Senior Associate - Employment Law in Leeds

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our Employment Practice as a Senior Associate based in our Leeds office.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing a substantial and varied caseload of employment matters, including undertaking advocacy where necessary and appropriate. As a senior member of the Employment team, the role will also involve taking an active lead in team development and mentoring, driving business development initiatives, and handling complex fee‑earning matters on behalf of a diverse client base. Reporting directly to the Head of Employment, the Senior Associate will play a key role in supporting the strategic direction of the team, contributing to performance management, and ensuring departmental objectives and financial targets are achieved. This position offers an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and commercially minded employment lawyer to further develop their career within a dynamic and growing practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a varied caseload of complex matters.
• Provide employment law advice to education and commercial clients.
• Draft advice reports, support clients with processes and other documentation such as settlement agreements.
• Assist clients with HR processes and procedures.
• Handle cases through tribunal proceedings.
• Provide support on employment issues arising in transactions.
• Provide ongoing technical support on matters for more junior fee‑earners.
• Ensure personal Employment knowledge is kept up to date and new advancements are communicated to the wider team.

Assisting Management

• Attend monthly fee‑earner meetings with the wider Employment team, contributing where required as a senior member of the team.
• Attend regular one‑to‑one meetings with the Head of Employment – report on departmental priorities and financial performance as necessary.
• Provide supervision of matters for more junior fee‑earners, sign off work as and when required.
• Ensure appropriate allocation of fee‑earning matters within the team – regularly assess capacity of fee‑earners and delegate work effectively where required by the Head of Employment.
• Work alongside the Head of Employment to proactively drive performance of the team – conduct meetings with more junior fee‑earners where necessary.

Business Development

• Take an active lead in managing the client experience; attend client meetings where necessary.
• Assist the Head of Employment to ensure the renewal process for existing clients is seamless and proactive in its approach.
• Prepare and conduct external training sessions on employment law for prospective & existing clients.
• Report regularly on business development figures to senior management.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Have experience of dealing with contentious and non‑contentious employment law matters.
• Possess good knowledge and experience of tribunal procedures and protocols.
• Have a high level of knowledge and understanding of employment law for high‑profile clients.
• Possess exceptional client care skills.
• Be highly motivated and able to add value to the role.
• Be able to demonstrate proactive management of matters.
• Possess networking and client development skills.

Disclosure will be required in the event that a position is offered.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Bonus potential
• Life insurance
• Great working environment at our Derby head offices
• Career development opportunities
• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Options to buy & sell 1 week’s holiday
• 1 week’s holiday carry over
• Extra day off for your birthday
• Staff card discount scheme for local shops
• Social days and evenings on the firm
• Monthly food on the firm for all staff
• Staff discounts on legal services