Senior Associate - Employment

Simpson Judge Ltd; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent annual leave

Health cash plan

Gym and lifestyle benefits

Hybrid working

Job summary

Simpson Judge Ltd in the UK is seeking an experienced Employment Solicitor or Legal Executive to lead a busy Employment Law Group. You will oversee a team of employment lawyers, provide technical guidance, and contribute to strategic and commercial development within the firm.

Based in Bristol or Leeds, this hybrid role offers two days in the office and three days remote, with both full-time and part-time options.

Qualifications

• Qualified as a Solicitor, Barrister, or FCILEx, or equivalent extensive experience.
• Extensive experience across employment law, including both claimant and respondent matters.
• Strong leadership and people development experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership, guidance and supervision to a team of employment solicitors and paralegals.
• Line manage, mentor and develop members of the team, supporting their professional growth and performance.
• Maintain a personal caseload, taking responsibility for complex employment matters and providing sound, commercially focused advice.
• Handle all aspects of Employment Tribunal litigation, including both claimant and respondent work.
• Lead case audits and ensure consistently high standards of technical quality, compliance and client service.
• Support the group leader in maximising profitability, operational efficiency and overall team performance.
• Manage employee performance, complaints and associated compliance matters.
• Contribute to recruitment, team development and the ongoing growth of the employment practice.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, clients and external business partners.

Skills

Employment law expertise

Team leadership

Client advisory

Strategic thinking

Education

Solicitor or Barrister or FCILEx

Job description

Employment Solicitor/Legal Executive (Senior Associate)

Bristol or Leeds | Hybrid Working (2 days office / 3 days remote) | Full-time or Part-time

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Employment Law Solicitor or Legal Executive to join an established and highly regarded national legal practice in a senior leadership capacity. This is an opportunity for a strong technical employment lawyer with an established track record of managing, supervising and developing a team of employment lawyers. The successful individual will combine extensive employment law expertise with the leadership ability to oversee a busy team, maintain technical standards and contribute to the wider strategic and commercial development of the group. The position can be based in either Bristol or Leeds, with an attractive hybrid working arrangement of just two days in the office and three days working remotely.

The Opportunity

You will join an established Employment Law Group, advising a diverse client base that includes businesses, insurers, individuals and wider institutions. Taking responsibility for both your own caseload and the performance and development of the wider team, you will play a key role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services. You will work closely with senior management, providing technical guidance, supporting operational performance and helping shape the future direction of the group. There is also scope for longer-term career progression through the firm's associate structure and towards senior management or Partnership.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership, guidance and supervision to a team of employment solicitors and paralegals.


• Line manage, mentor and develop members of the team, supporting their professional growth and performance.


• Maintain a personal caseload, taking responsibility for complex employment matters and providing sound, commercially focused advice.


• Handle all aspects of Employment Tribunal litigation, including both claimant and respondent work.


• Lead case audits and ensure consistently high standards of technical quality, compliance and client service.


• Support the group leader in maximising profitability, operational efficiency and overall team performance.


• Manage employee performance, complaints and associated compliance matters.


• Contribute to recruitment, team development and the ongoing growth of the employment practice.


• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, clients and external business partners.

The Ideal Candidate

This opportunity will suit an established employment lawyer who combines excellent technical ability with demonstrable experience of leading and managing an employment law team. You will ideally offer:

• Qualification as a Solicitor, Barrister or FCILEx, or equivalent extensive experience.


• Extensive experience across employment law, including both claimant and respondent matters.


• A strong technical understanding of employment law and Employment Tribunal litigation.


• Significant experience of managing, supervising and developing employment lawyers.
  
• Experience advising a varied client base, including both lay and insurer clients.


• The ability to provide clear, practical and commercially focused legal advice.


• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.


• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to demanding deadlines.

Importantly, this is not simply a senior fee-earning position. The firm is looking for someone who can take ownership of a team, provide technical direction and play an active role in developing its people and overall performance.

The Firm & Benefits

You will be joining a national legal practice with an established reputation for delivering legal services to both businesses and individuals. The firm works closely with a range of major business partners, including insurers, banks and membership organisations. Benefits include:

• Excellent annual leave entitlement and welfare benefits.


• Health cash plan.


• Gym and lifestyle benefits.


• Flexible hybrid working and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.


• Employee recognition and referral schemes.


• Ongoing training, development and career progression opportunities.


• A supportive and inclusive working environment.

Location & Working Arrangements

• Location: Bristol or Leeds.


• Hybrid working: 2 days in the office and 3 days remotely.


• Hours: Full-time and part-time applications welcomed.