At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on employment law matters and manage litigation for a leading tech company.
- Company: Join Ocado Technology, a pioneer in cloud, robotics, and AI for grocery retail.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic, collaborative environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a strategic role while working with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 3-7 years’ experience in employment law.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About Us
We are Ocado Technology and we empower global grocery retailers with cutting‑edge cloud, robotics and AI. Our Ocado Smart Platform (OSP) powers highly automated Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs), enabling efficient, single‑pick online grocery delivery.
About the Role
As the Legal Counsel – Employment, you will step into a high‑impact, strategic role acting as a key advisor for Ocado Group working closely with the People team and business stakeholders on the full range of employment matters from day to day ER queries to tribunal litigation and strategic projects. We value agility and collaboration, offering a flexible, hybrid working model that balances remote working and working at the Hatfield Head Office. It is a hands‑on in‑house role that calls for sound judgment, commercial pragmatism, and the ability to work at pace.
Partner closely with the People team and other key stakeholders across the UK and internationally to advise on a broad range of employment law matters, including recruitment, contractual issues, reward, diversity, performance, absence, investigations, disciplinary and grievance processes, and terminations. Work with and manage external counsel across multiple jurisdictions to deliver pragmatic, commercially focused advice while ensuring compliance with local laws. Lead on UK employment litigation, working with internal stakeholders to achieve effective outcomes. Advising senior stakeholders across the business on legal risks and providing commercially focused solutions. Advise on and support business change programmes, including restructures, redundancies and TUPE processes. Draft and review employment‑related provisions in commercial agreements. Support employment aspects of corporate transactions, including M&A activity. Develop and deliver practical employment law training to business stakeholders. Draft, review and update employment policies and procedures in line with legal and business developments. Monitor legal and regulatory developments in employment law and support the business in implementing required changes. Provide advice on employee data protection and privacy matters in collaboration with the data privacy team. Contribute to wider Legal team initiatives and cross‑functional projects as required.
Essential skills
- Qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with a specialism in employment law and typically 3–7 years’ PQE (flexible for candidates who can demonstrate the required capability).
- Strong grounding in UK employment law with a good balance of contentious and non‑contentious experience.
- Experience of running and managing UK employment litigation.
- Experience of handling complex employee relation queries.
- Strong academic background.
Preferred (in addition to essential):
- In‑house experience within a fast‑paced, commercial environment.
- Knowledge of UK immigration and right to work requirements (or a willingness to develop this).
What we offer
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 27 after 5 years), plus the option to buy more – and 30 days a year to work from anywhere in the world.
- Private Medical Insurance from your first month, wellbeing support through specialist apps and EAP, plus Income Protection and Life Assurance.
- 22 weeks paid maternity/primary carer leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (after qualifying period).
- Pension with employer matching up to 7%, share schemes (Sharesave & BAYE), and interest‑free loans for train tickets.
- Cycle to Work Scheme and free shuttle buses to/from Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City stations.
- 15% off at Ocado.com with free delivery (starting in your first month).
Ocado Group is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employees are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, or disability or union membership status.
Legal Counsel - Employment in Hatfield employer: Dormont Manufacturing Co
At Ocado Technology, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment that empowers our employees to thrive. With a flexible hybrid working model based in Hatfield, we provide generous benefits including 25 days of annual leave, private medical insurance, and family-first policies, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through opportunities for professional development and involvement in strategic projects, making us an ideal choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the legal field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal Counsel - Employment in Hatfield
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the legal field! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching Ocado Technology and understanding their values and culture. Practice common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with the role of Legal Counsel – Employment. Remember, we want to see your personality shine through!
✨Showcase Your Skills
During interviews, highlight your experience with employment law and any specific cases you've handled. Use real examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and how you’ve provided commercially focused solutions in the past. We love seeing candidates who can think on their feet!
✨Follow Up
After your interview, don’t forget to send a thank-you email! It’s a great way to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision. We’re rooting for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Legal Counsel - Employment in Hatfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Legal Counsel - Employment role. Highlight your experience in employment law and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about employment law and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Agility:In your application, demonstrate your ability to work at pace and adapt to changing situations. We value agility, so share examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dormont Manufacturing Co
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on UK employment law, especially the areas mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with contentious and non-contentious matters, as well as any specific cases you've handled that relate to employee relations.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Pragmatism
During the interview, highlight instances where you've provided commercially focused solutions to legal issues. Ocado Technology values agility and collaboration, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked closely with stakeholders to achieve effective outcomes.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that require you to think on your feet. Prepare for hypothetical scenarios related to employment litigation or complex employee relations queries. Practising your responses will help you demonstrate your sound judgment and ability to work at pace.
✨Demonstrate Your Training Skills
Since the role involves developing and delivering practical employment law training, think of examples where you've trained others or created educational materials. Be ready to explain how you can support the People team in enhancing their understanding of employment law.
