Senior Legal Counsel, Employment

PowerOptions, Inc.; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company seeks a Senior Legal Counsel, Employment to provide legal guidance across various operations. The role involves advising on employment law, drafting policies, and collaborating with HR and management. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in UK employment law and strong interpersonal skills, thriving in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

25 days holiday

Access to internal training provider

Enhanced Maternity/Adoption, Paternity and Shared Parental Leave Pay

Flexible working

Qualifications

• At least 5 years’ post-qualification experience as an employment lawyer.
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices.
• Experience advising on contentious and non-contentious employment matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on employment law issues including employee relations.
• Draft policies, internal procedures, and employment contracts.
• Conduct legal risk assessments and manage employee-related investigations.

Skills

Judgment

Discretion

Problem Solving

Interpersonal Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Communication

Education

Qualified lawyer (England & Wales)

Job description

About Bauer Media Group We are a media business focused on creating content that matters to millions of people across Europe. Our offering extends from audio broadcasting and entertainment to print and online publishing and out-of-home advertising, alongside investments in other media-related sectors. Reaching over 61 million listeners weekly, we operate over 150 radio and podcast brands in nine countries, spanning the UK, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Portugal. With more than 500 million copies sold each year, we are one of Europe’s largest Publishers. From women’s and celebrity magazines to TV listings to food and special interest, we own some of the most popular publishing brands in Germany, UK, Poland and France – both digital and print. We are also one of the largest outdoor advertising businesses in Europe, with operations spanning 12 European countries, helping advertisers reach millions of consumers through 110,000 out-of-home assets. Family-owned in the 5th generation, Bauer Media focuses on the long-term, with a consumer-first mindset that guides us across our diverse portfolio. Our workforce of 12,000 shares a common purpose: to deliver content and services that enrich people‘s everyday lives.
About the Role We’re looking for a Senior Legal Counsel, Employment to join our UK Legal Department. Reporting to the General Counsel, UK Audio, you’ll act as a key advisor on employment law matters across our UK operations — spanning audio, publishing, and outdoor advertising. In addition to the broader UK and Group legal teams, the role will also work closely with Bauer Media’s UK Human Resources, Payroll, Facilities and Tax functions, building trusted relationships and delivering pragmatic, business-focused legal guidance in a fast-moving media environment. This is an exciting opportunity for a legal professional who thrives on variety, challenge, and strategic influence.
Location : Hybrid – London or Peterborough
Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on employment law issues, including employee relations, discrimination, harassment, and workplace investigations
• Draft policies and internal procedures and draft, review, and advise on employment contracts, all in alignment with group-wide standards and terms
• Conduct legal risk assessments and suggest appropriate mitigation strategies
• Manage or support employee-related investigations and disputes
• Collaborate with HR, tax, payroll and management teams to develop compliance training
• Stay updated on employment law changes, and proactively advise Bauer’s HR and leadership teams on changes in legislation and its implications
• Assist in the development and implementation of HR policies and procedures in alignment with group-wide practices
• Support recruitment processes by providing legal insights on candidate screening and employment agreements

Skills & Experience
Essential

• Qualified lawyer (England & Wales) with at least 5 years’ post-qualification experience as an employment lawyer
• Strong working knowledge of UK employment law and HR best practices
• Experience advising on contentious and non-contentious employment matters
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
• Proactive and adaptable, with a continuous learning mindset and resilience under pressure
• Confident communicator with the ability to mediate and manage sensitive issues diplomatically

Preferred

• In-house legal experience, ideally in the media and entertainment sector

What’s in it for you

• You’ll have 25 days holiday, bank holidays & 2 volunteer days to use
• Your development matters, so access to our internal training provider – Bauer Academy, is a huge win
• We have enhanced Maternity/Adoption, Paternity and Shared Parental Leave Pay
• You’ll have the opportunity for flexible working
• And much more! Find the full details of our benefits here

If you are looking for an exciting opportunity and you bring the necessary skills to enrich our existing team, we look forward to receiving your complete application documents. We are an international employer and equal opportunity is important to us. That's why we welcome everyone in their uniqueness, regardless of, for example, religion, gender, skin color or disability. Date: 19 May 2025 Location: London, GB, NW1 2PL Req ID: 2783