Legal Counsel (Employment)

Beacon Legal; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangement

Strong focus on professional development

Supportive culture

Job summary

A leading legal recruitment firm is seeking an Employee Relations Lawyer to provide support managing complex employee matters in Sydney. This role involves practical legal guidance, policy development, and collaboration with HR teams in a hybrid working environment. The ideal candidate should be a qualified lawyer with at least 3 years of employment law experience and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in employment law or employee relations.
• Strong commercial contracting experience is necessary.
• Confident in delivering training to senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical legal guidance on staff-related legal issues.
• Support strategic compliance efforts in employment regulations.
• Prepare internal reports for senior leadership.

Skills

Employment law

Employee relations

Commercial contracting

Policy development

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Qualified to practice law in Australia or New Zealand

Job description

Leading a Team of In-House Legal Recruiters - Director @ Beacon Legal - Qualified Lawyer

Overview

Beacon Legal is partnering with a leading ASX-listed financial services business looking to hire an Employee Relations lawyer in Sydney.

Why is this a great role?

This is a standout opportunity to join a high-performing and collaborative employment legal function as an Employee Relations Lawyer.

In this role, you’ll provide strategic and hands-on support in managing complex employee matters, shaping commercial outcomes, and ensuring positive engagement across the business.

This role is with a repeat client of ours. We can't speak highly enough of the legal team. They are a fantastic group of highly skilled lawyers and excellent human beings. Any lawyer would be lucky to work with them.

You’ll influence how the business approaches key ER initiatives and be seen as a trusted advisor to leaders, HRBPs, and key stakeholders.

If you're looking for a broad, fast-paced role where you can lead key initiatives, coach people leaders, and contribute to progressive workplace practices, then read on.

How will this role develop your career?

You’ll work closely with a highly experienced, senior employment lawyer who is known for mentorship and for developing the careers of employment law and ER professionals.

This role is ideal for a practitioner looking to broaden their ER leadership capability and gain exposure to policy development and the full suite of employee relations work.

The business operates across a complex national landscape, meaning you’ll gain highly transferable experience working across employment contracting, awards, and policy frameworks.

Why do lawyers like working here?

People we have placed into this team say they value:

• The scope and complexity of the work
• High-trust relationships with HR and business leaders
• Opportunities to influence policy and enterprise negotiations
• Exposure to board-level reporting and strategic projects
• Supportive culture with a strong focus on wellbeing and psychological safety

There is also a clear commitment to professional development, and a hybrid working environment with reasonable hours.

What work will you do?

In addition to the above, you’ll:

• Offer practical legal guidance to internal partners on staff-related legal issues, including awards interpretation, workplace conflicts, employment terms, and exit processes.
• Play an active role in a globally connected legal function, helping to keep pace with legislative changes and contributing to frameworks that ensure legal compliance.
• Support strategic compliance efforts by reviewing, building, and refining procedures that align with evolving employment regulations.
• Collaborate closely with HR/legal teams to craft, review, and update internal templates and documentation related to hiring and staff policies.
• Help digitise and streamline documentation processes through automation tools and platforms.
• Provide support for employment-related disputes and claims, including those related to termination, workplace behaviour, and contractual obligations after departure.
• Prepare internal reports for senior leadership and governance committees, ensuring transparency in compliance and legal matters.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing by designing and running internal workshops and training initiatives for cross-functional teams.

What type of person will be successful?

• Qualified to practise law in Australia or New Zealand.
• 3+ years of experience in employment law or employee relations.
• Strong commercial contracting experience.
• Confident delivering training and advising senior leaders.
• Skilled in policy development and award interpretation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.

Please apply below or send your CV to [e-mail] to arrange a confidential discussion.

If this role isn't quite right for you, but you’re interested in other roles, please get in contact. We have live roles across Australia in both private practice and in-house.

Get in touch with any of the Beacon Legal team for further details.

Job details

• Seniority level: Associate
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Legal
• Industries: Banking and Investment Banking