We are looking for an Associate to join our national Incentives team. This role can be based in either London or Bristol.

Osborne Clarke has steadily built out and deepened its incentives department and operates a rounded practice representing leading UK and global private and listed companies in all of their needs in this area, whether executive-level incentives or company-wide employee schemes. Our team is dedicated to the area as well as being able to call on wider support from tax colleagues with extensive experience.

You will be joining a successful firm with a collegiate and supportive culture, which makes it a rewarding place to work.

The practice

The team advises on all aspects of employee benefits, including the design, implementation and communication of senior executive and employee incentive plans, the establishment and operation of employee benefit trusts (to support share plans and as wealth creation vehicles), executive tax planning (including those who are mobile internationally), as well as corporate governance, regulatory and compliance matters.

The team routinely assists major national and international clients in implementing cross-border schemes for executives and other employees and in handling the incentives aspects of IPOs, M&A and group restructurings.

We have an impressive and growing client base across many industry sectors. These include numerous public listed companies such as Stagecoach Group plc and Capita plc.

The team

Chambers & Partners rank head of Incentives Michael Carter as a leading practitioner in his field ("a very efficient and thorough lawyer who provides clear advice" – Chambers & Partners).

The team is also made up of 1 Associate Director based in London, and 1 Senior Associate, a dedicated Knowledge Lawyer, a Senior Paralegal and a Trainee Solicitor, all currently based in Bristol.

The Incentives team forms part of the wider tax group and benefits from an excellent training programme. A strong commitment to individuals' career development and weekly know-how meetings ensures our Lawyers are technically excellent and enjoy a healthy team-working environment.

The work

Recent work examples include:

• We have been newly appointed to advise Hargreaves Lansdown plc on all its share schemes, both at senior executive and all employee level.
• Our department has recently assisted Union Jack Oil plc, a AIM-listed company, to implement a new unapproved option plan in order to grant unapproved options to its employees. In addition, we also assisted the company to grant options to non-executive directors.
• We are sole adviser to Stagecoach Group plc's remuneration committee, advising on all aspects of executive remuneration and share plans. This has included a recent review of remuneration policy and the challenge of bonuses and share awards in the light of the current challenging market issues of running train lines.
• We assisted NewVoiceMedia Limited during its $350 million acquisition by US-based Vonage Holdings Corp and in particular, we led the company's option exercise process for approximately 350 employees based in the UK, US and various overseas jurisdictions including Germany, Australia and Poland.
• We have been assisting Zotefoams plc, a LSE main market company, with all aspects of the establishment of a new company share option plan.
• We have been co-ordinating the international roll-out of Illumio, Inc's option plan, including Netherlands, France, Singapore, Australia and the UK, showcasing the practice’s ability to lead on substantial multi-jurisdictional projects.
• We have been advising Mitie on a complete update of all of their employees share plans and grant documentation., including the review of performance targets in the light of a challenging business environment.
• We acted for Daryl Clarke as a shareholder concerning EMI option issues to resolve in the context of Digitavia’s sale to a US-based buyer.
• We assisted HH Global Limited with a directors’ incentive scheme, notably advising on implementation of a cash-based long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for the executive team.

Technical skills and experience

You will have trained with a highly respected law firm, preferably a city or large regional practice or accountancy firm, preferably having specialised in this type of work or have had some exposure in a corporate, tax or employment role. In particular you should have had some exposure to HM Revenue & Customs approved schemes and unapproved arrangements, such as growth/freezer shares.

Due to the structure of the team, we are looking to appoint an Associate in this area, although we are happy to consider candidates with more or less experience.

Your career development

Like all our lawyers, you will benefit from our multi-award winning career development programme. At each stage of your career this provides you with:

• Clear expectations of your role and what it takes to progress
• High quality clients and work, with early responsibility and client exposure
• Thorough assessment and individual feedback from a range of experienced colleagues
• Robust technical training with early skills based development, increasingly tailored to you
• Reward for your contribution, progression and potential, rather than PQE or tenure

Salary and benefits

We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits.

For more information or to apply

At Osborne Clarke we welcome direct applications - if you would like any further information about the role, or the firm, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact, in complete confidence, Emily Webb in the Recruitment team on 0117 917 3072 or email emily.webb@osborneclarke.com.

At Osborne Clarke, we are known for our open and inclusive culture. We believe that by investing in the diversity and wellbeing of our people, we create an environment where everyone can thrive to be the best that they can be. This means recognising that our people have lives and commitments outside of work. We have invested in connected working for our people and, where possible, we will accommodate flexible working for all our roles.