Group Employment Legal Counsel

DFS Furniture Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading furniture retailer is seeking an Employment Lawyer to join their in-house legal team. The role encompasses providing expert legal advice on a range of employment matters, managing Employment Tribunal claims, and working collaboratively with People and ER teams. Offering hybrid working, this position provides a dynamic and engaging work environment with various benefits, including a bonus scheme and generous holiday allowance.

Benefits

Car or car allowance

Annual bonus based on business performance

Hybrid working – 3 days in Doncaster, 2 days from home

25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays

Enhanced family leave

Paid volunteering day

Generous staff discounts

Wellbeing perks

Pension & savings

Life assurance & sick pay

Private medical insurance (individual cover)

Qualifications

• Confident legal expert with strong research and analytical skills.
• Natural communicator capable of simplifying complex legal concepts.
• Proactive, organised individual thriving in fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Deliver timely legal advice on employment matters including contracts and grievances.
• Manage Employment Tribunal claims and provide advocacy as necessary.
• Draft and review employment contracts and policies to ensure compliance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Drafting skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Education

Qualified solicitor (4+ years PQE)

Job description

We’re looking for anEmployment Lawyerto join our in-house legal team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in providing expert legal advice across a wide range of employment matters, partnering with our People and ER teams to help us stay ahead of the curve.

We offer hybrid working with our '3 days together, 2 days wherever' approach, so this role will be a mix of working from our Doncaster Support office and home.

About DFS

Did you know a DFS sofa is in one-third of Britain’s homes?

Since 1969, we’ve been creating, marketing, and selling sofas that reflect people’s unique styles and tastes. We’ve always led the market, bringing comfort and great design to communities both online and in person.

We’re the UK’s leading sofa retail specialist, but here’s the secret to our success - it’s our people. They’re at the heart of what we do, and together, they’re crafting us towards our ambitious future.

What you'll be doing

• Reporting to the Group Senior Legal Counsel (Employment & Commercial), deputising for them when necessary
• Responsible and accountable for the delivery of timely, specialist legal advice on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters including contracts, disciplinary and grievance, absence, family leave, redundancy and restructuring, discrimination, whistleblowing
• Work closely with the ER function on day to day matters advising on managing and resolving cases, identifying and managing risk, with a focus on strategy
• Draft contracts of employment and undertake periodic reviews, responsible for ensuring they reflect best practice and are kept legally up to date
• Support the Group People function in drafting, developing and renewing the Group’s employment policies, ensuring they reflect best practice
• Leading the day to day management of Employment Tribunal claims from start to finish with minimal supervision and where appropriate providing advocacy at preliminary Tribunal hearings. Advising on legal and commercial risks and setting the defence strategy.
• Prepare and deliver presentations/ training sessions to educate and up-skill the Group People team on a variety of topics
• Support the Group Senior Legal Counsel - Employment and Group General Counsel in advising on and implementing key projects with employment law aspects, including those which involve large scale consultations
• Represent the Group companies positively in interactions with external bodies and opposing Counsel
• Responsible for keeping the business up to date with legal developments and horizon scanning for changes which will impact policy and practice, preparing regular legal updates for circulation to relevant business areas

The role is for you if...

Don't worry if you don't meet all of the requirements - if you feel that you have the skills and experience for this role, then we'd really welcome your application.

• Aqualified solicitor (4+ years PQE)with strong employment law expertise.
• A confident legal expert with excellent research, analytical, and drafting skills.
• A natural communicator who can break down complex legal advice into clear, practical guidance.
• Strong drafting and negtotiation skillls with a well honed ability to persuade both clients andopponents
• Ability and confidence to give tailored legal advice hwich reflects sound judgement of commercial risk
• Great at building relationships so that you can work as a true business partner, giving reasoned opinions on strategy and approach, not just a list of options.
• A commercially minded professional who balances legal risk with business priorities.
• A relationship builder, comfortable working with colleagues at all levels of the business.
• A proactive, organised individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Previous in-house experience is a plus, but not essential.

DFS Benefits

• Car orcar allowance

• Annual bonusbased on business performance.

• Hybrid working– 3 days in Doncaster, 2 days from home.

• 25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 5 extra days.

• Enhanced family leave– including maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption leave.

• Paid volunteering dayto support a cause you care about.

• Generous staff discounts– 30% off DFS and Sofology products, plus big-brand savings at ASOS, IKEA, and more.

• Wellbeing perks– including an Employee Assistance Programme, healthcare services, and discounted gym memberships.

• Pension & savings– Group pension and Sharesave schemes.

• Life assurance & sick payfor added peace of mind.

• Private medical insurance(individual cover)