Senior Associate / Legal Director

Purpose of job

To advise higher and further education institutions, training providers, independent schools and 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 a range of commercial issues, as well as large corporate projects. This will include :

• Advising on transactions involving private education institutions on a variety of share sales and asset sales including the sale of private higher education companies, private tertiary colleges, private nurseries and private school.
• Assisting with and project managing legal due diligence, drafting and reviewing principal transaction documents, assisting with disclosure exercises and drafting and reviewing ancillary documents.
• Assisting with pre- and post-sale re-organisations of private education groups, often with complex organisational structures requiring multiple steps and stages
• Advising on partnerships and collaborations between education institutions – drafting, reviewing and amending franchise agreements, study abroad agreements and dual award agreements.
• Setting up subsidiary companies for higher and further education institutions and advising on intragroup arrangements such as management and governance agreements.
• Providing governance advice and carrying out constitutional reviews for further education corporations, higher education institutions and academy trusts including obtaining Privy Council, Department for Education and Charity Commission consent to constitutional amendments.
• Advising on mergers of education institutions (HE, FE and independent schools)
• Co-ordinating banking / finance and real estate work streams, and advising on the statutory dissolution process.
• Advising on procurement disputes / issues relating to education institutions
• Assisting with applications for registration with the Charity Commission and Office for Students.

The candidate

The successful candidate will have an excellent knowledge of the law yet be able to think commercially and analytically so as to provide accurate and practical advice to our clients, with an ability to think clearly under pressure and write concisely. You will also be expected to play an active role in marketing and practice development as well as providing a high level of service to existing clients.

Birketts has designed a career structure that will help us develop, retain and reward talented people. Promotion is based on assessment of your performance, competency and achievements. Our Talent Management Framework will see you joining as a Senior Associate and Legal Director, possibly Partner. This is a strategic appointment which offers strong career progression opportunities for the right candidate.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated self-starter to join a successful and friendly team in one of our office in a growing firm which enjoys an excellent reputation.

Qualifications / Experience

We are looking to recruit an individual who has the drive and commitment to assist Birketts’ in the continued growth and development of our Education practice and to become an essential core member of our Education team.

Equal opportunities

One of the best things about joining Birketts is our rewards package. At Birketts we are appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. A competitive salary and benefits package is given but you can also expect a great team and supportive colleagues, a strong focus on diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities, a programme of wellbeing and mental health support and structured career development and study support.

Benefits include :

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile and part time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.