Employment Counsel

2K; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Keywords Studios seeks an Employment Counsel to provide legal support for HR and Executive teams, ensuring compliance and managing disputes in the gaming industry. The role offers an opportunity to work with diverse teams in a dynamic environment, requiring strong analytical and communication skills.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + UK Bank Holidays

Private Medical and Dental cover

Group Income Protection

Group Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Program

Enhanced Employer Pension Contributions

Cycle Scheme

Tech Scheme

Electric Car Scheme

Discretionary Bonus Scheme

Qualifications

• 5+ years post-qualification experience at a top-tier law firm or in-house team.
• In-depth knowledge of employment laws and regulations.
• Experience advising multinational organisations on HR matters.

Responsibilities

• Support and provide guidance on employment matters.
• Draft and revise HR-related documents.
• Advise on employment-related disputes and litigation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Qualified lawyer (Ireland or UK)

Job description

At Keywords Studios we are using our passion for games, technology and media to create a global services platform for the video games and entertainment industries. Our aim is to become the “go to” provider of technical and creative services across a variety of service lines.

We enable leading content creators and publishers to leverage our expertise and capacity across the lifecycle of interactive content. In doing so, we empower our clients to remain lean and agile and to focus on creating the most engaging experiences.

Keywords Studios is trusted and relied upon by many of the world’s leading video games and entertainment companies to work alongside them during concept, development and live operations by leveraging the breadth and depth of our industry leading service lines every step of the way.

See www.keywordsstudios.com for further information.

Job Summary

Keywords Studios continues to build world leading capabilities in services that video game and other interactive content creators need. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients working as their external partner, providing access to our teams of experts where and when needed.

People that work at Keywords Studios are passionate, talented, committed and resourceful. Human talent is our most valuable resource and, as a business, we thrive on diversity, celebrate uniqueness and work together in teams across 70+ facilities in 26 countries.

Keywords Studios now has an exciting opportunity for an Employment Counsel to be a part of its growing and dynamic Legal team. As Employment Counsel, you will provide comprehensive legal support to our expansive global HR and Executive teams, ensuring compliance, standardisation, and strategic advice across the workforce. You will play a pivotal role in coordinating global legal requirements, managing employment disputes, drafting and revising HR-related documents, and fostering key relationships with internal stakeholders. This position requires strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.

Joining our team as Employment Counsel offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a globally recognised video games and entertainment company at the forefront of innovation. If you have a passion for people and the gaming or technology industries, and you thrive in a dynamic and creative environment, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities and Activities

• Support and provide guidance to the group generally in relation to a broad range of employment matters, including the contentious and advisory aspects of the employment relationship.
• Provide dedicated day-to-day legal advice and support to the global HR teams.
• Provide strategic employment law guidance to C-suite executives and board members.
• Draft and revise the group’s HR related template documents, including employment agreements, severance agreements, employment policies, employee handbooks and other employment related documents.
• Advise the organisation in relation to employment related disputes and claims, including by managing employment related litigation and pre-litigation matters with internal stakeholders and outside counsel.
• Assist the Corporate Development / M&A team with HR due diligence.
• Draft directorship and senior executive agreements.
• Advise on topics such as recruitment, performance issues, disciplinary proceedings, terminations, employment status, leaves of absence, discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing and employee investigations.
• Support the review and development of HR training, including in relation to DEIB, anti-harassment and anti-discrimination.
• Advise on, and coordinate responses to, jurisdictional and regional specific legal requirements and industry best practices.
• Partner with HR, the wider Legal team and various other departments and stakeholders on employment related matters generally.
• Assist in developing policies and training materials and provide training to employees on employment related obligations, to further develop the organisation’s HR practices globally.
• Collaborate with external counsel and consultants as needed to address complex HR issues and ensure legal compliance.

Requirements

• Qualified lawyer (Ireland or UK) with strong academic credentials.

• Minimum of 5+ years’ post-qualification experience at a top-tier law firm or a multinational organisation’s in-house team.
• In-depth knowledge of employment laws and regulations.
• Experience in advising multinational organisations on HR matters.
• Experience working independently and as part of cross-functional teams in a fast paced environment.
• Excellent project management skills and strong attention to detail.
• Knowledge of GDPR and data privacy obligations as they relate to employment matters.
• Creative and innovative thinking with a view to balancing commercial demands against legal risk.
• Strong work ethic, a self-starter, and accountable.
• Ability to communicate professionally, effectively and persuasively, including by explaining potentially complex topics succinctly to internal stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to work effectively with others at all levels of the organisation.
• Commitment to uphold Keywords Studios' values and contribute to a positive working culture.
• Fluent in written and spoken English (additional languages are an advantage but not required).

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave + UK Bank Holidays
• Private Medical and Dental cover
• Group Income Protection
• Group Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Enhanced Employer Pension Contributions
• Cycle Scheme
• Tech Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme

Keywords Studios is dedicated to following a well-established Equal Opportunities Policy. We are an equal opportunities employer, and endeavor to create a diverse workplace which offers equal opportunities to all employees and potential employees.

PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY

By providing your information in this application, you understand that we will collect and process your information in accordance with our Applicant Privacy Notice. For more information, please see our Applicant Privacy Notice at https://www.keywordsstudios.com/en/applicant-privacy-notice.

Role Information: EN

Studio: Keywords Studios

Location: Europe, United Kingdom, London

Area of Work: Legal

Service: Support Services

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent

Working Pattern: Hybrid