Senior Employment Lawyer

Colt Technology Services; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A global telecommunications company seeks an experienced employment lawyer to join its corporate law team. This role involves working with senior leadership on complex employment law matters across multiple jurisdictions and providing legal guidance for strategic HR projects. Candidates should have over 15 years of legal experience, ideally in-house, and a strong proficiency in German law. Benefits include flexible working options and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Extensive induction programme

Opportunities for further development

Global Family Leave Policy

Employee Assistance Program

Internal inclusion & diversity initiatives

Qualifications

• Strong academic background with legal knowledge and excellent drafting skills.
• Experience with German Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
• In-depth knowledge of German labour law.
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet deadlines.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Engaging with senior stakeholders on employment law matters.
• Providing support on strategic employment law projects.
• Managing employment risks including redundancy and performance issues.
• Drafting and negotiating various employment agreements.
• Advising on legal cases involving employment matters.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Drafting skills

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Commercial acumen

Proficiency in German

Solution-oriented approach

Education

Legal qualification in the UK

15+ years of post-qualification experience

Job description

Reports to: VP Corporate Law & Deputy General Counsel. Set up: Hybrid / Remote. We have a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious and talented employment lawyer to join our expanding corporate law team, reporting to the Employment Law Director who has responsibility for employment law globally. This role is a key contact point for the wider global HR function and will support the business on a range of employment law matters, including providing advice on complex, cross‑functional, and multi‑jurisdictional transformation projects supporting Colt's business and HR priorities; manage legal and employee relations risk for the business; and support delivery against our strategic people priorities. We are interested in candidates who are available on a full‑time basis. Ideally you will have trained in a leading City or regional law firm before gaining in‑house experience.

Responsibilities

• Engaging with senior stakeholders, including at the C‑Suite level, on employment law matters.
• Providing critical support and leading the employment law advice required on strategic projects both on a national and/or global level.
• Managing and advising on a wide range of strategic employment law risks and issues, including redundancy, performance, sickness absence, TUPE and compensation and benefits.
• Drafting, advising on and negotiating, as required, various agreements, including contracts of employment, settlement agreements and supporting general commercial outsourcing and supplier contracts involving employment matters.
• Advising on complex and routine legal cases involving employment matters such as compliances, internal investigations and disciplinary/grievance matters.
• Managing employment litigation with the support of external counsel.
• Reviewing and advising on HR processes and policies, working closely with local HR teams and Global ER and HR Policy Director.
• Partnering with members of the Legal team and other functional stakeholders such as Rewards, Tax, Procurement, Finance and Audit.
• Monitoring changes in employment legislation, regulations, guidelines and practices affecting Colt, ensuring they are analysed, evaluated and implemented as required.
• Supporting and adhering to engagement with European and national work councils.
• Engaging with external legal advisors as required.
• Providing guidance and training for HR team members on employment law matters.
• Experience with employment law on post‑acquisition integration (plus).

Qualifications

• Strong academic background with legal knowledge and excellent drafting skills; ideally 15+ years of post‑qualification experience (PQE).
• Proven experience in negotiating German Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
• Legal qualification in the UK with exposure to international employment law, preferably with a strong focus on Germany.
• In‑depth knowledge of German labour law, particularly regarding works council rights and the ability to determine optimal timing for transitioning from internal negotiations to judicial proceedings (conciliation board vs. arbitration).
• Experience supporting organisational design initiatives, including drafting and negotiating (partial) balance of interest agreements related to organisational changes.
• Full proficiency in German (written and spoken).
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong commercial acumen with a solution‑oriented approach.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and handle a varied workload effectively.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, capable of delivering difficult messages positively and working collaboratively.
• Clear and concise communication skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet deadlines and manage time efficiently.

Desirable Qualifications

• Highly desirable: experience advising on social plan negotiations in Germany and France.
• Experience in renegotiating CBAs.
• Working knowledge of additional European languages.
• Exposure to employment law internationally beyond Germany and the UK.
• Experience with advising on social plan negotiations in multiple jurisdictions.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours and the option to work from home.
• Extensive induction programme with experienced mentors and buddies.
• Opportunities for further development and educational opportunities.
• Global Family Leave Policy.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Internal inclusion & diversity employee networks.

Diversity and Inclusion

Inclusion and valuing diversity of thought and experience are at the heart of our culture here at Colt. From day one, you'll be encouraged to be yourself because we believe that's what helps our people to thrive. We welcome people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, neurodiversity, age, marital status, pregnancy status or place of birth.