About The Role
Due to continued growth, our Education & Charities Team is looking to recruit an Employment Associate to support and further develop our highly regarded education sector practice.
Employment law in education is fast‑moving, complex and people‑focused. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with independent schools, academies, maintained schools, higher and further education colleges and universities, advising on the full range of employment and HR issues.
You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Education & Charities Team, becoming a trusted adviser to clients by truly understanding how their organisations operate, their approach to risk, and the practical realities of running an educational establishment.
The work
You will advise on a broad range of employment matters for education clients, including:
- Day‑to‑day employment and HR advisory work
- Complex staffing issues, disciplinary and grievance matters
- Safeguarding‑related employment issues
- Senior appointments, exits and restructures
- Employment aspects of academy conversions, mergers and governance changes
- Drafting and reviewing contracts, policies and staff handbooks
- Providing pragmatic, commercial, and solutions‑focused advice
You will work closely with governors, heads, bursars, COOs and senior leadership teams, acting as an extension of your client’s in‑house teams.
Our education clients value clarity, confidence and practical guidance and this role is ideal for someone who enjoys building long‑term client relationships and advising in a sector with real social impact.
Why join our Education Team?
- High‑quality, varied work with nationally recognised education clients
- A genuinely collaborative and supportive Employment team
- Clear opportunities for progression and specialism
- The chance to build a strong personal profile within the education sector
- A people‑focused culture that values approachability as much as technical excellence
About You
If you have the following experience and attributes, you will be a strong fit for this role.
- 3+ years’ PQE in employment law
- Experience advising education clients or a strong interest in developing a specialism in the education sector
- The ability to manage client relationships with confidence and empathy
- Strong technical ability and excellent drafting skills
- A pragmatic, solutions‑driven approach
- Commercial awareness and an interest in business development
- A collaborative mindset and a genuine enjoyment of working as part of a team
- An interest or experience in higher education employment work is beneficial but not essential; enthusiasm for the sector and a commitment to delivering clear, dependable advice is paramount
Benefits of working with us
- Income Protection
- Private Medical Insurance
- Sight tests / Glasses discounts
- Bonus scheme
- Electric vehicle scheme
- Scottish Widows Pension Scheme
- 28 days annual leave (plus public holidays)
- Happy People / Perks at Work benefits portal
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Life Assurance
- 1/3 gym membership contribution
- Flu vaccinations
Equal Opportunities
As HCR is an equal opportunities employer, we celebrate differences and work to create a supportive and inclusive workplace that recognises and nurtures talent. We are an armed forces‑friendly organization.
