Lead Employment Counsel

The Economist Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global media organization is seeking a Lead Employment Counsel to manage employment-related legal matters across the Group. The role involves developing compliance policies, managing disputes, and offering legal advice to the People team. Candidates should be an admitted lawyer with over 5 years of experience, strong communication and organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders. The position offers a competitive benefits package, including work-from-home options and wellness resources.

Benefits

Highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan

Private health insurance

24/7 access to counselling

Work From Anywhere program

Generous annual and parental leave

Days off for volunteering

Qualifications

• Ability to collaborate across a People team and business stakeholders on sensitive matters.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including distilling complex legal issues.
• Exceptional time management, planning, and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage employment and people-related legal matters worldwide.
• Manage employment litigation and disputes globally.
• Develop and implement employment policies for compliance.

Skills

Collaboration with stakeholders

Oral and written communication skills

Time management and planning

Interpersonal skills

Education

Admitted as a lawyer in the UK or relevant EU jurisdiction

5+ years post-qualification experience

Job description

We are an organisation that exists to drive progress. That's the “red thread” that connects everyone at The Economist Group (TEG). Our businesses share a devotion to innovation, independence and rigour in their fields of expertise. We empower people to understand and tackle the critical challenges and changes facing the world. Our analytical rigour, global expertise and evidence-based insights enable individuals and organisations to make sense of these shifts and chart a course through them.

We deliver analysis and insights in many formats to subscribers and clients in 170 countries through our four businesses, The Economist, Economist Impact, Economist Intelligence and Economist Education, which uphold our global reputation for excellence and integrity.

The role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Lead Employment Counsel to join The Economist Group’s Legal team, reporting to the SVP, Legal, and working closely with our People (HR) team.

The Lead Employment Counsel will be responsible for leading and managing all employment and people-related legal matters worldwide in the Group, including managing organisational change, shaping and drafting people-related processes and policies, managing employment disputes and contentious matters and providing legal advice on employment matters on a day-to-day basis. The role will also be responsible for ensuring that the Group maintains compliance with new employment laws and requirements, while continuing to uphold its values of trust and transparency.

Responsibilities

• Work with senior management to inform and shape the Group’s people and employment strategy in a manner that is compliant with the Group’s legal obligations
• Manage employment litigation, disputes and contentious matters globally in coordination with the People team, including settlement agreements, pre-litigation processes and management of external counsel as needed
• Develop and implement employment policies and processes that ensure compliance with applicable employment laws and align with business objectives and legal requirements
• Work with senior management to advise and guide on organisational changes
• Provide clear, high-quality employment law advice and support to the People team and wider business
• Advise on and manage cross-border employment law issues
• Advise the People team on employee benefit strategy and related vendor contracting
• Keep up to date with, and understand, relevant employment laws and regulations globally and advise the business teams in respect of any measures to be implemented
• Negotiate and review employment agreements, independent contractor arrangements and certain vendor agreements
• Develop and lead training programmes for the People team and managers
• Advise on employee data subject access requests (DSAR) and other data privacy matters relating to Group colleague

Who you are

• Admitted as a lawyer in the UK or a relevant EU jurisdiction
• 5+ years post‑qualification experience
• Ability to collaborate across a People team and business stakeholders on sensitive matters
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including distilling complex legal and technical issues into clear, concise messaging to a wide variety of audiences including executive leadership
• Exceptional time management, planning, and organisational skills, with strong analytic capabilities
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with proven experience in relationship building and partnering

What we offer

Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work‑life balance. It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program.

We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits, including our Work From Anywhere program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year. In addition, we provide generous annual and parental leave, as well as dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home.

You will also be given free access to all The Economist content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more.