At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on employment law and support the People team.
- Company: Join Aztec, a dynamic company focused on operational excellence and client partnerships.
- Benefits: Training opportunities, career progression, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; join a team that values collaboration and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced legal environment with diverse responsibilities.
- Qualifications: Qualified lawyer with at least 6 years of experience in employment law.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
At Aztec, we provide talented and dynamic individuals with the opportunity to build a rewarding career. We’re an ambitious company, committed to building long‑term partnerships with our clients and delivering operational excellence at every stage of their fund’s lifecycle. Our culture is what makes us a standout place to work. Our people are at the heart of our business: putting clients first; delivering service excellence; working as one team; building lasting connections and embodying our values and purpose. Join our journey and discover what makes us the bright alternative.
About the role:
Reporting to the Group Head of Legal, we are looking for an experienced, skilled and highly motivated employment law expert to support our rapidly growing and evolving businesses. The role is varied and will cover the full range of employment work, supporting the Group Head of Legal and acting as lead employment lawyer to the People team and wider business as required. You should be comfortable working in a fast‑paced environment with broad responsibilities, delivering specialist legal advice and support in employment law across all our jurisdictions.
The role requires a skilled professional who has a high degree of legal expertise in employment law, can balance commercial awareness with independence, helps the organisation achieve its objectives within the legal framework, identifies and manages risks, and maintains ethical standards. The candidate is comfortable working on domestic and international employment matters and supporting the business in other areas of law, such as client and supplier contracts. They will work independently and as part of various teams, taking an active leadership role in projects in addition to day‑to‑day duties. This role can be full‑time or part‑time.
Key responsibilities:
- Act as a trusted advisor, providing expert legal advice to the People function and leadership teams on complex employment law matters across the Group, including contracts, policies, disciplinary actions, grievances, redundancies, restructures and disputes.
- Serve as a key point of contact for the People team, providing deep technical knowledge on the legal aspects of employee relations issues and ensuring compliance with evolving employment legislation and workplace regulations in each jurisdiction.
- Lead the handling of employment tribunal claims, negotiate settlements, and liaise with external counsel when necessary.
- Draft and review employment contracts, handbooks and workplace policies, identifying opportunities for improvement and anticipating future business needs.
- Identify potential legal risks in workforce decisions and propose mitigation strategies.
- Build deep and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Support the Reward team in managing Aztec’s employee equity plan.
- Provide legal advice in additional areas such as supplier and client contract negotiations.
Skills, knowledge and expertise:
- The successful candidate will be a lawyer, qualified in the UK or another common‑law jurisdiction, with prior experience in a top‑tier law firm or in‑house legal department and a strong focus on employment law.
- Demonstrable post‑qualification experience (anticipated to be a minimum of 6 years of PQE) in employment law as the core skill set.
- Strong attention to detail and effectiveness managing complex projects and teams to demanding deadlines.
- Proactive, flexible mindset with ability to deliver effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
- Ability to identify, focus and prioritise on key issues and adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
- Strong drafting skills.
- Good people skills to build strong and trusted relationships.
Desirable but not pre‑requisite:
- In‑house experience of providing legal advice.
- International employment advisory experience.
We offer:
Aztec will provide training, both in‑house for relevant technical knowledge and professional qualifications to enhance your professional development. You will need to be quick to learn new systems and be great with people, as close working relationships between our colleagues and clients is at the heart of what we do. With an ambitious vision for further growth, we’re always on the lookout for bright individuals to join our journey. Progress your career with a company that will support you every step of the way.
Legal Counsel - Employment in Southampton employer: Aztec Services (Jersey) Limited
At Aztec, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant work culture that prioritises collaboration and client satisfaction. As a Legal Counsel in Employment, you will benefit from comprehensive training and professional development opportunities, ensuring your growth within a dynamic and ambitious environment. Join us in our beautiful location, where your expertise will be valued, and you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive team atmosphere.
Contact Details:
Aztec Services (Jersey) Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Employment in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the legal field, especially those who work in employment law. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Aztec’s culture and values. They’re all about building long-term partnerships and delivering excellence, so think about how your skills align with that. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve put clients first or worked as part of a team in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in handling complex employment law matters. Talk about specific cases where you identified risks and proposed solutions, as this will demonstrate your proactive mindset and commercial awareness.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Aztec and being part of their journey. So, get your CV polished and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Employment in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Legal Counsel position. Highlight your experience in employment law and how it aligns with what Aztec is looking for. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on showcasing your legal expertise! Include specific examples of your past work in employment law, especially any complex cases you've handled. This will help us see your depth of knowledge and how you can contribute to our ambitious goals.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point, making it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our journey at Aztec!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aztec Services (Jersey) Limited
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in employment law, especially those relevant to the jurisdictions Aztec operates in. Be prepared to discuss specific cases or legislation that could impact the business and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role involves building relationships with the People team and other stakeholders, think of examples where you've successfully navigated complex interpersonal situations. Highlight your ability to communicate legal concepts clearly and effectively to non-legal colleagues.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific employment law scenarios, such as disciplinary actions or redundancies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and show how your approach aligns with Aztec's values.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness
Be ready to discuss how legal advice can support business objectives. Think about how you can balance legal compliance with commercial needs, and prepare to share examples of how you've done this in previous roles.
