Employment Law Director — Strategic Client Leadership

DWF; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

DWF is seeking a Legal Director to lead our Employment team from Manchester with hybrid working. You will manage high‑quality employment matters across sectors, build senior client relationships, and drive business growth for the team.

You will shape strategy, supervise junior lawyers, and collaborate across Employment, Pensions and wider teams to deliver exceptional client service and innovative legal solutions.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with significant employment law experience.
• Proven practical, commercial and strategic advice to employer clients.
• Experience advising on TUPE, business reorganisations and employment issues arising from corporate transactions and M&A.
• Proven ability to build, develop and maintain strong client relationships, with experience of managing key client accounts.
• Demonstrable involvement in business development activities, including networking, pitching and winning new work.
• Experience supervising, mentoring and developing junior lawyers and contributing to team growth.
• Tribunal experience and confidence managing complex employment disputes from inception through to conclusion.
• Excellent negotiation, drafting and advocacy skills.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify risks and opportunities for clients.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, providing strategic and commercially focused advice to employer clients.
• Advise on a broad range of employment law issues, including TUPE, business reorganisations, and senior exits.
• Lead on employment law support for corporate transactions, working with Corporate and Commercial teams on mergers and reorganisations.
• Take ownership of complex Employment Tribunal claims and oversee litigation strategy.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, acting as a trusted adviser.
• Drive business development, networking, pitching, cross-selling opportunities and winning new work.
• Contribute to strategic growth of the Employment practice and client growth initiatives.
• Supervise, mentor and develop junior lawyers, fostering a high-performing team culture.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Employment, Pensions and wider teams to deliver seamless client service.

Skills

Employment Law

Client Relationships

Business Development

Team Leadership

Tribunal Experience

Negotiation

Drafting

Advocacy

M&A / Corporate Transactions

Education

Solicitor Qualification

Job description

DWF is seeking a Legal Director to lead our Employment team from Manchester with hybrid working. You will manage high‑quality employment matters across sectors, build senior client relationships, and drive business growth for the team.

You will shape strategy, supervise junior lawyers, and collaborate across Employment, Pensions and wider teams to deliver exceptional client service and innovative legal solutions.