Employment Director

Talbots Law is expanding its Employment team and is looking for an experienced Employment Director to join our Coventry office at a pivotal stage of growth. This is a rare opportunity for a senior employment lawyer with strong technical expertise, leadership capability and commercial ambition to play a key role in developing and growing our Employment offering across both established and emerging Talbots locations.

As a senior leader within the department, you will work closely with the Head of Department to drive the continued growth of our Employment and HR services, helping to develop our presence in developing geographies across the firm's regional footprint. You'll inherit a strong platform, established brand and cross-referral opportunities, while having the autonomy and influence to build client relationships, develop new markets and shape the future direction of the team.

This role offers the opportunity to advise a broad range of employer and employee clients on high-quality privately funded matters, while also taking an active leadership role in mentoring colleagues, developing talent and contributing to the commercial success of the department.

As one of the region's largest independent law firms, Talbots offers the client base, infrastructure and cross-referral opportunities to grow an established practice. You'll have genuine influence over strategy, people and future growth and share directly in the success you help create.

What does the job involve?

• Leading and developing the Employment team's offering in Stoke-on-Trent while supporting growth across other Talbots locations.
• Advising employers and employees on a full range of employment law and HR matters, including disciplinary and grievance procedures, redundancies, discrimination, TUPE, settlement agreements and employment status issues.
• Managing a varied caseload of contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
• Representing clients in ACAS Early Conciliation and Employment Tribunal proceedings.
• Providing employment law support on corporate transactions and working closely with colleagues across the wider Commercial teams.
• Playing a key role in business development initiatives, relationship building and increasing the department's client base.
• Mentoring and developing junior lawyers and contributing to the ongoing growth and success of the Employment team.

What do you need?

• Significant experience practising employment law, ideally at Senior Associate, Legal Director or Director level.
• Strong technical expertise across both contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
• A genuine interest in leadership, team development and growing a successful practice.
• Proven business development skills and the ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Excellent communication, networking and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience supporting corporate transactions and Employment Tribunal litigation would be advantageous.
• A client following would be welcomed but is not essential.

What do we offer?

As an employee-owned firm, we want everyone to share in our success and feel supported throughout their career. We offer:

• Competitive salary reviewed annually.
• Annual tax-free profit share
• Director growth share scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working options depending on the role and team.
• 28 days annual leave including your birthday and an additional ex-gratia day, plus UK bank holidays and long-service awards.
• Pension and protection including a 4% employer pension contribution and life assurance worth three times your annual salary.
• Health and wellbeing support including enhanced sick pay, a Medicash Health Cash Plan and financial-wellbeing provision.
• Employee savings and salary-sacrifice schemes alongside an annual contribution towards Talbots legal services.

Who are Talbots Law?

An employee-owned, full-service law firm built on a rich heritage dating back to 1828.

Today, we operate across 19 offices in the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, delivering expert legal services to individuals, families and businesses.

We deliver legal services in conveyancing, wills and probate, and family law, through to commercial law, employment, litigation and more. As an employee-owned firm, every member of our team has a stake in our success, which fosters a culture of collaboration, ownership and client-centred service.

At Talbots, our employees belong to an inclusive and supportive community where everyone has a voice. They contribute their skills and expertise to meaningful work that makes an impact. They thrive in an environment that fosters growth, innovation and wellbeing.

Talbots is one of the region’s largest independent law firms, with more than 600 employee-owners. We combine the quality of work, infrastructure and progression associated with a national practice with the accessibility, influence and regional relationships of an independent firm. Whether you are developing your specialism or ready to lead a team, you will have the platform, support and autonomy to make a meaningful impact—and share directly in the success you help create.