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Employment Lawyer

Thurrock Council

United Kingdom

Hybrid

GBP 53,000 - 62,000

Full time

Today

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Job summary

A local government council in the UK seeks an Employment Lawyer to provide expert legal advice on employment matters. This role includes managing a varied caseload, engaging with stakeholders, and ensuring legal compliance in governance processes. Candidates should be qualified solicitors with a passion for employment law and strong interpersonal skills. The position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Ongoing training and development

Employee assistance program

Staff discounts

Qualifications

Proven experience in managing complex Employment Law cases.
Ability to handle negotiations and drafting legal documents.
Strong understanding of governance processes.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice on employment law issues.
Manage a varied caseload with minimal supervision.
Support junior members and contribute to team development.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of employment law

Excellent communication skills

Ability to build strong relationships

Leadership capabilities

Organizational skills

Proactive and self-motivated

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

Tools

IT systems

Case management packages

Job Title: Employment Lawyer
Salary: £53,460– £61,638 per annum
Grade: G
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the Department

Thurrock Council is seeking an Employment Lawyer to join its LegalVPN? Team to provide expert legal advice and representation on employment matters for the Council. This includes managing a varied caseload, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, and supporting governance processes to protect the Council’s interests.

This is an exciting opportunity with growth in abundance at Thurrock it is the perfect time to develop and progress in this vibrant and dynamic team.

We are looking for someone with a passion for employment law, a proactive mindset, and a desire to grow professionally in a supportive and experienced environment.

We welcome applications from candidates with experience in Employment Law matters who can demonstrate confidence in their specialism and shows excellent legal aptitude. We are looking for a candidate with the requisite skills to build strong relationships and trust with all key stakeholders to provide support to the Council with minimum supervision.

About the Role

As an Employment Lawyer, you will be responsible for:

Legal advice and case management – Provide legal advice and support on a wide range of issues varying in complexity but not limited to:
- Providing legal advice to internal clients and stakeholders in relation to all aspects of employment law.
- Taking instructions and responding to employment claims.
- Drafting legal responses.
- Conducting case management / preliminary hearings.
- Instruct अनुसार? & liaising with counsel in relation to any tribunal proceedings where external legal counsel may be required.
- Drafting settlement agreements.
- Advising panel members in relation to disciplinary hearings as well as drafting outcome decisions.
- Case management and advice on any legal challenges around the SEND process and TUPE process.
- Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of legislation, case law, and best practice.
Advocacy and representation – Expected to provide advice to councillors, stakeholders and senior officers and to liaise with external bodies and legal advisers, attend decision‑making meetings including Committee Meetings remotely or in person if required, and undertake advocacy at the Employment Tribunal if necessary.
Contribute to the innovative improvement of the Legal Services Team including streamlining and case‑management workflow systems.
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Support junior members of the team including the Legal Apprentice in legal practice and procedure contributing towards their professional development.
Contribute to governance processes, ensuring legal compliance and sound decision‑making. Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant legislation, case law and best practice. Carry out research and provide legal advice to Client Departments on all related legal transactions.
Engage with senior officers and Members to offer high‑quality legal services, focusing on social justice, collaborating closely with directorates to ensure efficient delivery of Council priorities, and becoming a trusted advisor, advocate and problem‑solver as you contribute to Thurrock’s vision of client‑focused and innovative service delivery.
Personally manage a 貞 caseload and be able to work unsupervised: prepare, negotiate, draft, agree and process legal documents, record all key actions and ensure data is regularly updated, collate and send or check supporting legal and financial documents, protect the Council’s interests while taking precautions against potential fraud and money laundering, and review and update all templates and procedures.
Notify and advise on any instructions or events that would result in a breach by the Council or an individual of any legislation, common law, standing order or rule or propriety or that would constitute a course of action amounting to maladministration.
Attend and participate in meetings withіністра? Officers of the Council and provide legal advice when required.
Be willing and able to work in a flexible and agile way with regards to both hours and location of work, including remote and home working as required, subject to service needs and requirements (two days minimum attendance in the office).

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for someone who has:

Skills and Abilities

Excellent demonstrable knowledge of the ability to lead on complex and high‑profile local government employment cases when which may include conducting preliminary hearings, conducting Tribunal proceedings and instructing Counsel for trials, drafting settlement agreements, advising panel members in relation to disciplinary hearings as well as drafting outcome decisions and advising on TUPE and other employment related matters as becomes necessary.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to explain complex legal issues clearly and confidently.
Ability to work collaboratively and build partnerships with experienced clients and colleagues. High emotional intelligence (EQ), with the ability to build positive working relationships and navigate sensitive issues professionally.
You will be an effective leader acting as an ambassador for legal services across the council, sharing good practice and encouraging innovation amongst colleagues, to include training/mentoring junior members of the team. Attend and advise in Committee Meetings.
Excellent organisational skills able to manage a complex and varied workload with a flexible and innovative approach to work, ensuring that deadlines and court/tribunal directed deadlines are adhered to.
Proactive and self‑motivated, with a growth mindset and a willingness to learn. Ability to work on own initiative and with minimal supervision, to undertake research and be able to make accurate, considered judgements and decisions.
Ability to relate the Council’s key policy objectives to the provision of the legal service Ability to assist on the implementation of best value, quality initiatives and improvements to client care.

Special Knowledge

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
Advocacy skills.
Good general level of understanding of IT systems, especially case management/time recording packages.
Excellent numeracy and literacy skills.
Understanding of Local Government structures and legal frameworks.
Understanding of Law Society practice management standards.

Experience

Excellent demonstrable knowledge of the ability to lead on complex and high‑profile local government employment cases when which may include conducting preliminary hearings, conducting Tribunal proceedings and instructing Counsel for trials, drafting settlement agreements, advising panel members in relation to disciplinary hearings as well as drafting outcome decisions and advising on TUPE and other employment related matters as becomes necessary.
Experience working towards achieving/monitoring quality initiatives.

Essential Qualifications

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives

DBS Check

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