Employment Lawyer

Optical Express; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Supportive legal team

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking an experienced Employment Lawyer to join their in-house legal team in Birmingham. This role involves providing expert legal advice on employment law matters, drafting and reviewing HR policies, and managing litigation risks. Candidates should have at least 5 years of PQE in employment law and possess strong stakeholder management skills. The position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) in employment law.
• Strong technical expertise across contentious and non-contentious matters.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice on employment law matters.
• Draft and review employment contracts and HR policies.
• Manage Employment Tribunal claims from instruction through to resolution.

Skills

Employment law expertise

Stakeholder management

Legal drafting

Commercial acumen

Training delivery

Data protection knowledge

Education

Qualified Solicitor in Scotland or England & Wales

Job description

Job Title - Employment Lawyer (In-house)

Location - Edgbaston, Birmingham (Office based)

Working Pattern - Full or Part time with flexible working options

Optical Express is the UK’s leading provider of laser eye surgery, lens replacement, and private eyecare services. With a nationwide network of clinics and over a thousand employees, we are committed to delivering exceptional patient care supported by robust legal, ethical, and operational standards.

As our organisation continues to grow, we are seeking a skilled Employment Lawyer to join our in‑house legal team.

Role Overview

The Employment Lawyer will act as a key legal advisor to the business on all employment law matters, providing high-quality, timely, and commercially focused legal support across the organisation. The role will involve advising on both contentious and non-contentious employment issues, supporting HR with policy development, managing litigation risk, and ensuring the company’s people practices remain compliant with UK employment legislation.

This role is suited to a confident, pragmatic lawyer with a minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) in employment law, ideally gained across a combination of private practice and in-house environments.

Key Responsibilities

Advisory & Compliance

• Provide expert legal advice on a wide range of employment law matters, including disciplinary and grievance issues, absence management, discrimination, TUPE, redundancy, performance management, and employee relations.
• Partner with HR and operational teams to interpret legal obligations and embed best practice people management.
• Draft, review, and maintain employment contracts, HR policies, handbooks, and related documentation.
• Monitor developments in employment legislation and case law, ensuring the business remains compliant and informed.
• Manage Employment Tribunal claims from instruction through to resolution, including drafting pleadings, preparing witness statements, liaising with external counsel, and supporting hearings as required.
• Work proactively with stakeholders to identify legal risk, resolve disputes early, and minimise exposure.

Projects & Strategic Support

• Provide legal input into strategic HR initiatives, including organisational restructures, TUPE transfers, change programmes, and employee engagement projects.
• Deliver training and legal updates to HR teams and managers.
• Support senior leadership with complex, sensitive, or high-risk people matters.

Corporate & Commercial Support

• Advise on employment aspects of commercial agreements, consultancy arrangements, and third-party relationships.
• Support due diligence and integration activity linked to acquisitions, partnerships, or wider business development.

Skills & Experience Required

• Qualified Solicitor in Scotland, or England & Wales with a willingness to advise on Scottish employment law (with support where required).
• Minimum of 5 years’ PQE specialising in Employment Law.
• Strong technical expertise across contentious and non-contentious matters.
• Commercially minded with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
• Excellent drafting skills and high attention to detail.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel across the UK as required.
• Previous in-house experience, particularly within healthcare, retail, or large multi-site organisations.
• Experience delivering training or presenting complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• Working knowledge of data protection and privacy issues in the employment context.

Personal Attributes

• Pragmatic and solutions-focused with a strong commercial mindset.
• Confident, credible, and able to influence at senior levels.
• Resilient and discreet, with high levels of professionalism and integrity.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable working autonomously within a busy in-house environment.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development.
• A supportive in‑house legal team within a dynamic and growing business.