Employment Counsel

Coursera was founded in 2012 by Stanford professors Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller to make world‑class learning accessible to everyone, everywhere. Today, over 190 million learners and 375+ university and industry partners use our platform to gain skills in fields like AI, data science, technology, and business. As a Delaware public benefit corporation and Certified B Corp, we’re driven by the belief that learning can transform lives through learning.

At Coursera, we’re looking for inventors, innovators, and lifelong learners ready to shape the future of education. You’ll help build global programs and tools that power online learning for millions turning bold ideas into real impact. People who thrive here are customer‑first builders who move fast, simplify ruthlessly, and iterate relentlessly on the metrics that matter. We’re a globally distributed team and let you choose the best way you work, whether it’s from home, a Coursera hub, or a co‑working space near you. Our virtual hiring and onboarding make it easy to join us and start making an impact from anywhere. If you’re ready to make a global impact, scale unique products exclusive to Coursera, and expand your career horizons, apply below.

Job Overview

Legal and Compliance is responsible for managing all legal and regulatory matters, including contracts, corporate governance, general compliance, academic compliance, employment law matters, intellectual property, product counseling, government relations, and claims. The team includes dedicated teams that support every aspect of Coursera’s platform, including university, enterprise and industry partnerships. This role will sit within the Employment & Litigation sub‑team within Legal and Compliance, reporting to the Director and Associate General Counsel of Employment and Litigation.

As an Employment Counsel, you will collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, external legal advisors, and HR professionals to provide legal advice and manage employment‑related risks. This role involves handling a broad spectrum of employment law matters while ensuring compliance with local laws, regulations, and best practices across multiple jurisdictions in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. We’re looking for someone who is passionate about education and fostering business growth, is highly motivated and detail‑oriented. We seek an individual with a strong background in UK employment law and employment counseling, with experience counseling on international matters across EMEA, who can also adapt and apply their legal knowledge and skills to new situations and issues.

The individual should be able to operate with minimal supervision and be a team player who brings a positive, “can do” attitude to the workplace. This role requires an expert collaborator who can work with other members of the Legal and Compliance team and internal stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial, organized, and comfortable working in an ever‑changing environment while managing several simultaneous projects under deadline pressure. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, impeccable judgment, integrity, and commitment to ethics and equity.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on UK and EMEA employment law matters, including recruitment, contracts, terminations, grievances, disciplinary issues, redundancies, and employment disputes.
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and updating employment contracts, handbooks, and HR policies to ensure compliance with local laws.
• Monitor legislative changes across EMEA jurisdictions and advise on necessary adjustments to internal policies.
• Provide support in handling employment‑related claims, disputes, or litigation in collaboration with external counsel; assist in managing responses to regulatory inquiries or investigations related to employment matters.
• Support employment aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate transactions, ensuring alignment with employment laws in EMEA jurisdictions.
• Assist in delivering training to HR and management teams on employment law topics and compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• UK‑qualified solicitor with 3‑4 years of post‑qualification experience in employment law.
• Proven track record of providing reliable, pragmatic, solutions‑oriented advice to HR and business partners.
• Solid understanding of UK employment law and familiarity with employment regulations across EMEA jurisdictions.
• Experience advising on contracts, terminations, and workplace disputes.
• Excellent legal drafting and analytical skills.

Nice to haves

• Broad‑based experience managing employment law matters in the UK and EMEA, preferably through a combination of in‑house and law firm practice.
• Knowledge of key employment law frameworks in jurisdictions outside the UK within EMEA.
• Fluency in additional languages relevant to the EMEA region is a plus.
• Experience working in a public company or other fast‑paced working environment.

Coursera is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a welcoming and inclusive workplace. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.