Associate - Principal Associate - Corporate (Education) - any regional office (2 to 8PQE)

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

What to expect

As a lawyer, you enjoy a variety of work: regional to international and across practice groups. With us, you grow your global mindset. You’re encouraged to put ideas into action and there’s always something new and different to get involved in. We see the fast-moving world as a place where we can all thrive and succeed. We’re excited for what’s next, so with us, you can be too.

Our team

Our Corporate lawyers advise corporations and institutions of all sizes, both public and private, on mergers and acquisitions, disposals, corporate finance, private equity investments and cross-border transactions. We advise on more than 800 M&A deals a year and are ranked 3rd by MergerMarket for European M&A and 9th for Global M&A.

Our education sector team as a whole is rated in Band 1 in both the Chambers and Legal 500 guides.  Within our Corporate team, we have a specialist market-leading practice focussed on the Education sector.  The team won Legal Adviser of the Yeat at the 2025 Education Investor Awards, are widely acknowledged as a market leader in the sector and have an enviable reputation for acting on some of the best deals in the sector (routinely in higher education), together with a strong and thriving practice supporting the firm’s clients in the schools and further education sub sectors.

This role is ideal for an ambitious Corporate .Lawyer who has a track record and interest in the Education sector.  The role presents a unique opportunity to utilise the firm’s market-leading practice to support the growth of the team nationally and internationally, utilising our global network of offices to support domestic clients who are transacting overseas and overseas clients who want to enter the UK market, whilst at the same time supporting our substantial domestic practice.  The work will be varied and will need an enthusiasm for understanding different transaction and regulatory structures in order to deliver best client advice.

Role and key responsibilities

We are looking for an experienced Corporate Lawyer to join our Corporate Education team, this could be at Associate, Senior Associate or Principal Associate level. We are open to seeing candidates from 2-8 PQE ideally.

The role will suit driven, ambitious and confident candidates with demonstrable skills within the Corporate Education space who also want to develop and thrive within an exciting and international focused team. The role will be primarily be focussed on domestic and international M&A, joint ventures and collaborations within the Corporate Education sector but candidates may have a general M&A skill set with a track record and interest in the sector.  Higher education is likely to be the primary focus but an interest and experience in Schools and Further Education would also be of benefit.

You will be required to contribute proactively and enthusiastically to business development activity with the internal and external market and you will also be expected to develop close working relationships with appropriate office contacts throughout the business, both nationally and internationally.

Skills and experience

We are looking for:

• Candidates with 2-8 years of Post Qualified Experience, ideally primarily focussed on the Corporate Education sector (with experience of M&A, joint ventures and collaborations in the sector).
• Candidates to show a strong interest and enthusiasm for the sector, likely to be focussed on higher education and experience in schools and further education also beneficial.
• Candidates who have the ability to deal with the competing demands of clients which arise from involvement in a number of separate transactions at once and have the ability to work flexibly to tight deadlines
• An ability to demonstrate the delivery of excellent client care. Due to the nature of the work in this role, drive, enthusiasm and ability to work well as part of a team are vital
• An ability to build great relationships, both with clients and with colleagues you work with in other practice groups and ideally will have some experience of supporting junior colleagues
• At a Senior Associate or Principal Associate level we would be looking for experience of coaching/supervising and mentoring of more junior lawyers

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

• We’re fair, transparent and equitable
• We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance
• We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working
• We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support
• We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion
• We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs
• We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure
• We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement

We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you,

For your success.

And what's next.

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