transactions
• Experience leading matters and managing client relationships with confidence
• A track record of supervising and developing junior fee earners
• Excellent commercial awareness and strong business acumen
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive and entrepreneurial mindset

The Benefits:

• Salary of up to £130,000 depending on experience
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Option to purchase additional annual leave
• Private healthcare and digital GP services
• Life assurance cover
• Ongoing training, leadership development and career progression opportunities