At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert employment law advice and support compliance across the Group.
- Company: Join Greencore, a leading UK convenience food creator with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, and exclusive employee discounts.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while shaping employment practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with strong employment law experience.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Why Greencore?
Following the combination with Bakkavor in January 2026, we're one of the UK's leading creators of convenience food, driven by a simple purpose: to make every day taste better.
As a vibrant and fast-moving business, we're proud to employ over 28,000 talented colleagues across 36 manufacturing sites and 21 distribution depots in the UK and the US.
Together, we bring delicious food to life.
Our products cover every meal occasion from breakfast through to dinner and dessert, with lunch and snacking in between.
In FY25, our shared passion helped us achieve combined revenues of approximately £4bn.
Role Purpose
To provide high quality, pragmatic and commercially focused employment law advice to the Group, working with the Deputy General Counsel and the Legal team, the HR team and wider business stakeholders to manage employment legal risk, support compliance with applicable employment legislation and enable effective people-related decision making across the Group.
Key Accountabilities
- Provide timely, practical and legally robust advice on employment law matters, including disciplinary, grievance, absence, performance management, investigations, restructures, redundancy, TUPE, discrimination, whistleblowing and wider employee relations issues.
- Support the management of employment litigation, tribunal claims, ACAS or equivalent processes, settlement negotiations and pre-action correspondence, including drafting contentious documentation (e. g. tribunal responses, without-prejudice correspondence and settlement agreements arising from disputes) and where required/appropriate, instructing and managing external counsel.
- Draft, review and maintain non-contentious employment-related documentation, including contracts of employment, policies, procedures, settlement agreements, template letters and guidance materials.
- Partner with HR and business teams on organisational change, acquisitions, disposals, integrations and transformation projects, identifying employment law risks and recommending mitigation actions.
- Support the HR team with the Group's trade union relations and collective consultation obligations, including collective redundancy consultation, TUPE information and consultation duties, and engagement with recognised trade unions or employee representative bodies
- Monitor employment law developments - including implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025 and other applicable legislation - and support the business in understanding and implementing relevant legal changes across applicable jurisdictions.
- Design and deliver employment law training and guidance to HR, managers and business stakeholders to improve capability and reduce legal risk.
- Maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external advisers, and provide the Deputy General Counsel with clear, consolidated reporting on material employment matters, trends, risks and external legal spend
Knowledge, Skills, Experience
- Qualified solicitor or barrister with experience practising employment law in the UK, Ireland or another common law jurisdiction.
- Membership of a relevant law society, bar council or equivalent professional body.
- Strong technical knowledge of employment law, employee relations, employment litigation, settlement agreements, organisational change and workplace investigations.
- Experience operating in-house or advising complex, multi-site businesses is desirable.
- Ability to provide pragmatic, commercially balanced advice in a fast-paced operational environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal issues clearly to non-legal stakeholders. and draft documentation for contentious and non-contentious employment related matters
- Strong stakeholder relationship management skills, including the ability to influence, challenge constructively and build trust with the HR team and senior business leaders.
- Experience managing external legal advisers and legal spend effectively.
- Ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively within the legal function and across the wider business.
- What You'll Get in Return
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Generous holiday allowance
- Matched pension contributions
- Life insurance up to 4x
- Sharesave Scheme
- Greencore qualifications and learning opportunities
- Exclusive employee discount platform
- Access to a comprehensive Wellbeing Centre
- Enhanced parental leave policies
- Enhanced menopause support policies
Employment Counsel in Leeds employer: Greencore Careers
Greencore is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where over 540 colleagues collaborate to create delicious convenience food for leading UK retailers. With a strong focus on employee growth and a vibrant culture, we provide opportunities for advancement while ensuring our team enjoys benefits like a restaurant with hot meals on-site. Join us in Spalding, where your contributions will help make every day taste better.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Counsel in Leeds
✨Get Involved in Law Societies
Join local law societies and attend their events – they're often a goldmine for networking and job opportunities in the legal field. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other budding lawyers and experienced solicitors who could provide vital insights and connections.
✨Tap into Online Legal Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online platforms like LinkedIn and specific legal forums. Get active in discussions or share your thoughts on recent legal developments – this not only builds your visibility but also showcases your passion and knowledge in law.
✨Attend Career Fairs and Workshops
Look out for career fairs and workshops specifically focused on law. Many law firms, including Greencore Careers, will be scouting for fresh talent, so bring your A-game and don’t shy away from making a memorable impression.
✨Leverage Your University’s Career Services
If you’re still in university or have recently graduated, latch onto your career services! They often have connections with law firms looking for graduates and can guide you through the application process tailored for the legal sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Counsel in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Legal Knowledge:When applying for a full-time role in legal services at Greencore Careers, make sure to demonstrate your understanding of key legal principles and areas of law relevant to the position. Include any specific coursework, modules, or certifications, like LPC or BPTC qualifications, that showcase your legal expertise directly on your CV.
Showcase Your Research Skills:In the legal field, strong research skills are crucial. Use your application to illustrate how you've utilised these skills in past studies or work experiences – whether that's through past internships or significant projects. Mention any legal databases or tools you’re proficient in, as this can give you an edge.
Tailor That Cover Letter!:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make it personal by expressing your genuine interest in Greencore Careers and the specific role of Employment Counsel. Talk about why you want to be part of their team, how your unique experiences align with their values, and why you’re passionate about the legal sector.
Stay Formal but Friendly:While we all know the legal world can be pretty formal, don’t be afraid to let a bit of personality shine through in your written application. Use a respectful tone, but feel free to inject a little warmth; this approach can help you stand out and show you're a great fit for Greencore Careers’s culture!
How to prepare for a job interview at Greencore Careers
✨Know Your Legal Principles
Brush up on foundational legal principles relevant to the specific area of law you’re applying for, whether it’s corporate, criminal, or family law. We might get asked situational questions to test your knowledge, so being articulate about key concepts will make you stand out.
✨Be Ready for Case Studies
Full-time legal roles often involve case studies during interviews. Prepare to analyse a hypothetical case and discuss your approach to it. Practising this with a peer or mentor can help us refine our reasoning and articulate a solid legal argument.
✨Show Off Your Research Skills
As legal professionals, strong research skills are a must. Have examples ready of how you've effectively used legal databases or conducted thorough legal research in your past experiences. It's a great way to demonstrate your readiness for the role at Greencore Careers.
✨Exude Professionalism and Confidence
In the legal field, professionalism is key. During the interview, we should maintain good eye contact and communicate clearly to show that we’re not just knowledgeable, but also confident. This can make a positive impression on your potential colleagues at Greencore Careers.
