Senior Associate / Legal Director

TN United Kingdom; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading law firm in the UK seeks a qualified Solicitor with 8+ years PQE to join their Education team. The role involves advising educational institutions on corporate law, governance, and commercial issues. This position offers significant career advancement opportunities and a competitive rewards package, including flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

30 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Private Healthcare (post-probation)

Long Service holiday award

Scottish Widows Pension Scheme

Profit Share and Salary Sacrifice options

Life Assurance and Permanent Health Insurance

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) day

Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave

Subsidised gym membership

Flexible working policies including hybrid work

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with at least 8 years PQE.
• Experience in the education sector is essential.
• Interest in business development is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise on corporate law and governance for education institutions.
• Conduct legal due diligence and draft transaction documents.
• Provide governance advice and coordinate banking and finance.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Commercial thinking

Analytical thinking

Client service

Education

Qualified Solicitor

Strong academic background

Job description

Job Description

Purpose of the job

To advise higher and further education institutions, training providers, independent schools, academies, and local authorities on a broad range of corporate law, charity law, governance, regulatory, and funding issues.

Advising universities and other education institutions on commercial issues and large corporate projects, including:

• Transactions involving private education institutions such as share sales and asset sales, including private higher education companies, tertiary colleges, nurseries, and schools.
• Legal due diligence, drafting and reviewing transaction documents, disclosure exercises, and ancillary documents.
• Pre- and post-sale reorganisations of private education groups with complex structures.
• Partnerships and collaborations, including franchise, study abroad, and dual award agreements.
• Setting up subsidiary companies and advising on intragroup arrangements.
• Governance advice and constitutional reviews, including obtaining necessary approvals.
• Mergers of education institutions.
• Coordinating banking, finance, real estate, and advising on statutory dissolution.
• Procurement disputes related to education institutions.
• Applications for registration with the Charity Commission and Office for Students.

The candidate

The successful candidate will possess excellent legal knowledge, commercial and analytical thinking skills, and the ability to provide practical advice under pressure. They should be proactive in marketing and practice development, delivering high-quality client service.

Birketts offers a structured career path from Senior Associate to Legal Director, with potential progression to Partner, based on performance and achievements. This role provides significant career development opportunities within a reputable, friendly firm.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated self-starter eager to contribute to and grow within our Education team.

Qualifications/Experience

• Qualified Solicitor with at least 8 years PQE
• Strong academic background
• Experience working within the education sector
• Interest in business development

Equal Opportunities

Birketts offers a competitive rewards package, including a salary, benefits, and a supportive, inclusive work environment. Our benefits include:

• 30 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Long Service holiday award
• Private Healthcare (post-probation)
• Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
• Profit Share and Salary Sacrifice options
• Life Assurance and Permanent Health Insurance
• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) day
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Subsidised gym membership
• Electric car scheme
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Flexible working policies including hybrid work and part-time roles

We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible, agile, and part-time working arrangements.