Senior Legal Counsel - Employment, Compensation & Benefits

Legal Counsel – Employment, Compensation & Benefits (VP Level)

Location: Manchester, UK | Hybrid

Contract: 6 months – Daily rate

A leading global financial institution is seeking a qualified lawyer (5+ years PQE or equivalent) to join its EMEA Legal team. This Vice President-level role supports employment and compensation & benefits legal matters across the region, reporting to senior global legal leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice on employment, labour, and benefits issues across EMEA.
• Advise on M&A, outsourcing, TUPE, redundancies, and regulatory compliance.
• Draft and review employment contracts, incentive plans, and benefit policies.
• Support employee relations, disputes, and litigation.
• Collaborate with HR, business, and legal teams locally and globally.
• Manage external counsel and assist with legal training initiatives.

About You:

• Solid experience in UK employment law, with exposure to cross-border matters.
• Knowledge of financial services regulations around pay and benefits.
• Skilled in legal drafting, negotiation, and managing stakeholders.
• In-house or financial services background preferred but not essential.
• Adaptable, commercially focused, and strong communicator.

If you’re looking to join a dynamic legal team in a global environment, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t meet every requirement.