Pensions Director/Partner

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Hawthorne-Finch Talent Solutions is seeking a Pensions Director/Partner in Manchester for a senior opportunity within a national pensions practice at a full-service UK law firm. You will lead pensions matters for employers, trustees, and individuals, with backing to grow and shape the team.

You will supervise and mentor lawyers, drive business development, and collaborate across employment and corporate to deliver joined-up advice in a supportive culture. Flexible working is considered.

Qualifications

• Senior-level pensions experience with strong technical capability.
• Established and transferable client following.
• Proven track record of winning work and developing client and referrer relationships.
• Commercial judgement and ability to advise at senior stakeholder level.

Responsibilities

• Lead and advise on pensions matters for employers, trustees and individuals.
• Support clients across defined benefit and defined contribution schemes, governance and regulatory compliance.
• Advise on scheme documentation, corporate transactions, and pensions aspects of wider strategic projects.
• Provide clear, commercial and pragmatic advice on high-value matters.
• Build and sustain client and referrer relationships with a market presence.
• Contribute to business development, thought leadership and profile-raising.
• Collaborate with employment and corporate teams to deliver joined-up advice.
• Supervise, mentor and develop lawyers to build a high-performing team.

Skills

Senior pensions experience

Technical capability

Client following

Winning work

Commercial judgement

Collaborative approach

Education

Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales

Job description

Pensions Director/Partner

Location: Manchester

Salary: £95,000 to £150,000 plus bonus (guideline, depending on following and track record)

Experience: Senior level (Director/Partner), with an established and transferable client following

The Opportunity

This is a senior opportunity for an established Pensions Director/Partner to join a high-performing, national pensions practice within a full-service UK law firm.

You will step into a role with genuine platform and backing to grow, influence strategy and build a team, supported by a collaborative culture and strong cross-referral opportunities across employment and corporate.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading and advising on a broad range of pensions matters for employers, trustees and individuals
• Supporting clients across defined benefit and defined contribution schemes, governance and regulatory compliance
• Advising on scheme documentation, corporate transactions, restructures and pensions aspects of wider strategic projects
• Providing clear, commercial and pragmatic advice on complex, high-value matters
• Building and sustaining client and referrer relationships, with a visible market presence
• Contributing to business development strategy, thought leadership and profile-raising
• Collaborating closely with colleagues across employment and corporate to deliver joined-up advice
• Supervising, mentoring and developing lawyers, helping shape a high-performing team

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales
• Senior-level pensions experience with strong technical capability
• Established and transferable client following
• Proven track record of winning work and developing client and referrer relationships
• Commercial judgement, strong communication and confidence advising at senior stakeholder level
• Collaborative approach and genuine interest in developing others

Desirable

• Experience advising on PPF-related processes and public-sector arrangements
• Track record of building teams and shaping practice strategy

What’s On Offer

• Salary guideline £95,000 to £150,000 plus bonus (depending on following and track record)
• A genuine opportunity to shape and grow a pensions practice within a national platform
• High-quality, strategic work with a broad UK client base
• Strong cross-referral opportunities across a full-service firm
• Supportive, inclusive culture with clear progression and leadership backing
• Flexible working considered

About Our Client

Our client is a large, full-service UK law firm with a national footprint and a strong reputation for high-quality advice and long-term client relationships. The pensions team sits within a wider employment, pensions and immigration practice and advises across the full spectrum of pensions work, with a clear focus on pragmatic, commercial outcomes.

The culture is collaborative and people-focused, with a genuine commitment to wellbeing, recognition and development. This is a firm where senior lawyers are supported to build, lead and thrive.

Location & Working Arrangements

• Manchester
• Full-time, permanent role
• Flexible working considered