Senior Employment Lawyer

Colt Technology Services; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications provider is seeking an ambitious employment lawyer to join its corporate law team in Liverpool. This full-time position requires in-house experience and strong proficiency in German. Responsibilities include engaging with senior stakeholders, providing legal support on strategic employment law matters globally, and managing employment litigation. The role also involves drafting various employment-related agreements and advising on HR processes. Ideal candidates will have 15+ years PQE and a solid understanding of German labor law.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Option to work from home

Employee assistance program

Opportunities for further development

Qualifications

• 15+ years of PQE with strong academic background in law.
• Legal qualification in the UK and exposure to international employment law.
• Full proficiency in German (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Engage with senior stakeholders on employment law matters.
• Provide critical legal support on strategic projects globally.
• Advise on employment law risks including redundancy and performance issues.
• Draft and negotiate contracts related to employment matters.

Skills

Dispute Resolution

Building and Managing Teams

Supervisory Leadership

Relationship Management

Contract Law

Education

BA or MA in law or a relevant field

Job description

Job Overview

We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and talented employment lawyer to join our growing corporate law team. This position will serve as a key point of contact for our global HR function and provide expert support on a wide range of employment law matters. The role is full‑time and requires in‑house experience after training at a leading City or regional law firm.

What You Will Do

• Engage with senior stakeholders including at the C‑Suite level on employment law matters.
• Provide critical support and lead employment law advice required on strategic projects both nationally and globally.
• Manage and advise on a wide range of strategic employment law risks and issues including redundancy, performance, sickness absence, TUPE and compensation and benefits.
• Draft, advise on and negotiate a variety of agreements, including contracts of employment, settlement agreements and supporting general commercial outsourcing and supplier contracts involving employment matters.
• Advise on complex and routine legal cases involving employment matters including compliances, internal investigations and disciplinary/grievance matters.
• Manage employment litigation with the support of external counsel.
• Review and advise on HR processes and policies, working closely with local HR teams and the Global ER and HR Policy Director.
• Partner with members of our Legal team and other functional stakeholders such as Rewards, Tax, Procurement, Finance and Audit.
• Monitor changes in employment legislation, regulations, guidelines and practices affecting Colt and analyze, evaluate and implement them as required.
• Support engagement with European and national work councils.
• Engage with external legal advisors as required.
• Provide guidance and training for HR team members on employment law matters.

Qualifications

• Strong academic background with legal knowledge and excellent drafting skills; ideally 15+ years of PQE.
• Proven experience in negotiating German Works Agreements.
• Legal qualification in the UK / qualified solicitor with exposure to international employment law, strong focus on Germany.
• In‑depth knowledge of German labour law, particularly works council rights, and ability to determine timing for transitioning from internal negotiations to judicial proceedings.
• Experience supporting organisational design initiatives, including drafting and negotiating 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, delivering difficult messages positively and working collaboratively.
• Clear and concise communication skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet deadlines and manage time efficiently.

Desirable

• Experience advising on social plan negotiations in Germany and France.
• Experience in re‑negotiating Works Agreements.
• 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.

Skills

• Dispute Resolution
• Building and Managing Teams
• Supervisory Leadership
• Relationship Management
• Contract Law

Education

BA or MA in law or a relevant field.

Additional Information About Colt

Colt provides network, voice and data centre services to thousands of businesses around the world, allowing them to focus on delivering their business goals instead of the underlying infrastructure.

At Colt you’ll make a difference. We empower people and encourage them to take initiative. Our global teams are full of ambitious, driven people working towards a shared purpose: to put the power of the digital universe in the hands of our customers wherever, whenever and however they want.

We give our people the opportunity to inspire and lead teams, and work on projects that connect people, cities, businesses, and ideas. We want you to help us change the world, for the better.

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 thrive. We welcome people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, neurodiversity, age, marital status, pregnancy status or place of birth.

Our benefits support you through all parts of life, for both physical and mental health: flexible working hours and the option to work from home; extensive induction program with experienced mentors and buddies; opportunities for further development and educational opportunities; global family leave policy; employee assistance program; internal inclusion & diversity employee networks.

When you join Colt you become part of a global network. We are proud of our colleagues and the stories and experience they bring. Take a look at Our People site including our Empowered Women in Tech.