At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on UK and EMEA employment law, supporting hiring, investigations, and employee relations.
- Company: Join Airwallex, a leading global payments platform with a dynamic team of innovators.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work with a global team and tackle complex legal challenges across multiple jurisdictions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping the future of global banking.
- Qualifications: 5-11 years of UK employment law experience; strong communication and collaboration skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Airwallex
Airwallex is the only unified payments and financial platform for global businesses. Powered by our unique combination of proprietary infrastructure and software, we empower over 200,000 businesses worldwide with fully integrated solutions to manage everything from business accounts, payments, spend management and treasury, to embedded finance at a global scale.
Proudly founded in Melbourne, we have a team of over 2,200 of the brightest and most innovative people in tech across 26 offices around the globe. Valued at US$8 billion and backed by world-leading investors, Airwallex is leading the charge in building the global payments and financial platform of the future.
If you’re ready to do the most ambitious work of your career, join us.
Attributes We Value
We hire successful builders with founder-like energy who want real impact, accelerated learning, and true ownership. You bring strong role-related expertise and sharp thinking, and you’re motivated by our mission and operating principles. You move fast with good judgment, dig deep with curiosity, and make decisions from first principles, balancing speed and rigor. You're humble and collaborative; turn zero‑to‑one ideas into real products, and you “get stuff done” end-to-end. You use AI to work smarter and solve problems faster. Here, you’ll tackle complex, high‑visibility problems with exceptional teammates and grow your career as we build the future of global banking. If that sounds like you, let’s build what’s next.
About the Role
We're seeking a sharp, pragmatic, and globally minded Senior Employment Counsel with deep UK employment law expertise to join our growing legal team. Based in our London office and reporting to our Associate Director, Employment Legal in San Francisco, this role will serve as the primary employment law advisor for our UK and EMEA operations while also supporting employment matters across our global footprint. We're looking for a responsive, clear communicator who can distill complex legal issues quickly and partner effectively with stakeholders across time zones. Both in-house and law firm experience are valued, ideally with a track record of working across multiple jurisdictions in complex, fast-scaling environments.
What You'll Do
- Serve as the go-to employment counsel for our UK and EMEA teams, advising on the full range of employment issues including hiring, performance management, terminations, compensation, investigations, and employee relations.
- Partner with the People team and business leaders to support compliant, scalable employee lifecycle practices across the region.
- Conduct and oversee internal workplace investigations.
- Collaborate on and lead employment-related litigation and pre-litigation matters.
- Develop and scale employment processes through policies, training, templates, and tooling tailored to UK and EMEA requirements.
- Monitor legal and regulatory developments across EMEA jurisdictions and assess their business impact.
- Support cross-border employment issues, including remote work, international expansion, and mobility.
- Work closely with employment counsel colleagues in other regions to ensure consistency and share best practices across the global legal team.
Who You Are
- 5–11 years’ post-qualification experience focused primarily on UK employment law, with a mix of in-house and law firm experience strongly preferred.
- Qualified solicitor in England and Wales; additional qualifications or experience in other EMEA jurisdictions a plus.
- Deep subject-matter expertise in UK employment law, with exposure to employment laws across EMEA.
- Proven ability to lead or advise on sensitive employee relations matters and investigations.
- A clear, concise communicator who can synthesize issues and provide actionable guidance quickly, with comfort operating across time zones.
- Skilled at working independently and navigating ambiguity in a high-growth, global business.
- Strong judgment, discretion, and a collaborative approach.
- Fluent in English; additional European languages are a plus.
Applicant Safety Policy: Fraud and Third-Party Recruiters
To protect you from recruitment scams, please be aware that Airwallex will not ask for bank details, sensitive ID numbers, or any form of payment during the application or interview process. All official communication will come from an @airwallex.com email address. Please apply only through careers.airwallex.com or our official LinkedIn page. Airwallex does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms/recruiters.
Equal opportunity
Airwallex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and anyone seeking employment at Airwallex is considered based on merit, qualifications, competence and talent.
Senior Employment Counsel - EMEA in London employer: Airwallex
Airwallex is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company offers ample opportunities for professional development and the chance to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the tech industry. Located in London, employees benefit from a vibrant city atmosphere while contributing to a global mission that empowers businesses worldwide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employment Counsel - EMEA in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Airwallex. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Airwallex's culture and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our mission and how you can contribute to our ambitious goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want to see your personality shine through, so don’t be afraid to let your passion for employment law show!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employment Counsel - EMEA in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Employment Counsel role. Highlight your UK employment law expertise and any relevant experience in fast-scaling environments. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a clear communicator, it's essential to demonstrate this in your written application. Use concise language and structure your thoughts logically. We’re looking for someone who can distill complex legal issues quickly, so make it easy for us to see that in your writing.
Highlight Your Collaborative Spirit:We value teamwork at StudySmarter, so don’t forget to mention your collaborative experiences. Share examples of how you've partnered with stakeholders or worked across time zones. This will show us that you can thrive in our global environment!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. We can’t wait to read what you’ve got to offer!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airwallex
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
As a Senior Employment Counsel, you’ll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of UK employment law. Brush up on recent legal developments and be ready to discuss how they impact businesses in the EMEA region. This shows you’re not just knowledgeable but also proactive about staying current.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to articulate complex legal issues clearly and concisely. You might even want to practice explaining a tricky legal concept to someone without a legal background. This will help you convey your ability to partner with stakeholders across different time zones.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Airwallex values collaboration, so be ready to share examples of how you’ve worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve partnered with HR or business leaders to navigate employment issues, showcasing your ability to work well with others.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your judgement and problem-solving skills. Think of specific situations you've encountered in your previous roles, particularly those involving sensitive employee relations matters. This will help you illustrate your practical experience and decision-making process.
