Lawyer - Enforcement (maternity cover)

Equality and Human Rights Commission; Manchester; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A public regulatory authority in Manchester seeks a Principal Lawyer to lead high-profile legal work within the Legal Directorate. The successful candidate will negotiate legal agreements, develop action plans, and conduct unlawful act investigations, ensuring compliance with the Equality Act 2010. This role involves collaboration in cutting-edge litigation and supervision of team members. Benefits include a competitive salary of £55,907, generous leave, and career development opportunities. Flexible working and wellbeing offerings are also included.

Benefits

Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme contribution: £16,196

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Competitive salary

Career development opportunities

Family-friendly benefits and flexible working

Employee assistance programme and health checks

Qualifications

• Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
• People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate legal agreements with organisations breaching the Equality Act 2010.
• Develop and monitor action plans to prevent future breaches.
• Lead unlawful act investigations and compliance assessments.

Job description

Performing a key role in the Enforcement Team, the Principal Lawyer will be responsible for conducting high‑profile regulatory work within our Legal Directorate. You collaborate with a wider team engaged in cutting‑edge litigation and interventions across a range of equality and human rights law.

Responsibilities

• Negotiating legal agreements with organisations identified as having breached the Equality Act 2010.
• Developing and monitoring action plans to prevent future breaches.
• Taking a leading role in unlawful act investigations or assessments of compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.
• Conducting high‑profile regulatory enforcement work, including investigations and binding legal agreements.
• Reviewing sensitive and confidential material and handling large volumes of evidence to assess compliance with the Equality Act 2010.
• Leading the development of action plans with organisations to prevent breaches of workplace discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and victimisation.
• Reporting to a senior Principal and working independently with minimal or no supervision within agreed limits.
• Supervising team members and other colleagues undertaking regulatory enforcement work and assisting them to develop their skills (including line‑management opportunities).
• Taking an active role in considering new enforcement matters, making recommendations on next steps.
• Writing effective external and internal communications (letters, recommendations, briefings, reports) that are technically and legally correct.
• Translating complex legal concepts into clear, concise language and drafting accessible user‑friendly documents for internal and external audiences.
• Supervising core work such as in Pillar 1 of the Strategic Plan as required.
• Representing the Commission with external stakeholders, assessing risks and exercising sound judgment in negotiations and interactions with external bodies, including those we regulate.
• Responding to internal and external client needs and enquiries, delivering appropriate solutions to tackle systemic problems, even in novel situations.
• Proactively managing and monitoring case budgets/resources to ensure value for money and remain within budget.

Requirements

• Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
• People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Benefits

• Salary: £55,907.
• Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme contribution: £16,196.
• Competitive salary.
• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (full‑time FTE).
• Access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme and partnership pension schemes.
• Career development: Civil Service Learning, peer learning programme, specialist training and mentoring.
• Family‑friendly benefits: enhanced parental leave, flexible working including non‑contractual hybrid working.
• Wellbeing offering: employee assistance programme, mental health supporters, health checks, discount gym membership, retail discounts, cycle‑to‑work scheme and other salary sacrifice options.
• Staff networks and social groups.