At a Glance
- 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 36000 - 60000 £ 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
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Plus much more...
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. 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 newsbrand 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 Advisor employer: dmg media
Contact Detail:
dmg media Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Legal Advisor
✨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 asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with TUPE, IR35, and employment law. Bring these along to interviews to demonstrate your knowledge and how you can add value to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience in managing complex employment issues and your understanding of upcoming legislation changes. This will help you feel more confident when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Tailor your approach to reflect your passion for the media sector and how your skills align with our needs.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Legal Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Employment Legal Advisor role. Highlight your experience with TUPE, IR35, and employment law in the media sector to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on detailing your qualifications and experience. We want to see your deep technical knowledge and how it aligns with the responsibilities listed in the job description. Be specific about your past roles!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging: While we love a friendly tone, remember this is a professional application. Strike a balance between being personable and maintaining professionalism to make a great impression on us.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at dmg media
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest employment laws, especially those related to TUPE, IR35, and the upcoming 2026 reforms. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just qualified but also proactive about staying informed.
✨Showcase Your Media Sector Experience
If you've worked in the media sector before, be ready to share specific examples of how you've navigated complex employment issues. This will demonstrate your understanding of the unique challenges faced in this fast-paced environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle real-life situations, like managing high-value Employment Tribunal claims or advising on senior executive exits. Think through your responses and have a few scenarios ready to illustrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Your Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss how you balance legal risks with operational needs. Highlight any past experiences where you've provided pragmatic advice that helped streamline processes or mitigate risks, especially under tight production schedules.