Legal Director (Employment Law)

Manchester - UK
Full-time
Posted Nov 11, 2026

Apply on employer site

Skills

Leadership
Negotiation

Job description

Legal Director - Employment Law

Manchester | Hybrid Working | Permanent

Shape the Future of Employment Law at Markel

If you're an experienced Employment Lawyer ready to take on a prominent leadership role within a highly regarded Legal 500 employment practice, this is an opportunity to make a genuine impact.

At Markel Law LLP, we're looking for a commercially minded Legal Director to help drive the continued growth and success of our Employment Law team in Manchester. You'll work with major insurer clients, businesses ranging from SMEs to large organisations, and senior decision-makers on some of the most complex and strategically important employment matters in the market.

This role offers far more than managing cases. You'll influence strategy, develop client relationships, mentor talented lawyers, and play a key role in shaping the future direction of a thriving national practice.

Why Join Markel?

At Markel Law LLP, people come first. We combine the strength and stability of a global organisation with the culture of a supportive and collaborative legal practice. As part of our Employment team, you'll benefit from:

•A senior leadership role within a recognised Employment Law practice

•Exposure to high-value contentious and non-contentious employment matters

•A diverse client portfolio spanning insured and private clients

•The opportunity to influence business strategy and practice growth

•Genuine autonomy, trust and flexibility

•A collaborative culture focused on development and continuous improvement

•Access to experienced legal professionals across a national network of offices 2

The Opportunity:

As Legal Director, you'll provide expert, commercially focused employment law advice across a broad spectrum of matters, while acting as a trusted adviser to clients, insurers, HR leaders and senior executives.

Your work will include:

•Leading complex Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal litigation

•Advising on litigation strategy, risk, costs and commercial outcomes

•Managing ACAS Early Conciliation, judicial mediation and settlement negotiations

•Supporting clients on disciplinary, grievance, absence management and discrimination matters

•Advising on restructures, redundancies, collective consultation exercises and TUPE projects

•Drafting and reviewing contracts, service agreements, policies and employment documentation

•Building and developing long-term client relationships

•Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers

•Contributing to business development, networking, tenders and thought leadership initiatives

•Supporting wider departmental strategy and performance objectives.

What We're Looking For:

You'll be a recognised employment law specialist with strong technical expertise and a proven ability to operate at a senior level.

We're particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate:

•Qualification as a Solicitor or Barrister in England & Wales

•Significant post-qualification experience in Employment Law

•A successful track record managing complex contentious and non-contentious matters

•Strong advocacy, negotiation and commercial advisory skills

•Experience advising senior stakeholders, boards and insurers

•Team leadership and people development experience

•Proven business development capability and client relationship management skills

•Commercial awareness and a strategic mindset

•The confidence to influence and build credibility with clients and internal stakeholders alike.

What You'll Receive:

We recognise that exceptional people deserve exceptional support. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career growth and financial future.

Benefits include:

•Competitive salary

•Annual bonus opportunity

•25 days holiday plus bank holidays

•Buy and sell holiday scheme

•Private medical insurance

•Dental cover

•Life assurance

•Income protection

•Generous pension scheme

•Ongoing professional development and learning opportunities

•Flexible and supportive hybrid working environment

About Markel Law:

Markel Law LLP is an independent SRA-authorised legal practice providing specialist legal services across employment, commercial, civil, casualty and regulatory law. With offices across Manchester, Leeds, London and Croydon, our lawyers support businesses, organisations and individuals across the UK. Our legal advice line assists more than 200,000 callers each year and our award-winning Business Hub supports thousands of businesses every day.

As part of the wider Markel Group, a Fortune 500 organisation operating in more than 20 countries, we combine global strength with a people-first culture built on collaboration, integrity and long-term thinking.

Ready to Lead?

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious senior employment lawyer who wants to combine exceptional legal work with leadership, business development and strategic influence.

Join a business where your expertise will be valued, your career can continue to grow, and your contribution will help shape the future of one of the UK's most respected employment law teams.

Apply today to start your next chapter with Markel Law LLP.

At Markel, we are all about the people, celebrating the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

We will ensure that individuals are provided with any reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at rec markel.com or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations or adjustments that may be needed, including alternative formats of documents or information on how to apply offline.

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