Senior Legal Adviser (Employment Law)

Hampshire County Council; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading local authority in the UK is seeking a Senior Legal Adviser to join their highly respected legal team. The successful candidate will provide high quality legal advice on a variety of employment law issues and represent the Council in tribunal matters. This position offers a hybrid working arrangement, with the opportunity to work primarily remotely while attending the office in Winchester for essential meetings. Candidates should have strong knowledge of UK employment law and excellent communication skills.

Benefits

Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme

25-28 days annual leave

Access to online professional legal research resources

Qualifications

• Recent experience of providing legal advice.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK employment law.
• Experience advising on complex, sensitive, or high value employment matters.

Responsibilities

• Providing clear and accessible advice on employment issues.
• Preparing and drafting key legal documents.
• Representing the Council in Employment Tribunal matters.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Pragmatic, solution-focussed approach

Recent experience of providing legal advice

Good self-organisation and case-management skills

Ability to work under pressure

Proven ability to work collaboratively

Good understanding of client care

Strong technical knowledge of UK employment law

Experience advising on complex employment matters

Confidence in providing authoritative advice

Job description

Overview

• Job Reference: HCC623144
• Salary Senior Legal Adviser: £48,948 - £54,423 per annum, plus Market Supplement of £4,500 per annum depending on experience (pro-rata for part-time)
• Salary Legal Adviser: £40,643 - £45,077 per annum, plus Market Supplement of £1,500 per annum (pro-rata for part-time)
• Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester and Hybrid Working
• Hours per week: 37 (part-time applications will be considered)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Closing Date: 20 February 2026
• Please note, applications will be reviewed when submitted, therefore this advert may close early depending on volumes of applications received

The Role:

Join our friendly and supportive Lexcel accredited legal department, passionate about delivering the best for Hampshire and making a real difference to the community.

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. Our large legal service supports all Hampshire County Council directorates and a wide range of other public service organisations.

We have two exciting opportunities to join our highly respected team. Whether you are an experienced employment law specialist ready to take on a senior role, or you are looking to start your career in employment law, these posts offer a rewarding chance to work on a range of interesting and meaningful projects at the forefront of public interest.

You will play a key role in providing high quality, pragmatic, and reliable legal advice across a broad range of employment issues. Working closely with HR colleagues, managers, schools, and external clients, you will contribute to a professional, forward thinking legal practice that prides itself on high standards, collaboration, and delivering excellent public service outcomes.

What you’ll do:

Both roles involve varied and often fast paced employment law work, including:

• Providing clear and accessible advice to senior managers, HR colleagues, schools, and external clients on a wide range of issues, including disciplinary and grievance processes, discrimination, whistleblowing, sickness absence, redundancies, reorganisations, and TUPE.
• Preparing and drafting key documents such as settlement agreements and risk reports.
• Representing the Council and other clients in Employment Tribunal matters, including case preparation, drafting pleadings and other key documents, evaluating evidence, and representation at some hearings.
• Conducting detailed legal research on legislation, case law, and emerging developments, ensuring managers and colleagues are provided with accessible and pragmatic guidance.

In addition, Senior Legal Advisers will:

• Lead on more complex or high risk employment matters and negotiations.
• Draft and negotiate complex agreements and handle sensitive, high profile issues.
• Provide support, guidance, and informal supervision to junior colleagues.

What we’re looking for:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Pragmatic, solution-focussed approach.
• Recent experience of providing legal advice.
• Good self-organisation and case-management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Good understanding of client care.
• Ability to travel throughout the County as required.

For the Senior Legal Adviser role you will also need:

• Strong technical knowledge of UK employment law.
• Relevant experience in employment law.
• Experience advising on complex, sensitive, or high value employment matters.
• Proven ability to draft and negotiate complex legal documents.
• Experience supporting or mentoring junior colleagues.
• Confidence in providing authoritative advice to senior leaders and external partners.

We offer hybrid working with an ability to attend our Winchester office. The current requirements are office attendance for one day per week with the remainder working remotely, although you'll need to attend meetings in person when required.

Our Legal Team is supportive and welcoming and we offer a good work-life balance through flexible working and an excellent benefits package including:

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Between 25-28 days annual leave (dependent on Local Authority service).
• Access to online professional legal research resources.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.