Principal Corporate Counsel (Employment) Application deadline: October 28, 2025 Meet the Team Y[...]

Cisco Systems Inc; Camden Town; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology company is seeking a qualified lawyer with over 7 years of experience in employment law to join their People Legal Team. This role involves providing counsel on a range of employment issues and handling disputes across the EMEA region. Ideal candidates should possess strong interpersonal skills and a passion for collaborative problem-solving. The company offers comprehensive benefits and a commitment to fostering a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Annual bonuses

Paid holidays and vacation time

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Qualifications

• 7+ years' post-qualification experience in employment law.
• Strong background in advising on employment matters across EMEA.
• In-house legal experience preferred in high-growth technology sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel on all areas of employment law.
• Handle employment disputes and advise on investigations.
• Build training programs for HR partners.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills in English

Strategic thinking

Relationship-building

Agility to make decisions

Education

Qualified lawyer (LLB, JD, or equivalent)

Job description

Overview

Join Cisco's People Legal Team (Employment Legal) and be a trusted and creative legal partner to Cisco's People & Communities (HR) organization and the entire enterprise in the EMEA Region. You will help enhance Cisco's employee experience and solve complex problems at the intersection of law and culture. The People Legal Team consists of pragmatic lawyers and legal professionals responsible for the full portfolio of employment law matters. We take pride in thinking through the practical implications of risk and helping run a company that is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work. In this role, you will report to the Director, Associate General Counsel, EMEA People Legal.

Responsibilities

• Provide counsel to leaders and People & Communities on all areas of employment law, including recruitment, onboarding, compensation, benefits, flexible working, performance management, employee relations, and workplace changes.
• Shape Cisco's people practices, offer learning opportunities, investigate concerns, and develop a comprehensive legal environment.
• Handle employment disputes, litigation, and advise on employee investigations across EMEA, managing outside counsel to maximize value.
• Monitor legislative changes, assess their impact on Cisco's people practices, and advise accordingly.
• Build training programs to enable and empower People & Communities (HR) partners.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer (LLB, JD, or equivalent) in any EU jurisdiction (England & Wales preferred), with 7+ years' post-qualification experience in employment law.
• Strong background advising on employment matters across EMEA, ideally in a multinational or leading law firm.
• In-house legal experience within a fast-paced, high-growth multinational technology company or similar is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills in English; additional European languages are an advantage.
• You have a real passion for employment law and enjoy partnering with leaders, HR professionals and Cisco team members to find the best solutions. You have a deep understanding of employment-related issues.
• You ask the right questions, think strategically, and are willing to question the status quo. You listen to and understand the needs of your clients.
• You are agile, think on your feet, and are not afraid to make decisions through intentional assessment of risks.
• You have strong relationship-building skills and are able to lead cross-functional projects.
• You are a self-starter, able to work independently, and have excellent written and oral advocacy and interpersonal skills.
• You embrace continuous learning and adaptability, with a sense of humor.

About Cisco and People Legal

People Legal is part of a Cisco Legal organization with 450+ Legal and Compliance professionals in 25+ countries committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment as we work together to drive Cisco's success. We serve as trusted advisors to the business—problem solving, navigating complexities, and enabling transformation along the way. We use technology to make life easier by leveraging Cisco's networking and collaboration tools to enable flexible, hybrid work. We embrace the responsibility to be a force for good, donating time and expertise through pro bono and community impact initiatives.

At Cisco, we are revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era—and beyond. We have been innovating for 40 years to power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. Our solutions provide customers with security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Simply put – we power the future.

Salary and Benefits

When available, the salary range posted for this position reflects the projected hiring range for new hires, full-time salaries in U.S. and/or Canada locations, not including equity or benefits. For non-sales roles the hiring ranges reflect base salary only; employees are also eligible to receive annual bonuses. Hiring ranges for sales positions include base and incentive compensation target. Individual pay is determined by the candidate's hiring location and other factors including skillset, experience, and education or training. U.S. employees have access to medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with Cisco matching, disability coverage, life insurance, and wellbeing offerings. All new hires receive paid holidays, vacation time, sick time, and other time-off provisions in accordance with local laws and Cisco policy. Details are provided during the hiring process.