Legal Counsel (Employment)

Manchester Arndale; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading facilities management company is seeking a qualified solicitor to support the Employment Legal team. The role involves managing tribunal claims, providing legal advice, and drafting employment documents. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and a minimum of 2 years of PQE in employment law. This position offers opportunities for professional development and career progression within an inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor with practicing certificate required.
• Minimum 2+ years of experience in employment law.

Responsibilities

• Manage employment tribunal processes and compliance.
• Provide legal advice on employment topics to stakeholders.
• Draft and review HR policies and employment documents.

Skills

Communication

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Problem Solving

Commercial Awareness

Education

Qualified solicitor with current practicing certificate

Minimum 2+ years PQE

Job description

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values -Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

About The Role:

This role will support the Senior Employment Counsel and other members of the Employment Legal team with ensuring that employment legal advice and support (both contentious and non-contentious) is delivered effectively and efficiently to stakeholders in the wider UK&I business. This role is primarily tasked with:

1. Assisting with the defence of employment tribunal claims (usually with the support of counsel to provide advocacy support) and supporting the business with making strategic decisions about the defence or settlement of the same;
2. Helping the Senior Employment Counsel manage third party stakeholders such as preferred counsel and jurisdictional external lawyers in ROI, NI and Scotland;
3. Supporting HR and operational colleagues with their understanding of the application of the TUPE Regulations to the provision of our services and the commencement/termination of commercial contracts
4. Providing employment legal advice and guidance in relation to the application of employment legislation to the business and its activities (such as the impact of changes to employment rights) and in relation to business driven projects and initiatives (such as the implementation of new HR systems or the introduction of new salary sacrifice benefits);
5. Reviewing and drafting documents such as template employment contracts, settlement agreements, policies and processes;
6. In conjunction with the HR team, providing training to upskill our people managers and our business leaders.

Key tasks and responsibilities include:

Functional

• Manage employment tribunal processes by liaising with necessary third parties (claimants, counsel, tribunal etc), managing compliance with key dates and drafting ET3s, witness statements and other necessary documents;
• Provide status updates and opinions to business stakeholders in relation to employment tribunal claims and our prospects for successful defence of the same;
• Negotiate settlement agreements and COT3s with claimants and exiting employees;
• Draft a variety of employment/people related documents such as template employment contracts and consultancy agreements;
• Support with IR35 checks conducted by the business;
• Draft, review and update HR policies and processes in conjunction with the HR team;
• Support with industrial relations and trade union activity;
• Prepare and deliver training to key stakeholders such as the HR team and business leaders;
• Provide accurate, relevant and timely legal advice and support to internal stakeholders on a variety of employment legal topics that relate to the operation of the business;
• Promote legal, compliance and risk management best practice throughout the business;
• Responsible for staying up-to-date with changes to law and legislation, particularly in relation to laws, rules and regulations that directly affect the business and our services.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified solicitor with current practicing certificate (allowing practice in England and Wales)
• Minimum 2+ years PQE (practicing employment law)
• Preferable industrial relations and trade union experience

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal issues in simple terms
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with a proven ability to influence at all levels
• Confident navigating, negotiating and advising on complex commercial contracts
• Keen eye for detail
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Good commercial awareness and business acumen
• Proactive, problem-solving attitude
• Ability to work under pressure, plan personal workload effectively and delegate appropriately
• High level of integrity and dependability with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and upholding legal compliance

How to Apply:

If you are interested in joining a business that encourages professional development, career progression and the chance to work with inspirational people then please click apply and register your interest! You can also sign up to our job alerts when registering which will notify you when other suitable vacancies are available.

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.