Employee relations Specialist (In House Lawyer) - Global Media & Entertainment, SAISEI TALENT

Guardian Jobs; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global media and entertainment company is seeking an Employee Relations Specialist (In-House Lawyer) to lead the ER function across the UK and Europe. This strategic role requires a deep understanding of employment law and the ability to navigate complex legal landscapes, particularly in Germany and Italy. The ideal candidate will have a strong legal background, experience in handling sensitive ER issues, and the ability to advise senior stakeholders. This is a unique opportunity to shape the ER landscape in a dynamic international business.

Qualifications

• Strong grip on UK employment law.
• Hands-on experience dealing with employment legislation in Germany and Italy.
• Proven background in international ER.

Responsibilities

• Act as the internal expert on employee relations and employment law across the UK and Europe.
• Create ER policies, processes, frameworks, and toolkits.
• Manage responses to Subject Access Requests (SARs).

Skills

Employment Law

Employee Relations

Legal Compliance

Communication

Negotiation

Education

Legal qualification in the UK or EU

Postgraduate qualification in Employment Law

Job description

Employee relations Specialist (In House Lawyer) - Global Media & Entertainment, SAISEI TALENT

Join to apply for the Employee relations Specialist (In House Lawyer) - Global Media & Entertainment, SAISEI TALENT role at Guardian Jobs

Employee relations Specialist (In House Lawyer) - Global Media & Entertainment, SAISEI TALENT

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Job Title: Employee Relations Specialist (In-House Lawyer)

Location: West London – Hybrid (4 days onsite, 1 remote)

Type: Full-time, Permanent (we will also consider an Interim / Consultant)

Salary: is open for discussion

About The Role

Saisei Talent are excited to be partnering with a global name in media and entertainment to find a very special kind of legal mind.

This is a role for someone who knows employment law inside and out, but who also understands people, culture, and the nuance of operating across borders. We're searching for a legally qualified Employee Relations Specialist to own and lead the ER function across the UK and Europe, with a particular focus on Germany and Italy.

This isn’t your standard HR role. It’s a strategic, standalone position at the heart of an international business, blending law, leadership, and real impact. You’ll act as the go to authority for all things ER. Setting policy, guiding on complex cases, and helping the business navigate change confidently and compliantly.

This position sits within the People team and reports to the Global Chief People Officer. They are a global business of approx. 10,000 employees (4000 in the UK and 150 in the London HQ)

If you're a commercially minded legal professional who enjoys solving real world challenges and influencing the way a complex global business supports its people, this could be your next big move.

What You’ll Be Doing

Leading from the front:

• Act as the internal expert on employee relations and employment law across the UK, and Europe, with specific requirements for experience within Germany & Italy.
• Provide calm, clear guidance to senior leaders and HR teams on everything from disciplinary cases to strategic restructures.
• Tackle complex, high-risk issues, from grievances and dismissals to litigation and settlements with confidence and care.
  
  
  

️ Building the foundations:

• Create ER policies, processes, frameworks, and toolkits that work across borders are legally compliant, culturally aware, and easy to use.
• Oversee contracts, handbooks, and all employment documentation, ensuring they’re up to date, aligned and airtight.
• Partner with local teams to embed best practice and build long term capability.
  
  
  

Navigating international complexity:

• Keep the business ahead of legal changes, especially across Germany and Italy. Translating legislation into practical advice and actions.
• Work closely with employee forums and works councils, ensuring legal compliance while nurturing strong, transparent relationships.
• Support M&A, restructures, and collective consultations with strategic, legal insight.
  
  
  

Driving clarity and consistency:

• Manage responses to Subject Access Requests (SARs), ensuring privacy and compliance across the group.
• Build meaningful dashboards and reports to track trends, identify risk, and guide decision making.
• Act as a bridge between internal stakeholders and external legal counsel, keeping things smooth, smart, and aligned.
  
  
  

What We’re Looking For

️ Must-haves:

• Legal qualification in the UK or EU, with a strong grip on UK employment law.
• Hands-on experience dealing with employment legislation in Germany and Italy, you know how to navigate both complexity and nuance.
• Proven background in international ER, ideally in a fast-paced, matrixed business.
• Experience managing serious and sensitive ER issues, including litigation and settlements.
• Strong understanding of EU labour law, consultation practices, and employee forums.
• Confident communicator, comfortable advising senior stakeholders and simplifying legal language for varied audiences.
• A naturally commercial mindset, someone who can balance legal risk with business priorities.
  
  
  

Nice to have:

• Experience in people-focused sectors like entertainment, leisure, hospitality, or retail.
• Fluency in German or Italian would be a huge plus (but not essential).
• A postgrad qualification in Employment Law or Employee Relations.
• The ability to work independently, while collaborating across cultures and teams.
  
  
  

Why This Role?

This is a rare chance to shape the global ER landscape for a brand loved by millions. You’ll get visibility, autonomy, and the chance to make a lasting difference to how the business supports, protects, and empowers its people.

You’ll be trusted, challenged, and valued, not just for what you know, but for how you think.

Ready to use your legal skills to drive change on a global scale?

We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Amanda Watts for a confidential conversation or apply today.

Saisei Talent are an equal opportunity agency and will consider all applications.

We are dedicated to hiring diverse talent and ensuring that we treat you with respect and support throughout the interview process. We strive to include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in our everyday work, and we commit to using these for our business and for all our Clients & Candidates.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Human Resources

• Industries

  Advertising Services

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