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- Tasks: Provide high-level legal advice on employment matters in a fast-paced media environment.
- Company: Join dmg media, a leading name in UK media with a commitment to impactful storytelling.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days holiday, pension plan, discounts, and access to onsite health services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the media sector while navigating exciting legal challenges.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 10+ years PQE and expertise in TUPE and IR35.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: dmg media Headquarters – London
Position: Permanent/ 3 days in the office
Job Introduction
We are looking for a part time Employment Legal Advisor to provide high-level, commercially focused legal advice on all employment-related matters within a fast-paced media environment. This role involves managing complex talent and production workforce structures, ensuring compliance with evolving UK legislation, and mitigating risks associated with IR35, TUPE, and new 2026 workplace rights.
Main Responsibilities
- Contingent Workforce & IR35 Management: Oversee the Status Determination Statement (SDS) process for the company’s extensive pool of freelancers, presenters, and production crew. Advise on off-payroll working rules and manage HMRC compliance for personal service companies (PSCs) and intermediaries.
- Structural Change & TUPE: Lead on the employment aspects of media acquisitions, outsourcing, and insourcing, including handling complex TUPE transfers and information/consultation obligations. Navigate "two-tier" Code of Practice requirements for staff transferred from the public sector (effective October 2026).
- Regulatory Compliance & 2026 Reforms: Advise on new day-one rights for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and family leave (effective April 2026). Implement "all reasonable steps" protocols to comply with the expanded Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment (effective October 2026). Manage compliance with new zero-hours and "low hours" worker protections, ensuring the right to a guaranteed hours contract where applicable.
- Employee Relations & Litigation: Manage high-value Employment Tribunal claims, noting the extended 2026 limitation period of six months. Advise on senior executive exits and high-profile discrimination matters often unique to the media sector.
- Policy & Contractual Frameworks: Draft and update employment contracts, including post-termination restrictions, and review non-compete clauses in light of 2026 reform consultations. Maintain the staff handbook to reflect changes in flexible working "by default" and new AI-related workplace policies.
Person Specification
- Legal Qualification: Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales with 10+ years PQE
- Specialist Knowledge: Deep technical expertise in TUPE, IR35/off-payroll rules, and the Employment Rights Act 2025.
- Industry Experience: Prior experience in the media sector is highly desirable to understand specific employment and talent engagement models.
- Commercial Acumen: Ability to provide pragmatic advice that balances legal risk with the operational needs of high-pressure production schedules.
- EDI Focus: Strong understanding of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) regulatory expectations for 2026.
Package Description
Our benefits package increases the longer you’ve been with us. Here’s what to expect:
- ~25 days’ holiday (increasing by 1 per year up to a total of 30)
- ~ Pension plan and life cover
- ~ Discounts on online shopping, dining cards and vouchers, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- ~ Onsite gym, subsidised canteen and onsite nurse and GP clinics
About dmg media
dmg media maintains an unwavering commitment to uncovering the stories that matter most. Its brands Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, MailOnline, Mail+, Metro, The i Paper and New Scientist reach more than 9 million people daily in the UK. Globally, dmg media’s brands reach 160 million unique browsers every month across its domains and apps. Its global newsroom of journalists, formidable story-getting power, and breadth of content formats, delivers highly engaging, trusted content to loyal and new audiences, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Mail brand reaches three in five Brits every month and is officially the best-read, most recognised, most engaged news brand in the country. It is the largest news publisher on TikTok with over 21 million total followers and nearly 30 billion views in the past year.
Our Commitment
We are committed to increasing diversity and maintaining an inclusive workplace culture. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. We are Disability Confident Committed. Please let us know if you require any recruitment documentation in other formats or if you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process. Please be assured that any such information will be held separately to your recruitment application and will not be considered as part of the selection process.
Employment Legal Adviser in City of London employer: dmg media
Contact Detail:
dmg media Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Legal Adviser in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal and media sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their approach to employment law and recent changes in legislation. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience with TUPE, IR35, and employee relations makes you the perfect fit for the role. Keep it concise and focused on how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Legal Adviser in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Employment Legal Adviser role. Highlight your experience with TUPE, IR35, and any media sector knowledge you have. We want to see how your skills match our needs!
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on showcasing your legal qualifications and experience. With over 10 years PQE, we’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running. Let us know about your past successes in managing complex employment matters.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your experience and how it relates to the role. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at dmg media
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest UK employment laws, especially around IR35, TUPE, and the upcoming 2026 reforms. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are also ready to tackle complex legal issues in a fast-paced media environment.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Prepare examples of how you've balanced legal risks with operational needs in previous roles. This is crucial for a position that requires pragmatic advice in high-pressure situations. Think about specific scenarios where your legal expertise made a tangible difference to a project or team.
✨Demonstrate Industry Knowledge
Having prior experience in the media sector is a big plus. Research the unique employment and talent engagement models within this industry. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with the specific challenges faced by companies like dmg media.
✨Emphasise Your EDI Understanding
With a strong focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion expected for 2026, be prepared to talk about your understanding of EDI regulations. Share any relevant experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that promote an inclusive workplace culture.