Progress Your Career in Employee Share Schemes with a Specialist Recruiter

Employee Share Schemes are now a core part of how organisations attract, retain and reward their people.

As these schemes grow in use and complexity, so does the demand for professionals with the technical expertise to design, implement and advise on them.

For more than 30 years, Harvey Sutton has supported lawyers, consultants and in-house specialists working within Share Schemes.

Many of the candidates we work with have known us across multiple stages of their career, trusting our experience, discretion and market insight to help them move into roles that reflect their ambitions.

Whether you are a qualified Incentives lawyer, a consultant with tax expertise or looking to transition between the legal and advisory sides of the profession, we are well placed to guide your next step.

A Specialist and Evolving Area of Expertise

Work within Share Schemes requires deep technical understanding, attention to detail and the ability to advise confidently across legal, tax and governance matters.

Typical exposure includes:

Designing and implementing incentive arrangements
Advising on the tax, legal and commercial considerations of share plans
Supporting ongoing scheme management and compliance
Providing technical guidance to clients, HR teams and senior stakeholders
Advising on corporate transactions involving share awards
Drafting scheme rules and related documentation
Managing client relationships and building long-term advisory capability

Most professionals entering this field begin either:

As Solicitors within Incentives/Share Schemes teams at law firms
As Consultants or Advisors within tax or reward practices at accounting and consulting firms

The experience gained on each side is valuable, and the movement between them is increasingly common as organisations seek broader skill sets.

Legal and Consulting Pathways

Legal roles in this area tend to be more transactional and documentation-focused, while consulting positions often involve broader advisory work, client relationship management and commercial development.

As the market matures, many candidates choose to expand their experience across both pathways.

We have supported numerous professionals – particularly lawyers – who wish to transition into consulting to broaden their advisory skills. This wider experience often enhances long-term career prospects, especially for those seeking future in-house roles.

Types of Share Schemes

Professionals in this sector frequently work across a range of plan types, including:

EMI – Enterprise Management Incentives

EOT – Employee Ownership Trusts

CSOP – Company Share Option Plans

LTIP – Long-Term Incentive Plans

SIP
– Share Incentive Plans

SAYE
– Save As You Earn

Growth Shares and
bespoke arrangements

Candidates already familiar with these schemes will find opportunities across both advisory practices and in-house teams, with growing demand for those capable of managing complex, multi-jurisdictional arrangements.

Take Your Next Step in Share Schemes

If you are planning your next move within Share Schemes, whether in private practice, consulting or in-house, Harvey Sutton can support you with clarity, discretion and market-leading expertise.

Get in touch to discuss current opportunities or register your CV.

Why Share Scheme Professionals Work With Us

Harvey Sutton has been a trusted recruitment partner in this specialist area for more than three decades.

Candidates choose us because we offer:

Strong relationships with leading law firms, consulting practices and in-house teams
Insight into roles not yet advertised
Confidential discussions with senior decision-makers
Advice grounded in deep sector knowledge
Opportunities that reflect your skills, ambition and preferred working environment

We understand the differences between legal, advisory and in-house roles – and help you make informed decisions about which direction is right for you.