Corporate Partner

William James Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Enhanced pension

Generous annual leave

Bonus scheme

Path to partnership

National client network

Job summary

William James Recruitment is seeking an experienced Corporate Solicitor to lead a broad range of M&A, corporate finance and private equity work in Manchester. The role offers a clear pathway to partnership and a platform within a national firm.

The candidate will advise owner-managed businesses and corporate clients, draft key agreements and provide governance guidance, with hybrid and flexible working options and a strong client base.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with significant corporate experience.
• Senior Associate/Legal Director/Partner level with growth ambitions.
• Experience advising owner-managed businesses and SMEs.
• Commercially astute with strong strategic judgement.
• Collaborative with mentoring capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Leading on a broad range of M&A, corporate finance and private equity transactions.
• Advising owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and corporate clients.
• Drafting and negotiating shareholder agreements, investment agreements and JV arrangements.
• Providing corporate governance advice and strategic commercial guidance.
• Supporting growth, investment, succession planning and exit strategies.
• Developing strong relationships with existing clients and securing new business.
• Building relationships with accountants, lenders and professional referrers.
• Strengthening the firm's profile and market presence in Manchester.
• Contributing to the ongoing growth strategy of the corporate practice.
• Supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers.

Skills

Client relationships

Leadership

Mentoring

Strategic judgement

Problem solving

Education

Solicitor qualification

Job description

Corporate Solicitor / Partner – Manchester - Up to £200,000 + Bonus + Benefits

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Corporate Solicitor to join a well-established national practice and play a leading role in the continued growth of its Manchester corporate offering.

The firm has a strong reputation across the UK, an established client base and extensive referral networks, providing a solid platform from which to develop your practice. This role is ideally suited to a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys building relationships, developing new opportunities and becoming a recognised figure within the North West business community.

As a Corporate Solicitor / Partner, you will take a leading role in growing the firm's corporate presence across Manchester and the wider North West, supported by a collaborative national team and a broad range of complementary practice areas.

For the right individual, there is a clear pathway to partnership and longer-term leadership opportunities, with the autonomy to shape your practice while benefiting from the support and infrastructure of a successful national firm.

The Role

• Leading on a broad range of M&A, corporate finance and private equity transactions
• Advising owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and corporate clients across a variety of sectors
• Drafting and negotiating shareholder agreements, investment agreements, joint venture arrangements and wider corporate documentation
• Providing corporate governance advice and strategic commercial guidance to clients
• Supporting clients through growth, investment, succession planning and exit strategies
• Developing strong relationships with existing clients while identifying and securing new business opportunities
• Building relationships with accountants, lenders, intermediaries and other professional referrers across the North West
• Playing a key role in strengthening the firm's profile and market presence in Manchester
• Contributing to the ongoing growth strategy of the corporate practice
• Supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers within the team

The Candidate

• Qualified Solicitor with significant experience across a broad range of corporate transactions
• Senior Associate, Legal Director or Partner level candidate seeking a platform for further growth
• Proven or developing track record of building client relationships and generating new instructions
• Experience advising owner-managed businesses, SMEs and larger corporate clients
• Commercially astute with strong strategic judgement and problem-solving skills
• Collaborative in approach and comfortable working alongside colleagues across multiple disciplines
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities
• Ambitious and motivated to play a significant role in the continued growth of a national practice

The Benefits & How to Apply

• Competitive basic salary up to £200,000, dependent on experience
• Attractive bonus structure
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Generous annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Clear pathway to partnership and leadership
• Access to a substantial national client base and established referral network
• Opportunity to help shape and grow a key regional corporate practice within a highly regarded national firm