Senior Legal Counsel, Employment Litigation in Preston

We're so much more than an energy company. We're a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn't rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities.

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Legal Counsel, Employment Litigation to join our Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Ethics & Compliance, and Secretariat Function (LRECS). LRECS focuses on providing a diverse and inclusive environment with a strong emphasis on wellbeing and delivering opportunities for growth and personal development.

This role is primarily to manage and run Employment Tribunal claims arising from the Centrica Group companies in the UK. It will form part of an existing team of 3 Employment Lawyers who deliver commercially focused, risk-based specialist employment advice to all UK business units and group functions across the Centrica group and will report to the Head of Legal, Employment.

We work flexibly in line with our Flexible First approach, as we believe empowered colleagues are happier and more productive. However, as part of our ambition to build strong collaboration and team connection, we're looking for someone who is willing to spend regular time in the office. This is likely to involve weekly travel to our Windsor office and, from the end of the year, our Reading office - particularly during the early months in the role. Travel to other locations may also be required from time to time.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and co-ordinate the implementation of systems/processes and creation of precedents needed to undertake employment litigation in-house.
• Actively explore and engage with our Tech colleagues in the introduction of AI tools and platforms to support the employment litigation process.
• Be the subject matter expert on Employment Tribunal litigation, maintaining a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules.
• Manage and deliver all aspects of Centrica's response to Employment Tribunal claims, such as drafting pleadings and witness statements, managing disclosure, preparing risk assessments, making appropriate applications, preparing for preliminary hearings, final hearings and Judicial Mediations, negotiating settlement of claims as appropriate, liaising with Centrica's Employee Relations team and managers, instructing and liaising with Counsel for hearings.
• Manage a small team comprising an Employment Litigation Counsel and a paralegal (both to be recruited).
• Build relationships with key stakeholders in the People team and keep them apprised of any themes and trends in the claims arising from their business area.
• Build relationships with our law panel firms who handle the claims we are unable to keep in-house.
• Build and manage relationships with Counsel's Chambers and seek to negotiate advantageous rates.

Qualifications:

• Thorough and up to date knowledge and understanding of the UK Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules and significant experience of running multiple Employment Tribunal claims in the UK, either in private practice or in-house.
• A genuine interest in technology and how it can be used to support the more efficient delivery of key parts of the employment litigation process.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal principles to a variety of internal stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation skills with the willingness to deliver occasional training.

If you're full of energy, fired up about sustainability, and ready to craft not only a better tomorrow, but a better you, then come and find your purpose in a team where your voice matters, your growth is non-negotiable, and your ambitions are our priority.

Help us, help you. We would love for you to share any information about yourself throughout our recruitment process so that we can better understand you and help shape your journey.