Eventus Legal are seeking an experienced Director of Care to lead and grow the childcare practice of a nationally operating, Legal 500-recognised law firm in Leeds or Bradford, West Yorkshire. This is a full-time, permanent job offering a salary of up to £120,000 and hybrid working, alongside 26 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, an additional birthday day off after one year's service, a Medicash health plan and the opportunity to earn a bonus. The appointment offers real influence over regional strategy, team recruitment and development, and the growth of a specialist public law children practice. In addition, the successful Director of Childcare will work closely with the Chief Executive while maintaining their own meaningful caseload.

Role Responsibilities

As Director of Childcare, you will combine hands-on expertise in care proceedings with responsibility for developing a successful regional team and practice. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the strategic direction and development of the childcare practice across West Yorkshire, with clear business plans and growth objectives.
• Recruiting, managing and mentoring a team of childcare solicitors and other fee earners, with responsibility for appraisals, performance and professional development.
• Managing a personal caseload of complex public law children and care matters, delivering sensitive, high-quality advice and representation.
• Driving business development, building professional referral relationships and strengthening links with local authorities, courts and relevant organisations.
• Working with the Chief Executive on regional budgets, financial performance and sustainable expansion.
• Monitoring team targets, service quality, case management standards and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Collaborating with senior colleagues and other practice areas to develop a coordinated childcare strategy and share expertise.
• Providing the Chief Executive with clear reports and recommendations on operational performance, recruitment and emerging opportunities.

Skills and Experience Required

This opportunity will suit a confident senior childcare solicitor who enjoys combining technical casework with people leadership and commercial development. You should be able to demonstrate the following:

• Qualification as a Solicitor in England and Wales, with substantial experience in childcare and public law children matters.
• Membership of the Law Society's Children Law Accreditation scheme (Children Panel).
• Strong experience of care proceedings, child protection work and relevant private law children matters.
• Experience of advocacy and representing clients in court hearings, together with sound judgement in complex and sensitive cases.
• A proven record of supervising fee earners, developing colleagues and managing team performance.
• Commercial awareness and experience of business development, professional networking and practice growth.
• Knowledge of working with or for local authorities on child protection matters and relationships with relevant professionals.
• The ability to balance a personal caseload with leadership, strategic planning, financial oversight and operational responsibilities.
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills, with an empathetic and client-focused approach.

Salary and Benefits

This senior appointment offers the scope to make a lasting contribution to a growing regional practice. The successful Director of Childcare will also benefit from:

• Salary of up to £120,000, depending on experience.
• Hybrid working and flexible working arrangements.
• 26 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• An additional day off for your birthday after one year's service.
• Company pension scheme.
• Medicash health plan.
• Opportunity to earn a bonus.
• Encouragement of internal career progression, training and professional development.
• Company social events.

About the Law Firm

Our client is a national law firm providing specialist advice across several areas of legal practice, including family and children law. Its family and childcare work has received Legal 500 recognition, and its public law children practice has also been recognised in a leading independent legal directory. The firm combines specialist legal expertise with dedicated HR, finance and marketing support. This appointment is part of its plans to strengthen and develop its childcare offering in West Yorkshire, giving the incoming Director meaningful scope to shape the team and its future direction.

Next Steps

Apply now to be considered for this career-enhancing job opportunity. Alternatively, for a confidential discussion about this Director of Childcare job in Leeds or Bradford, West Yorkshire, please send your CV to Vanessa Grey at the Eventus Recruitment Group via email at vanessa.grey@eventuslegal.com or phone 0113 418 2494 for a confidential discussion. Due to the high volume of applications, if you have not heard from us within ten days, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact me at the details above for a confidential discussion on your career.

The Eventus Recruitment Group are award-winning recruitment specialists operating in the Legal, Finance and Financial Planning sectors across the UK. Please note, the years' experience and/or salary are listed in our advertisements as a guide. We are happy to consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the skills necessary to fulfil the role. As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and circumstances. Our privacy policy can be found on the bottom of our website.