Senior Associate

Markel; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global insurance firm is seeking a Senior Associate for their Employment Law team in Manchester. The role involves providing expert legal services on employment law issues and supporting clients through disputes. Candidates should have strong skills in document drafting and customer care, as well as experience in both contentious and non-contentious work. The firm offers a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for career development. If you're ready to make a meaningful difference, apply now.

Benefits

Annual bonus

25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays

Private medical and dental cover

Fantastic company pension scheme

Income protection

Qualifications

• Experience in both contentious and non-contentious work.
• Experience communicating effectively in a professional environment.
• Sound working knowledge of electronic research facilities.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert legal services in employment law.
• Advising on HR issues and handling grievances.
• Conducting proceedings in the Employment Tribunal.

Skills

Excellent customer-care skill

Analytical and problem-solving approach

Good document-drafting skills

Ability to gain and retain client confidence

Experience in prioritising and multi-tasking

Education

Solicitor/barrister practicing certificate

Job description

Looking for a new legal role that will have a meaningful impact on the clients we work with? We are searching for a Senior Associate to join our Markel Employment Law team! What part will you play? If you’re looking for a place where you can make a meaningful difference, you’ve found it. The work we do at Markel gives people the confidence to move forward and seize opportunities, and you’ll find your fit amongst our global community of optimists and problem‑solvers. We’re always pushing each other to go further because we believe that when we realise our potential, we can help others reach theirs. Join us and play your part in something special.

The opportunity:

Providing a range of expert legal services to clients, as well as supporting the Division/Department to assist in developing client base. Advising insurers, insured and private clients in relation to general employment law issues and existing or contemplated employment disputes prior to the issue of proceedings.

What you’ll be doing:

• All aspects of ACAS early conciliation including settlement and agreements.
• Providing opinions on prospects.
• Advising on general day‑to‑day HR issues and assisting with grievance and disciplinary procedures.
• Reviewing, advising upon and drafting employment documents such as settlement agreements, contracts of employment and company handbooks/policies.
• Advising upon more complex project work such as collective consultation and TUPE.

Conducting proceedings in the Employment Tribunal on behalf of insured or private clients; to include:

• Reviewing papers.
• Drafting claims or responses and EAT applications/responses.
• Complying with all case‑management instructions.
• Briefing counsel.
• Attending hearings personally where appropriate.
• Preparing witness statements.
• Ensuring that relevant stakeholders are kept up‑to‑date in relation to prospects.

Assisting in disseminating employment law updates, mail shots, training to clients, the insurer and across other Markel Law departments, to include:

• Assisting in the drafting of employment law material for use by colleagues or clients.
• Assisting in the presentation of courses in employment law for the benefit of colleagues, clients or prospective clients.
• Assisting colleagues in other departments by, where necessary, conducting disciplinary or grievance hearings or investigations.
• Keeping accurate records and time record in an appropriate manner.
• Invoicing clients as necessary.
• Line management experience – assisting with the development and direct supervision of junior staff.

Our must‑haves:

• Experience in undertaking both contentious and non‑contentious work.
• Experience of communicating effectively in a professional environment with a range of people.
• Excellent customer‑care skill.
• Analytical and problem‑solving approach to advice.
• Good document‑drafting skills and an eye for detail.
• Ability to gain and retain client confidence.
• Sound working knowledge of all appropriate electronic research facilities.
• Experience of prioritising and multi‑tasking.
• Experience of liaising appropriately with external contacts and internal contacts at all levels of the organisation.
• Maintain CPD and practising certificate as a solicitor/barrister in the UK.

Who we are:

Markel Group (NYSE – MKL) a Fortune 500 company with over 60 offices in 20+ countries, is a holding company for insurance, reinsurance, specialist advisory, and investment operations around the world.

We’re all about people | We win together | We strive for better | We enjoy the everyday | We think further.

What’s in it for you?

• A great starting salary plus annual bonus & strong benefits package.
• 25 days paid holiday plus Bank Holidays, with the opportunity to buy/sell extra leave.
• Fantastic company pension scheme, private medical and dental cover, life assurance, travel insurance cover, income protection, season ticket loan as well as other great benefits on offer.
• Countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career, with support needed to do just that.

Are you ready to play your part?

Choose ‘Apply Now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

Markel celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you. We are also happy to consider candidates who are looking for flexible working patterns.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with all reasonable accommodations to be able to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions if successful. Please contact us via email at [e-mail] or call us at 0161 507 5827 to request any accommodations that may be needed. This includes any alternative formats of any documents or information on how to apply offline.

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