At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on UK employment law, support employee lifecycle practices, and lead workplace investigations.
- Company: Join Airwallex, a leading global payments platform with a dynamic team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant, innovative culture with a focus on career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-scaling environment while collaborating with top legal minds.
- Qualifications: 5-11 years of UK employment law experience; in-house and law firm background preferred.
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.
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.
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.
Senior UK & EMEA Employment Counsel in London employer: Airwallex
Airwallex is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, empowering employees to make a real impact in the global financial landscape. With a commitment to professional growth, our London office offers unique opportunities for collaboration across time zones, allowing you to tackle complex legal challenges alongside some of the brightest minds in tech. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team where your expertise in UK employment law will be valued and where you can thrive in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior UK & EMEA Employment Counsel in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in employment law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even referrals that could give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Airwallex and its culture. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. This will help you stand out as someone who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to UK employment law. Be ready to discuss specific cases or scenarios where you've made a significant impact, showcasing your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Airwallex.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior UK & EMEA Employment Counsel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Employment Counsel. Highlight your UK employment law expertise and any relevant experience in both in-house and law firm settings. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about joining Airwallex and how your skills can contribute to our global team. Keep it concise but impactful – we love clear communication!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to highlight specific examples where you've tackled complex legal issues or led sensitive employee relations matters. We’re looking for someone who can think critically and act decisively, so let us see that in your writing!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our innovative team at Airwallex!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airwallex
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law and any relevant EMEA regulations. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or scenarios where you've applied your knowledge, as this will show your expertise and confidence in the subject matter.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Airwallex values collaboration, so be ready to share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams. Highlight instances where you've partnered with HR or business leaders to tackle complex employment issues, demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively across different time zones.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that require you to think on your feet. Prepare for hypothetical situations related to employee relations or workplace investigations, and outline your thought process and decision-making criteria. This will showcase your sharp thinking and good judgment.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
In a fast-scaling environment like Airwallex, adaptability is key. Share experiences where you've navigated ambiguity or led initiatives in a rapidly changing landscape. This will illustrate your ability to thrive in a dynamic setting and align with their mission of building the future of global banking.
