Partner / Legal Director – BRISTOL or HYBRID WORKING – Employee Incentives – COMPETITIVE – HS0172

Our client, a highly regarded and fast-growing UK law firm, is seeking an experienced Partner or Legal Director to join its successful Corporate division, with a particular focus on the continued expansion of its specialist Employee Incentives practice.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior lawyer with strong technical expertise and commercial drive to join an ambitious team with a national reputation in this space. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the next phase of growth for the practice, particularly in the Bristol market, while working alongside an established and highly respected wider Corporate and Tax team.

The Opportunity

The Employee Incentives team advises a broad range of clients, from start-ups and scale-ups through to listed and international businesses. The team works closely with business owners, founders, boards, trustees, and senior executives on strategic incentive and ownership matters.

Key areas of work include:

• Advising on the design, selection, and implementation of equity and cash incentive arrangements
• HMRC-approved and tax-efficient share plans, including EMI, CSOP, SIP and SAYE
• Growth share plans, nil paid arrangements, and long-term incentive plans (LTIPs)
• Employee Benefit Trusts
• Incentive arrangements in the context of terminations, restructures, and corporate transactions
• Advising founders, trustees, and executives on Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs)

The Role

This appointment offers the opportunity to become a key senior member of a highly successful and growing specialist team. You will be instrumental in developing the practice further, supporting client relationships, winning new work, and helping to build the profile of the team regionally and nationally.

Responsibilities will include:

• Leading on complex employee incentives and share scheme matters
• Managing and growing key client relationships
• Supporting the growth of the Bristol office and wider Corporate / Tax offering
• Mentoring and developing junior lawyers within the team
• Identifying and converting new business opportunities
• Attending networking events and supporting pitches / tenders
• Producing thought leadership content and raising market profile
• Collaborating with colleagues across Corporate, Tax, Employment and Private Client teams

About You

• Qualified solicitor with 8+ years PQE (10+ years preferred)
• Strong technical background in Employee Incentives / Share Schemes / Reward matters
• Proven experience advising a range of corporate clients, founders, and senior stakeholders
• Strong relationship management and business development skills
• A genuine interest in helping grow and develop a successful team
• Commercially minded with a proactive and entrepreneurial approach
• Leadership capability with experience mentoring and developing others

Why Apply?

• Senior strategic role within a highly respected and growing law firm
• Opportunity to shape and expand a market-leading Employee Incentives practice
• High-quality client base ranging from entrepreneurial businesses to listed companies
• Genuine progression and leadership opportunity
• Collaborative culture with flexible / hybrid working

If you are an experienced Employee Incentives lawyer considering a move at Partner or Legal Director level, we would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with you in complete confidence.