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News UK; Camden Town; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company in Camden Town seeks a qualified solicitor for the Employment Legal team. The role involves advising HR on employee relations, drafting contracts, and assisting with corporate transactions. Ideal candidates will have strong knowledge of UK employment law and excellent communication skills, working in a dynamic, hybrid environment.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Discounted gym memberships

Generous pension scheme

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Experience in a quality private practice employment department.
• Some in-house experience is ideal.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK employment law.

Responsibilities

• Partner with HR advising on employee relations.
• Draft and negotiate contracts.
• Assist with commercial contracts and corporate transactions.

Skills

Strong PQE

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Education

Qualified solicitor (able to practice in England and Wales)

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity to join News UK working in the Employment Legal team. This is a new, permanent role offering the chance to demonstrate and develop your knowledge and experience in a fast-paced and dynamic media organisation. The Employment Legal team is a key part of our full-service legal department, specialising in a wide range of areas including corporate, M&A, commercial, IP, technology, property, media, compliance and data protection law. In this role you will have the opportunity to work on a broad spectrum of matters across all parts of the business. You will work closely with a Legal Director and a Senior Legal Counsel to provide timely and commercially astute employment legal advice to our HR team and business leaders.

Responsibilities

• Partner with HR colleagues in the UK and Ireland, advising on employee relations matters such as grievance and disciplinary processes, performance management, contractual issues, employment status, sickness absence management and the application of company policies. You will also advise on diversity and inclusion matters and other ad hoc queries as they arise.
• Draft and negotiate contracts, e.g. settlement agreements, independent contractor agreements and apprenticeship training supplier agreements.
• Assist with commercial contracts and corporate transactions, including advising on TUPE transfers, conducting due diligence and drafting contractual provisions on employment matters.
• Advise on AI-related queries as they relate to the employee and talent populations.
• Work with the HR team to review and update policies and precedents and assist with the development of new policies and precedents when needed.
• Assist with employment litigation, training and providing key legal updates to the business and the HR team.
• Carry out legal research (including using specialist legal AI tools) and maintain internal and intra-group risk registers.
• Draft, review and negotiate talent and retainer contracts and be involved in conducting tax status assessments for independent contractors, collaborating with the Tax team.

Qualifications

• A qualified solicitor (able to practise in England and Wales) with experience in a quality private practice employment department.
• Ideally some in-house experience (including secondments).
• Strong PQE with comprehensive knowledge of UK employment law and best practice and confident advising independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey legal advice clearly and concisely in a commercial context.
• A methodical approach to work, with a strong focus on accuracy and quality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working with colleagues at all levels across the business.
• Dynamic and agile, able to work to deadlines and prioritise tasks in a demanding and fast-paced commercial environment.
• Ability to carry out all responsibilities in a way that supports the company\'s values and promotes high ethical standards.

About News UK & Benefits

News UK is a leading media business in the UK and Ireland. Our brands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday, The TLS, talkSPORT, Times Radio and Virgin Radio UK, with local stations across Ireland. We deliver news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to millions and are committed to diversity, inclusion and responsible storytelling.

We operate a hybrid work model, currently requiring a minimum of three days per week in the office. Some roles may require additional in-office days; please discuss this with your recruiter for specific requirements.

We emphasise a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our Diversity Strategy guides our approach to reflect the communities we serve. Our employee networks and groups help foster a collaborative culture.

Benefits

• Private medical insurance including coverage for pre-existing conditions
• Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly exercise classes (in-person/virtual)
• Bikes for Work and Electric Car scheme
• Up to 60% discount on HarperCollins books
• Maternity leave up to 18 weeks of basic salary and paternity leave up to 2 weeks
• Access to exclusive events and competitions with brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK & The Times
• Wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling
• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions up to 5%
• Training opportunities including LinkedIn Learning
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and up to 4 volunteering days per year