Group Employment Legal Counsel

We are looking for an Employment Lawyer to join our in-house legal team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in providing expert legal advice across a wide range of employment matters, partnering with our People and ER teams to help us stay ahead of the curve.

We offer hybrid working with our '3 days together, 2 days wherever' approach, so this role will be a mix of working from our Doncaster Support office and home.

What you'll be doing:

• Reporting to the Group Senior Legal Counsel (Employment & Commercial), deputising for them when necessary.
• Responsible and accountable for the delivery of timely, specialist legal advice on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters including contracts, disciplinary and grievance, absence, family leave, redundancy and restructuring, discrimination, whistleblowing.
• Work closely with the ER function on day-to-day matters advising on managing and resolving cases, identifying and managing risk, with a focus on strategy.
• Draft contracts of employment and undertake periodic reviews, responsible for ensuring they reflect best practice and are kept legally up to date.
• Support the Group People function in drafting, developing and renewing the Group's employment policies, ensuring they reflect best practice.
• Leading the day-to-day management of Employment Tribunal claims from start to finish with minimal supervision and where appropriate providing advocacy at preliminary Tribunal hearings.
• Advising on legal and commercial risks and setting the defence strategy.
• Prepare and deliver presentations/training sessions to educate and up-skill the Group People team on a variety of topics.
• Support the Group Senior Legal Counsel - Employment and Group General Counsel in advising on and implementing key projects with employment law aspects, including those which involve large scale consultations.
• Represent the Group companies positively in interactions with external bodies and opposing Counsel.
• Responsible for keeping the business up to date with legal developments and horizon scanning for changes which will impact policy and practice, preparing regular legal updates for circulation to relevant business areas.

The role is for you if...

• A qualified solicitor (4+ years PQE) with strong employment law expertise.
• A confident legal expert with excellent research, analytical, and drafting skills.
• A natural communicator who can break down complex legal advice into clear, practical guidance.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills with a well-honed ability to persuade both clients and opponents.
• Ability and confidence to give tailored legal advice which reflects sound judgement of commercial risk.
• Great at building relationships so that you can work as a true business partner, giving reasoned opinions on strategy and approach, not just a list of options.
• A commercially minded professional who balances legal risk with business priorities.
• A relationship builder, comfortable working with colleagues at all levels of the business.
• A proactive, organised individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
• Previous in-house experience is a plus, but not essential.

DFS Benefits:

• Car or car allowance.
• Annual bonus based on business performance.
• Hybrid working 3 days in Doncaster, 2 days from home.
• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy up to 5 extra days.
• Enhanced family leave including maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption leave.
• Paid volunteering day to support a cause you care about.
• Generous staff discounts 30% off DFS and Sofology products, plus big-brand savings at ASOS, IKEA, and more.
• Wellbeing perks including an Employee Assistance Programme, healthcare services, and discounted gym memberships.
• Pension & savings Group pension and Sharesave schemes.
• Life assurance & sick pay for added peace of mind.
• Private medical insurance (individual cover).