Corporate Solicitor (Associate /Senior Associate)

IPS Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

IPS Group in Manchester seeks an accomplished Corporate Lawyer to lead the Commercial Services team, advising on high-value corporate matters and assisting in business development. The role suits a senior solicitor with strong technical expertise across corporate transactions and a track record in client relationships.

You will work closely with the Head of Commercial to shape strategy, mentor junior lawyers and drive growth within a national practice known for practical, commercially focused

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitors with significant experience in corporate law.
• Extensive experience handling mergers, acquisitions, business restructures and private equity matters.
• Proven track record in business development and client acquisition.
• Exceptional client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and entrepreneurial approach to practice development.
• Experience supervising and mentoring other lawyers.
• Ability to manage a busy caseload while maintaining high client care standards.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive growth of the corporate practice through business development and relationship management.
• Advise on mergers and acquisitions, restructures and private equity transactions.
• Draft, negotiate and review shareholder and investment agreements and other complex documents.
• Act as trusted adviser and primary contact for corporate clients.
• Develop relationships with internal referrers, external partners and stakeholders.
• Support Head of Commercial in delivering strategic objectives and managing team performance.
• Supervise, mentor and develop junior lawyers and trainees.
• Identify opportunities for practice growth and cross-selling across the business.
• Contribute to departmental strategy, marketing and profile-raising.

Skills

Corporate law

Mergers & acquisitions

Business development

Client relationship management

Private equity

Leadership & mentoring

Negotiation

Entrepreneurial practice development

Job description

A highly regarded national legal services provider is seeking an accomplished and commercially astute Corporate Lawyer to join its growing Commercial Services team in Manchester.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior corporate solicitor to play a key role in the continued development of a thriving commercial practice.

Working closely with the Head of Commercial, the successful candidate will help shape the strategic direction of the team, support business growth and lead on a broad range of high-value and complex corporate transactions.

The Firm

Our client is a well-established legal services business with a national presence and an excellent reputation for delivering practical, commercially focused advice to businesses, organisations and individuals across a wide range of sectors.

This Corporate role falls within the main Commercial Services team who advise on the legal issues businesses face every day, including corporate transactions, contracts, intellectual property, data protection and property-related matters. The team is operating in a period of ambitious growth, presenting an outstanding opportunity for a senior lawyer looking to make a significant impact.

The Opportunity

This role offers a blend of high-quality legal work, strategic leadership and business development. The successful candidate will advise on a broad range of corporate matters while helping to drive the firm's growth objectives through client relationship management, team development and new business generation.

The position would suit an experienced corporate or corporate commercial solicitor from in-house or private practice who possesses strong technical expertise, commercial awareness and a proven ability to build and maintain long-term client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the growth of the corporate practice through business development and relationship management initiatives.
• Advise clients on a wide range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, reorganisations, restructures and private equity transactions.
• Draft, negotiate and review shareholder agreements, investment agreements and other complex corporate documentation.
• Act as a trusted adviser and primary point of contact for corporate clients.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with internal referrers, external partners and key stakeholders.
• Support the Head of Commercial in delivering strategic objectives and managing team performance.
• Supervise, mentor and develop junior lawyers and trainees.
• Identify opportunities for practice growth and cross-selling across the wider business.
• Contribute to departmental strategy, marketing and profile-raising activities.
• Maintain responsibility for financial performance, budgeting and profitability targets.

Candidate Requirements

Applications are welcomed from qualified solicitors with significant experience in corporate law who can demonstrate:

• Strong technical expertise across a broad range of corporate transactions.
• Extensive experience handling mergers, acquisitions, business restructures and private equity matters.
• A proven track record of business development and client acquisition.
• Exceptional client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and an entrepreneurial approach to practice development.
• Experience supervising and mentoring other lawyers.
• The ability to manage a busy caseload while maintaining the highest standards of client care.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.

What's on Offer?

• The opportunity to join a growing and ambitious commercial team.
• A senior position with genuine influence over team development and strategic direction.
• Access to high-quality corporate work and an established client base.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Strong career progression prospects within a successful national practice.
• Flexible working arrangements and a commitment to work-life balance.
• A culture that values teamwork, innovation, diversity and professional development.