Employment Legal Director

Oculus Legal Group

England

Hybrid

GBP 120,000 - 190,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A leading legal firm in London is seeking an accomplished Employment Legal Director to join its highly ranked Employment practice. This role involves supporting corporate teams on high-value national and international transactions and overseeing junior lawyers. Candidates must have over 8 years of PQE in employment law related to complex corporate transactions. The firm values technical excellence and offers a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for business development.

Qualifications

8+ years PQE with strong experience in employment work connected to complex corporate transactions.
Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills with a strong commercial mindset.
Proven ability to lead on complex matters and advise senior stakeholders in high-pressure environments.
Proven ability to lead on complex matters and advise senior stakeholders in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments.
Confident team leader with experience coaching junior lawyers and contributing to departmental growth.

Responsibilities

Leading on employment elements of high-value national and international corporate transactions.
Managing complex due diligence, risk assessment, and drafting/negotiating employment-related warranties.
Providing clear, commercially driven strategic employment advice to senior stakeholders.
Providing clear, commercially driven strategic employment advice to senior stakeholders and multinational clients.
Supporting the team with contentious matters and Tribunal work where appropriate.
Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers, contributing to the development of a high-performing Employment practice.
Engaging in business development, client training, and strengthening long-term client relationships across industries.

Skills

Excellent drafting skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Commercial mindset

Leadership abilities

Education

8+ years PQE

Background in recognized Employment practice

Job description

Employment Legal Director

Location: London (Hybrid)

Position: Permanent / Full-Time

The Opportunity

A leading Legal 500 international firm is seeking an accomplished Employment Legal Director to join its highly ranked Employment practice. This is an exceptional opportunity to operate at the highest level within a global platform, advising blue‑chip, multinational, and high‑growth clients across a broad spectrum of employment matters. You will work in a collaborative, well‑resourced, and ambitious environment where technical excellence and commercial clarity are strongly valued.

The Role

A substantial part of the role involves supporting the firm’s Corporate and Commercial teams on high‑value, cross‑border and domestic transactions. You will lead on the employment aspects of M&A, private equity, group restructures, joint ventures, and strategic investments—managing due diligence, advising on TUPE, drafting employment provisions, and guiding clients on workforce matters arising from complex deals. Alongside this transactional support, you will handle a sophisticated mix of stand‑alone advisory work and a smaller number of contentious matters where required. You will also play an important leadership role within the department, overseeing junior lawyers, shaping internal strategy, and strengthening key client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Leading on employment elements of high‑value national and international corporate transactions.
Managing complex due diligence, risk assessment, and drafting/negotiating employment‑related warranties, indemnities, and provisions.
Advising on TUPE, workforce integration, global mobility, and restructuring projects.
Providing clear, commercially driven strategic employment advice to senior stakeholders and multinational clients.
Supporting the team with contentious matters and Tribunal work where appropriate.
Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers, contributing to the development of a high‑performing Employment practice.
Engaging in business development, client training, and strengthening long‑term client relationships across industries.

About You

8+ years PQE with strong experience in employment work connected to complex corporate transactions.
Background within a recognised Employment practice, ideally Legal 500/Chambers‑ranked or equivalent.
Excellent drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills with a strong commercial mindset.
Proven ability to lead on complex matters and advise senior stakeholders in high‑pressure, time‑sensitive environments.
Confident team leader with experience coaching junior lawyers and contributing to departmental growth.

Seniority Level