Senior Lawyer (Employment) - Surrey County Council

Michael Page Legal; London; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading legal recruitment firm is seeking an Employment Senior Lawyer to provide expert legal advice on a range of employment law issues. The successful candidate will manage tribunal cases, collaborate with HR, and supervise junior team members. This role offers a competitive salary and generous benefits, including extensive leave and a local government pension scheme.

Benefits

26 days' holiday plus public holidays

Option to purchase additional annual leave

Family-friendly policies

Employee Assistance Programme

Local government pension scheme

Lifestyle discounts

Paid volunteering days

Learning and development resources

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in employment law practice.
• Ability to provide clear and practical legal advice.
• Experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide solutions-focused advice on Employment law matters.
• Manage Employment Tribunal cases and liaise with ACAS.
• Conduct internal training sessions and provide legal updates.

Skills

Employment law

Legal advice

Client management

Tribunal case management

Education

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEx Fellow

Job description

As an Employment Senior Lawyer, you will be expected to provide solutions-focused advice on Employment law matters on a wide range of issues including disciplinary action, grievances, discrimination, whistleblowing, recruitment, restructures, TUPE, and exit strategies.

Client Details

Our Client is Surrey County Council.

Description

As an Employment Senior Lawyer, your key responsibilities will include:

1. Providing solutions-focused advice on Employment law matters to the Council, Surrey Fire and Rescue, and Surrey schools.
2. Collaborating with Human Resources to offer practical support and technical legal advice on matters such as disciplinary actions, grievances, discrimination, whistleblowing, recruitment, restructures, TUPE, and exit strategies.
3. Managing Employment Tribunal cases on behalf of the Council, liaising with ACAS for conciliation, drafting responses to claims, and advocating at hearings.
4. Instructing and managing external legal service providers, such as solicitors and barristers, in accordance with client requirements.
5. Conducting internal training sessions, providing legal updates on relevant topics, and advising Members and Senior Officers of the Council.

The role also involves supervising junior team members, including trainees and paralegals, ensuring effective use of the Council's case management systems, and adherence to standards outlined in the team's Lexcel manual and policies.

Profile

The successful candidate will:

1. Be a qualified Solicitor, Barrister, or CILEx Fellow with substantial experience in employment law practice.
2. Have experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters, with the ability to work effectively with clients at all levels, providing clear, accurate, and practical advice.

NB: Surrey County Council welcomes applications from candidates with relevant experience from both the public and private sectors. Private sector candidates should demonstrate an understanding of local authority operations and the ability to transfer their skills effectively to the local government context.

Job Offer

The starting salary ranges from £59,868 to £65,755 per annum, depending on experience, based on a 36-hour workweek.

Additional benefits include:

1. 26 days' holiday plus public holidays (pro-rated for part-time staff), increasing to 28 days after 2 years and 30 days after 5 years of service.
2. Option to purchase up to 10 additional days of annual leave.
3. Family-friendly policies with excellent maternity, paternity, and adoption entitlements, plus up to 5 days of carer's leave annually.
4. An extensive Employee Assistance Programme supporting health and wellbeing.
5. A generous local government pension scheme.
6. Lifestyle discounts on gym memberships, travel, shopping, and more.
7. Two paid volunteering days plus one team volunteering day per year.
8. A learning and development hub offering a variety of resources.