Senior Employment Lawyer in London

Colt provides network, voice and data centre services to thousands of businesses around the world, allowing them to focus on delivering their business goals instead of the underlying infrastructure.

Function: General Counsel

Reports to: VP Corporate Law & Deputy General Counsel

Set up: Hybrid / Remote

Why we need this role

We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and talented employment lawyer to join our growing corporate law team. This position will serve as a key point of contact for our global HR function and provide expert support on a wide range of employment law matters. Responsibilities include advising on complex, cross‑functional, and multi‑jurisdictional transformation projects aligned with Colt’s business and HR priorities; managing legal and employee relations risks; and contributing to the delivery of our strategic people objectives.

What you will do

• Engaging with senior stakeholders including at the C‑Suite level on employment law matters.
• Providing critical support and leading the employment law advice required on strategic projects both on a national and/or global level.
• Managing and advising on a wide range of strategic employment law risks and issues including redundancy, performance, sickness absence, TUPE and compensation and benefits.
• Drafting, advising on and negotiating, as required, a variety of agreements, including contracts of employment, settlement agreements and supporting general commercial outsourcing and supplier contracts involving employment matters.
• Advising on complex and routine legal cases involving employment matters including compliance, internal investigations and disciplinary/grievance matters.
• Managing employment litigation with the support of external counsel.
• Reviewing and advising on HR processes and policies, working closely with our local HR teams and Global ER and HR Policy Director.
• Partnering with members of our Legal team and other functional stakeholders as appropriate such as Rewards, Tax, Procurement, Finance and Audit.
• Monitoring changes in employment legislation, regulations, guidelines and practices affecting Colt and ensuring they are analysed, evaluated and implemented as required.
• Support and adhering on engagement with European and national work councils.
• Engaging with our external legal advisors as required.
• Providing guidance and training for HR team members on employment law matters.
• Employment law experience on post‑acquisition integration would be a plus.

What we look for

• Strong academic background with legal knowledge and excellent drafting skills; ideally 15+ years of post‑qualification experience (PQE).
• Proven experience in negotiating German Works Agreements.
• Legal qualification in the UK / qualified solicitor with exposure to international employment law, with a strong focus on Germany.
• In‑depth knowledge of German labor law, particularly regarding works council rights and the ability to determine the optimal timing for transitioning from internal negotiations to judicial proceedings (conciliation board vs. arbitration).
• Experience supporting organizational design initiatives, including drafting and negotiating balance of interest agreements related to organizational changes.
• Full proficiency in German (written and spoken).
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong commercial acumen with a solution‑oriented approach.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and handle a varied workload effectively.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, capable of delivering difficult messages positively and working collaboratively.
• Clear and concise communication skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet deadlines and manage time efficiently.

It would be desirable:

• Highly desirable: experience advising on social plan negotiations in Germany and France.
• Experience in re‑negotiating Works Agreements.
• Working knowledge of additional European languages.
• Exposure to employment law internationally beyond Germany and the UK.
• Experience with advising on social plan negotiations in multiple jurisdictions.

Skills

• Building and Managing Teams
• Supervisory Leadership
• Relationship Management
• Contract Law

Education

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in the law or a relevant field.

What we offer you:

Looking to make a mark? At Colt, you’ll make a difference. Because around here, we empower people. We don’t tell you what to do. Instead, we employ people we trust, who come together across the globe to create intelligent solutions. Our global teams are full of ambitious, driven people, all working together towards one shared purpose: to put the power of the digital universe in the hands of our customers wherever, whenever and however they want. We give our people the opportunity to inspire and lead teams, and work on projects that connect people, cities, businesses, and ideas. We want you to help us change the world, for the better.

Diversity and inclusion

Inclusion and valuing diversity of thought and experience are at the heart of our culture here at Colt. From day one, you’ll be encouraged to be yourself because we believe that’s what helps our people to thrive. We welcome people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, neurodiversity, age, marital status, pregnancy status, or place of birth.

Most recently we have signed the UN Women Empowerment Principles which guide our Gender Action Plan and trained 60 (and growing) Colties to be Mental Health First Aiders. Please speak with a member of our recruitment team if you require adjustments to our recruitment process to support you. For more information about our Inclusion and Diversity agenda, visit our DEI pages.

Our benefits support you through all parts of life, for both physical and mental health.

• Flexible working hours and the option to work from home.
• Extensive induction program with experienced mentors and buddies.
• Opportunities for further development and educational opportunities.
• Global Family Leave Policy.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Internal inclusion & diversity employee networks.

A global network

When you join Colt you become part of our global network. We are proud of our colleagues and the stories and experience they bring – take a look at ‘Our People’ site including our Empowered Women in Tech.