Head of Corporate Law

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Altrincham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme up to 10% of salary

Healthcare package

Death in service 4x salary

Company pension

Pet insurance

Counselling service

In-office massages

Gym membership

Annual flu jab

Birthday leave

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is recruiting for a Head of Corporate to lead the firm’s company commercial department from Hale, Greater Manchester. This senior role combines hands-on fee earning with strategic leadership, overseeing a team of solicitors and support staff while driving growth and service excellence.

You will report to the Owner and Managing Director, shape the department’s strategy, manage high-value matters such as M&A, restructures and commercial contracts, and push for

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with a current practising certificate.
• 8+ years PQE in corporate law, ideally with leadership or senior management experience.
• Strong track record managing complex corporate matters and client portfolios.
• Proven experience leading and developing legal teams.

Responsibilities

• Leading, supervising and mentoring a team of corporate solicitors and paralegals.
• Providing technical guidance and oversight on complex matters.
• Supporting recruitment, retention and development of high-calibre talent.
• Running regular team meetings and 1:1s, encouraging collaboration and a positive culture.
• Maintaining and developing a portfolio of corporate clients.
• Advising on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including M&A, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, restructures, and contracts.
• Acting as principal advisor on high-value or high-risk matters.
• Contributing to billing and financial performance through efficient case management and fee generation.
• Ensuring consistent client service standards, responsiveness and professionalism.
• Supporting file standards and ways of working, including regular matter reviews and billing discipline.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Business development

Client portfolio management

Commercial acumen

Strategic planning

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Board-level advisory

Practice management systems

Education

Qualified solicitor in England and Wales

Job description

Head of Corporate

Location: Hale (Greater Manchester)

Salary: £90,000 to £130,000

Experience: 8+ years PQE

Lead and grow a high-performing corporate and commercial function.

Our client is looking to appoint a Head of Company Commercial Department to play a strategic and operational leadership role in driving the firm’s corporate legal services. This is a senior opportunity for an experienced corporate lawyer who enjoys combining hands-on fee earning with team leadership, service excellence, and business development.

You will lead a team of solicitors and support staff, supervise complex casework, and take ownership of the department’s performance and growth. The working environment is office-based to support collaboration, learning, and day-to-day support.

You will report directly to the Owner and Managing Director and will be part of the senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

Team leadership and management

• Leading, supervising and mentoring a team of corporate solicitors and paralegals

• Providing technical guidance and oversight on complex matters

• Supporting recruitment, retention and development of high-calibre talent

• Running regular team meetings and 1:1s, encouraging collaboration and a positive culture

Client management and fee earning

• Maintaining and developing a portfolio of corporate clients

• Advising on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including:

• M&A

• Joint ventures

• Shareholder agreements

• Restructures

• Commercial contracts

• Acting as principal advisor on high-value or high-risk matters

• Contributing to billing and financial performance through efficient case management and fee generation

• Ensuring consistent client service standards, responsiveness and professionalism

• Supporting consistent file standards and ways of working, including regular matter reviews

• Supporting billing discipline and timely management of monies on account

Strategic development and compliance

• Contributing to the strategic plan and growth of the department

• Ensuring compliance with SRA requirements and internal policies, including risk management and quality assurance

• Keeping up to date with legal developments and evolving client needs

Business development

• Driving business development initiatives to grow the corporate client base

• Representing the firm at networking and industry events

• Supporting prompt, professional handling of new enquiries and maximising conversion

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with a current practising certificate

• 8+ years PQE in corporate law, ideally with leadership or senior management experience

• Strong track record managing complex corporate matters and client portfolios

• Proven experience leading and developing legal teams

• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to contribute to strategic planning

• Experience in business development and client acquisition

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, comfortable advising at board and shareholder level

• Strong organisation, sound judgement, and the ability to manage competing priorities

• Confident with practice management systems and Microsoft Office

Values for Success

• Empathy and a client-first approach

• Tenacity and resilience

• Adaptability and a solutions‑focused mindset

• Excellence and continuous improvement

• Integrity and strong professional standards

• Accountability and ownership

• Clear, confident communication

What’s On Offer

• Employee bonus scheme of up to an additional 10% of salary annually (T&Cs apply)

• Healthcare package including: 24/7 GP access, £100 towards dental treatment per year, £100 towards glasses per year, £250 towards physio per year, annual eye tests, annual hearing tests

• Death in service (4x salary)

• Company pension

• Pet insurance (cats and dogs, subject to conditions)

• Counselling service

• Monthly in‑office massages (15 minutes per person)

• PureGym membership

• Annual flu jab

• Birthday off work

Working Arrangements

• Office-based working, Hale, Greater Manchester

• Full-time, permanent