Employment Lawyer Optical Express

Optical Express Group; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

33 days annual leave

Professional development

In-house legal team

Job summary

Optical Express in Glasgow is seeking an in-house Employment Lawyer to join a dedicated legal team. The role covers advisory, compliance, litigation, and strategic HR support across the organisation, with flexibility on full or part-time arrangements.

The successful candidate will advise on both contentious and non-contentious matters, draft key contracts, policies, and handbooks, and travel UK-wide as required. PQE of 5+ years in employment law is essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified Solicitor with minimum 5 years PQE in employment law.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert employment law advice on a range of matters including disciplinary and grievance issues, absence management and TUPE.
• Manage Employment Tribunal claims from instruction to resolution.
• Draft, review and maintain employment contracts, HR policies, handbooks and related docs.
• Support HR with policy development and organisational restructures.
• Advise on employment aspects of commercial agreements and due diligence in corporate activity.

Skills

Employment law

Litigation management

Policy development

Drafting and contracts

Stakeholder management

Legal research

Discretion and integrity

Travel readiness

Education

Qualified Solicitor (Scotland or England & Wales)

Tools

Case management software

Legal research databases

Job description

Job Title – Employment Lawyer (In-house)

Location – Glasgow City centre (Office based)

Working Pattern – Full or Part time with flexible working options

Travel – UK wide travel required

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 of 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.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• 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

Essential

• 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.
• Proven experience managing Employment Tribunal litigation.
• 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.

Desirable

• 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.
• 33 days Annual leave*
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development.
• A supportive in‑house legal team within a dynamic and growing business.