Employment Counsel

Overview

In this role you will provide high-quality, pragmatic employment law advice to support business decisions across the Group. You will work with the Deputy General Counsel, HR and wider stakeholders to manage legal risk and ensure compliance across jurisdictions. You will handle both contentious and non-contentious matters, lead on organisational change initiatives, and guide managers and teams through evolving legislation. This is a dynamic, cross-site role offering the opportunity to shape people-related policy and practice in a fast-paced environment.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched pension contributions
• Life assurance up to 4x salary
• Sharesave Scheme
• Wellbeing Centre and enhanced parental leave policies

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, legally robust advice on disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance management, investigations, restructures and TUPE-related issues
• Manage employment litigation and tribunal processes, including drafting responses and settlement agreements, and oversee external counsel when needed
• Draft and maintain non-contentious employment documentation (contracts, policies, letters, settlement agreements)
• Support organisational change, acquisitions, disposals, integrations and transformation projects by identifying risks and mitigation actions
• Advise on collective consultation obligations and engage with trade unions or employee representatives
• Monitor and interpret Employment Rights Act 2025 and other legislation, translating changes for the business
• Design and deliver employment law training for HR and managers to reduce risk
• Maintain relationships with internal stakeholders and external advisers, reporting on material matters, trends and legal spend

Key requirements

• Qualified solicitor or barrister with employment law experience in the UK, Ireland or other common law jurisdiction
• Membership of a relevant law society, bar council or equivalent professional body
• Strong technical knowledge of employment law, employee relations, litigation and workplace investigations
• Experience advising complex, multi-site businesses (desirable)
• Ability to provide pragmatic, commercially balanced advice in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for stakeholders
• Strong stakeholder management skills and ability to influence senior leaders
• Experience managing external advisers and legal spend
• Ability to work autonomously while collaborating within the legal function

• Stakeholder management
• Clear, concise communication
• Commercial pragmatism
• Employment law depth (UK and cross-border)
• Employee relations and investigations
• Disciplinary, grievance and performance processes

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