Education Sector Corporate Director | Senior Solicitor

eNL; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career progression

Job summary

eNL is seeking a Corporate Solicitor with 8+ years PQE to join its Education team in Cheltenham. The role focuses on acquisitions, disposals and strategic transactions for independent schools and education groups, with counsel on governance and long-term growth.

You will lead matters, mentor juniors, develop client relationships, and help grow the specialist corporate education practice while building a trusted adviser profile.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years PQE with experience in the education sector.
• Strong corporate transactional experience and the ability to lead matters with confidence.
• Experience at Legal Director or Partner level, or readiness to move there.
• Excellent drafting skills and high-quality technical knowledge.
• A commercial approach with practical advice.
• Interest or experience within education and/or charity sectors.
• Business development mindset to turn relationships into opportunities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage with senior stakeholders.
• Collaborative approach to develop colleagues.
• Aspiring to build a recognised personal profile in corporate education.

Responsibilities

• Advise independent schools and education groups on acquisitions, disposals and strategic transactions.
• Support charities and educational organisations with mergers, restructurings and collaborative arrangements.
• Advise on models for long-term sustainability, growth and succession.
• Provide corporate governance and constitutional advice to boards, trustees and senior leadership teams.
• Take responsibility from inception through to completion, working with the Education team.
• Develop long-term client relationships and become a trusted adviser on corporate needs.
• Identify opportunities to introduce clients to other areas of the firm and build referral networks.
• Support the profile of the practice through networking, events and sector-focused thought leadership.
• Play an active role in developing and mentoring junior lawyers.

Skills

8+ PQE

Education sector exp

Corporate transactions

Legal Director level

Drafting skills

Commercial approach

Education/charity interest

Business development

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring juniors

Job description

eNL is seeking a Corporate Solicitor with 8+ years PQE to join its Education team in Cheltenham. The role focuses on acquisitions, disposals and strategic transactions for independent schools and education groups, with counsel on governance and long-term growth.

You will lead matters, mentor juniors, develop client relationships, and help grow the specialist corporate education practice while building a trusted adviser profile.