Senior Legal Counsel, Employment Litigation - Windsor in Wembley

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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.

Location: 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.

What will you do?

• 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.
• Actively participate in any LRECS trials of AI tools.
• 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.

Here's who we're looking for:

• A Qualified solicitor with a UK or equivalent practicing certificate with significant relevant PQE experience.
• 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.
• A strong team-player with the ability to manage a small team and be effective working autonomously and at pace, with competing deadlines.
• Confident and effective stakeholder management and ability to work effectively with the other Employment lawyers, the Employee Relations team and business leaders as well as nervous witnesses.
• Excellent presentation skills with the willingness to deliver occasional training.