Legal Counsel (Employment) 6+PQE

Your new company

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced employment lawyer to join a globally recognised organisation operating across multiple jurisdictions, delivering impactful work on an international scale. With a strong commitment to ethical practice, inclusion, and progressive organisational values, the organisation places legal expertise at the heart of its operations, helping to drive accountability, compliance, and sustainable change. Working within a highly regarded Legal and Governance team, you will collaborate with colleagues across the UK and internationally, supporting a mission-driven organisation that operates in complex and constantly evolving environments. You will be required to attend the Oxford office ideally one day per week, with some flexibility available for the right candidate and/or attend the London office instead.

Your new role

As Employment Legal Counsel, you will play a pivotal role in providing expert legal advice on a broad spectrum of employment law matters across the UK and global operations. This is a dynamic, commercially focused role that combines strategic advisory work with hands-on case management in a complex international setting. Key responsibilities include:

• Advising on employee relations, employment disputes, and litigation across multiple jurisdictions.
• Supporting HR teams in the UK and international programmes on complex employment law issues, including investigations and whistleblowing.
• Managing and tracking litigation cases globally, liaising with external counsel where required.
• Drafting and reviewing HR policies and procedures to ensure compliance with current legislation and best practice.
• Providing practical, risk-based legal advice aligned with organisational values and priorities.
• Delivering training, guidance, and self-service legal tools to empower internal stakeholders.
• Monitoring legal and regulatory developments and advising senior leadership on emerging risks.

This role offers exposure beyond employment law, with opportunities to contribute to a wider range of commercial and organisational legal matters.

What you'll need to succeed

To thrive in this role, you will bring a strong mix of technical expertise, commercial awareness, and the ability to operate effectively in complex, international environments. You will have:

• UK legal qualification with 6+ years' PQE in employment law.
• Proven experience advising on complex employment and HR matters, including investigations and disputes.
• Broad commercial legal experience gained in-house or within private practice.
• Experience supporting stakeholders across different jurisdictions and managing cross-border legal issues.
• Strong drafting skills, particularly around HR policies and procedures.
• The ability to balance detail with strategic thinking and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to influence and build relationships at all levels.

Desirable experience includes multi-jurisdictional employment law exposure, additional legal specialisms (e.g. charity or commercial law), and experience advising on equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, however this is not essential.

What you'll get in return

In return, you will join a collaborative and purpose-driven organisation offering:

• A varied and intellectually stimulating legal role with global impact.
• Exposure to complex, high-profile employment matters.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• The opportunity to influence organisational strategy and contribute to meaningful change.
• A supportive environment that values continuous learning, inclusion, and professional growth.

Apply now

If you are an experienced employment lawyer looking for an in-house role that combines high-quality legal work with real-world impact, we want to hear from you. For further information, please contact Harriet Chapman at Hays Legal. Apply today to take the next step in your legal career and be part of an organisation where your expertise can truly make a difference.