At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on UK and EMEA employment law, supporting hiring, performance, 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: Be part of a diverse team committed to equal opportunity and innovation.
- 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.
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 2,000 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.
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 General Counsel, Employment 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.
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
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.
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 employer: Airwallex
Airwallex is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, empowering employees to make a real impact in the fast-evolving financial technology landscape. With a strong focus on professional growth, our London office offers unique opportunities for collaboration across global teams, ensuring that you can thrive while tackling complex legal challenges in a supportive environment. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values innovation, diversity, and the ambition to build the future of global banking.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employment Counsel - EMEA
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Airwallex or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. At Airwallex, they value collaboration and innovation, so think of examples from your past that showcase these traits. Show them you’re a perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Employment Counsel. Keep it concise and focus on your unique skills that can help Airwallex tackle complex employment issues.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and ready to contribute to building the future of global banking.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employment Counsel - EMEA
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 let that shine through!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Don’t forget to emphasise your mix of in-house and law firm experience. If you've tackled sensitive employee relations matters or led investigations, make sure to mention those! We value practical experience that aligns with our needs.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Airwallex!
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 concepts clearly and concisely. You might even want to practice explaining a tricky legal issue to someone without a legal background. This will highlight your ability to partner with stakeholders across different time zones.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Airwallex values collaboration, so be prepared to share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Think about times when you’ve partnered with HR or business leaders to resolve employment issues, and be ready to discuss your approach to teamwork.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your judgment and discretion in sensitive employee relations matters. Think through potential situations you might face in this role and how you would handle them. This will show your ability to navigate ambiguity and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
