At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on UK employment law and support EMEA operations with legal expertise.
- Company: Join Airwallex, a leading global payments platform valued at US$8 billion.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse team, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on diversity and equal opportunity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced, innovative environment with global reach.
- 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.
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.
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 UK & EMEA Employment Counsel employer: Airwallex
Airwallex is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where innovative thinkers thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and development, team members are empowered to take ownership of their projects while collaborating with talented colleagues across the globe. Located in London, this role offers the unique advantage of being at the heart of a rapidly expanding global financial platform, providing meaningful opportunities to make a real impact in the world of employment law.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior UK & EMEA Employment Counsel
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in employment law. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential colleagues and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Airwallex and understanding their mission. Be ready to discuss how your expertise in UK employment law can help them navigate complex issues across EMEA. Show them you’re not just a fit, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Senior Employment Counsel, you’ll need to distill complex legal matters into clear advice. Try mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your ability to communicate effectively.
✨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 serious about joining the Airwallex team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior UK & EMEA Employment Counsel
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 needs!
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 mission. Keep it concise but impactful – we love clear communication!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention specific examples where you've tackled complex employment issues. We’re looking for someone who can navigate ambiguity and provide actionable guidance, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers page. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on your application status. Let’s get started on building the future together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airwallex
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law, as well as any relevant EMEA regulations. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or scenarios where you've applied your knowledge, showcasing your expertise and ability to navigate complex legal issues.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Airwallex values teamwork, so be ready to share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your experience partnering with HR or business leaders to tackle employment matters, 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 show your pragmatic approach and judgement.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
In a fast-scaling environment like Airwallex, adaptability is key. Share instances where you've successfully navigated ambiguity or led initiatives that required quick thinking and flexibility. This will highlight your readiness to thrive in a dynamic setting.
