Group Solicitor

Full Job Description

In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Job Title: Group Solicitor
Location: Manchester Office | Hybrid (2 days per week)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week | Monday–Friday
Salary: £75,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Contract: Permanent | Full Time
UK applicants only | No sponsorship

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Group Solicitor (c. 2–4 years PQE) to join our Legal function. Working closely with the General Counsel, you will play a key role in supporting international M&A activity, corporate governance, risk management and the provision of practical commercial legal advice across the Group.

This is a hands‑on, high‑impact role offering exposure to senior stakeholders and a genuine opportunity to influence legal best practice across a complex and expanding organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting domestic and international M&A activity, including managing external advisers and reviewing due diligence
• Drafting and negotiating NDAs, engagement letters, commercial contracts and key legal documents
• Researching and advising on international entity set‑up, structuring and growth activity
• Preparing internal documentation to support transactions and legal processes
• Maintaining global risk registers and supporting compliance initiatives across jurisdictions
• Drafting and reviewing Group-wide policies and overseeing KYC, AML and sanctions checks
• Supporting governance requirements, board packs, resolutions, statutory filings and record‑keeping
• Assisting with corporate transactions, restructuring and post‑integration activity
• Advising on contractual risk, liability, indemnities, IP ownership, data protection and commercial structuring
• Providing pragmatic, solutions‑focused legal advice to internal teams
• Developing and improving legal templates, playbooks and documentation
• Delivering legal training and producing guidance for business teams

Experience, Skills & Qualification

Essential

• Strong drafting and negotiation experience across corporate and commercial contracts
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple matters
• High attention to detail, strong organisation and commercial awareness
• Pragmatic approach to risk

Desirable

• Cross‑border M&A exposure
• IP, IT/software procurement or digital transformation experience
• Company secretarial or governance experience

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified Solicitor (England & Wales)
• 2–4 years’ PQE in commercial or corporate law

Why Join Us?

Outcomes First Group is the UK’s largest independent provider of high-quality special needs education, operating across England, Scotland, and Wales. 

Our divisional brands include Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools, and Momenta Connect.

By joining our central teams, you’ll help shape strategy, provide expert support, and drive continuous improvement across a growing organisation renowned for quality, impact, and innovation. We value collaboration, professionalism, and creativity, offering the opportunity to influence change at scale while staying true to our core values of care, aspiration, and inclusion.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with flexible contribution options
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – mental and physical health support
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Flexible benefits via Vista, including discounts, Cycle to Work, Electric Car Scheme, critical illness cover, and more

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of suitable applications is received. Outcomes First Group is committed to a fair, thorough, and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed, we do not accept liability for any loss of earnings or costs incurred due to delays or changes in compliance processes. 

All stages are subject to safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.