Head of Employment Law | Board-Level Counsel

SE-Solicitors; Oxford; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus

Equity participation

Collaborative culture

Job summary

SE-Solicitors in Oxford seeks a highly skilled Employment Solicitor to lead the department as Head of Employment. You will advise Board members and the HR Director, handling complex employment matters and strategy across the firm.

The role demands extensive PQE, commercial pragmatism, and leadership to shape the employment offering and ensure policy compliance. A dynamic, stakeholder-facing role with significant influence awaits.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with strong employment law specialization.
• 8–10+ years PQE across private practice and/or in-house.
• Current knowledge of UK employment law.
• Commercial and pragmatic, translating risk into actionable advice.
• Confident advising senior stakeholders, including at board level.
• Proven leadership and people management ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the employment team.
• Accountability for department performance.
• Provide employment law advice across the firm, liaising with HR Director and Board members.
• Advise on complex employee relations issues including grievances, disciplinaries, whistleblowing, restructures, and senior exits.
• Manage employment litigation and tribunal claims end to end, with external counsel as needed.
• Review updates to employment policies, contracts, handbooks, and templates.
• Assist HR Director with organisational change including restructures and post-acquisition integration.
• Provide employment law input into M&A and commercial transactions.
• Network and grow the Employment Law offering.
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and horizon scan for developments.
• Advise on executive hiring, settlement agreements, covenants, and confidentiality.

Skills

Employment law

Stakeholder communication

People management

Board-level advisory

Education

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales or equivalent

Job description

SE-Solicitors in Oxford seeks a highly skilled Employment Solicitor to lead the department as Head of Employment. You will advise Board members and the HR Director, handling complex employment matters and strategy across the firm.

The role demands extensive PQE, commercial pragmatism, and leadership to shape the employment offering and ensure policy compliance. A dynamic, stakeholder-facing role with significant influence awaits.