Senior Associate – Employment Law in Manchester

Senior Associate – Employment Law in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Advocate in Employment Tribunal proceedings and manage complex employment disputes.
  • Company: Join a prestigious global insurer and legal business with a strong reputation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, exceptional benefits, and hybrid working flexibility.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent leadership and development programmes.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in employment law while enjoying work-life balance and career progression.
  • Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with strong employment law and tribunal advocacy experience.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

Join a highly regarded specialist employment team where advocacy is genuinely at the heart of the role. We're partnering with a prestigious global insurer and legal business to recruit an experienced Employment Solicitor Advocate into their growing Manchester team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys tribunal advocacy, complex contentious work and building trusted client relationships, while still benefiting from genuine work-life balance and long-term progression.

The role is a senior, advocacy-focused position where you'll take ownership of Employment Tribunal matters from initial strategy through to final hearing. You'll work with a varied client base including SMEs, professional services, retail and care‐sector organisations, advising on both contentious and non-contentious employment matters. You'll join a collaborative and highly respected team with strong national presence, handling high-quality work without the pressure of heavy business development targets.

Key responsibilities:
  • Act as advocate in Employment Tribunal proceedings including preliminary, merits and remedy hearings
  • Conduct cross‐examinations, witness handling and oral submissions
  • Draft pleadings, skeleton arguments, opinions and case strategies
  • Advise clients on litigation risk, prospects and settlement strategy
  • Manage complex employment disputes from start to finish
  • Advise on a broad range of employment matters, including unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing, TUPE, redundancy and restructuring processes, disciplinary, grievance and appeal matters
  • Deliver client training sessions and legal updates
  • Build strong relationships with HR teams, business leaders and internal stakeholders
What we're looking for:
  • Qualified solicitor with strong employment law experience
  • Proven Employment Tribunal advocacy experience
  • Ability to independently manage a contentious caseload
  • Strong drafting, negotiation and analytical skills
  • Commercial, pragmatic approach to client advice
  • Excellent communication and relationship management skills
Desirable experience:
  • Employer-side advisory experience
  • Exposure to complex or high-value litigation
  • Interest in client training and business development activities
What's on offer:
  • Competitive salary dependent on experience
  • Annual bonus and exceptional benefits package
  • Excellent pension contributions
  • Private medical and dental cover
  • Hybrid working with genuine flexibility
  • High-quality work and strong career progression opportunities
  • Supportive, collaborative culture with strong leadership and development programmes

This is a fantastic opportunity for an employment lawyer who enjoys advocacy and wants to join a forward-thinking legal business with an excellent reputation in the market.

Senior Associate – Employment Law in Manchester employer: Avencia

Join a prestigious global insurer and legal business in Manchester, where you will thrive in a supportive and collaborative culture that prioritises work-life balance and employee development. With a focus on high-quality advocacy work and a commitment to your professional growth, this role offers competitive compensation, exceptional benefits, and the opportunity to build meaningful client relationships in a dynamic environment.

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Contact Details:

Avencia Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Associate – Employment Law in Manchester

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend legal events, seminars, and workshops to meet potential employers and fellow advocates. Building relationships in the industry can open doors that a CV just can't.

Tip Number 2

Show off your advocacy skills! Consider volunteering for mock tribunal hearings or local legal clinics. This not only sharpens your skills but also gives you real-world experience to talk about in interviews.

Tip Number 3

Tailor your approach! When you get an interview, research the firm and its clients. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in employment law and tribunal advocacy.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to show your interest in joining our collaborative team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate – Employment Law in Manchester

Employment Tribunal Advocacy
Cross-Examination
Witness Handling
Oral Submissions
Drafting Pleadings
Skeleton Arguments
Case Strategy Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Senior Associate role. Highlight your tribunal advocacy experience and any relevant employment law cases you've handled to show us you're the right fit.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about employment law and advocacy. Share examples of how you've built strong client relationships and managed complex disputes, so we can see your personality and expertise.

Showcase Your Communication Skills:As an advocate, communication is key. In your application, demonstrate your ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly and effectively. This could be through your writing style or by including examples of successful client interactions.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Avencia

Know Your Advocacy Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your tribunal advocacy skills. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in Employment Tribunal proceedings, including specific cases where you successfully managed cross-examinations or oral submissions. This will show your depth of knowledge and confidence in handling complex contentious work.

Demonstrate Client Relationship Skills

Since building trusted client relationships is key, think of examples where you've effectively communicated with clients or HR teams. Prepare to share how you’ve advised clients on litigation risks and settlement strategies, showcasing your ability to manage expectations and foster strong partnerships.

Showcase Your Drafting Skills

Be ready to discuss your drafting experience, particularly with pleadings and case strategies. You might even want to bring a sample of your work (if confidentiality allows) to demonstrate your analytical skills and attention to detail. This will highlight your capability to handle the documentation side of employment law.

Engage with Their Culture

Research the company’s culture and values, especially their focus on work-life balance and collaboration. During the interview, express how these align with your own professional ethos. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for the team.