Employment lawyer in Slough

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: Senior Employment Lawyer

Set up: Hybrid

Contract: Permanent

Why we need this role

We have a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious and talented employment lawyer to join our corporate law team, reporting to the Employment Law Lead who has responsibility for employment law globally. This role is a key contact point for the wider global HR function and will support the business on a range of employment law matters, including providing advice on complex, cross-functional, and multi-jurisdictional transformation projects supporting Colt's business and HR priorities; manage legal and employee relations risk for the business; and support delivery against our strategic people priorities. We are interested in candidates who are available on a full-time basis. Ideally you will have in-house as well as private practice experience.

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 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 employment-related agreements, including contracts of employment, settlement agreements and supporting general commercial outsourcing and supplier contracts and corporate matters / transactional work.
• Advising on complex HR cases including internal investigations, sickness absence, redundancy and disciplinary/grievance matters.
• Managing Acas pre-claim conciliation and employment litigation with the support of external counsel.
• Reviewing and advising on HR processes and policies, working closely with our local HR teams.
• Partnering with members of our broader Legal team and other functional stakeholders as appropriate such as Reward, Tax, Procurement, Finance and Audit and our Data Protection Office.
• Proactively monitoring upcoming changes in employment legislation, regulations, guidelines and industry best practice affecting Colt and ensuring they are tracked, analysed, evaluated and implemented timely, as required.
• Provide support and advice on Colt's engagement with European and national work councils, and other employee representative bodies.
• Providing regular training and updates for HR stakeholders on employment law compliance.

What we're looking for

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with 5-7 years of post-qualification experience (PQE).
• Experience of providing contentious and non-contentious employment legal advice to multi-national employer organisations, used to dealing directly with senior decision-makers.
• Experience supporting organizational design initiatives and restructures.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Exposure to employment law internationally.
• 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 confident in presenting to and advising key stakeholders.
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet deadlines and manage time efficiently.

It would be desirable:

• Experienced in engaging with (and advising on) works council or union negotiations in Europe.
• Working knowledge of additional European languages.
• Experience of advising on employment law aspects of post-acquisition integration and harmonisation of terms and conditions.
• Experience of the telecoms/technology sector.
• Experience with advising on social plan or similar negotiations in multiple jurisdictions.

What we offer you:

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.

Benefits

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.

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