At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employment law matters and manage disputes in a dynamic fashion retail environment.
- Company: Join a well-known fashion retailer with a fun and collaborative legal team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company benefits, and flexible office working in London.
- Why this job: Make a real impact as the sole employment specialist in a vibrant team.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 5+ years PQE and strong employment law expertise.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to work closely with senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 126000 £ per year.
If you’re a bright, engaging and solutions focused employment counsel with commercial acumen and ability to build lasting relationships with stakeholders at all levels, this role could be for you! We are working with a well-known fashion retailer seeking an employment specialist to join the legal team on an initial 9 month FTC, with the possibility of extensions. They are a fun, dynamic and collaborative team/business and you will be the sole employment specialist in a team of commercial lawyers. Therefore, you’ll have the opportunity to advise at all levels and lead the way with all matters relating to people and employment law.
This is an exciting role in a fun, fast-paced business. You will report directly to our General Counsel & Company Secretary as part of a small legal team of 8 based in London and Weymouth. You’ll primarily advise and support all areas of the People and HR Team with their work across stores, distribution and support centres, as well as advising the board of directors and other areas of the business, such as procurement and customer services.
Accountabilities & Responsibilities- Litigation: managing all employment disputes from the point of contact from ACAS conciliators. These typically include claims of discrimination, unfair and constructive unfair dismissal, and unlawful deductions from wages. Ideally, representing the company in the Employment Tribunal at preliminary hearings, judicial mediations and if appropriate, at full hearing.
- Advisory: Providing ad hoc advice to the business on a range of matters such as discrimination complaints, maternity rights, grievances, sickness absence management, redundancy and re-structuring, health and safety, TUPE, bonus arrangements, holiday entitlement, retirement, performance management, disciplinaries and dismissal, varying terms of employment, grievances, continuous service and employment status or corporate projects as may arise from time to time.
- Drafting: Advising on the terms of contracts of employment at all levels, supporting with maintaining staff handbooks and policies, drafting consultancy agreements, appointments of non-executive directors, settlement and secondment agreements.
- Stakeholder management: Managing upwards, keeping the General Counsel & Company Secretary and other Commercial Solicitors in the team informed about important issues and able to present clearly and precisely, enabling others to understand the key facts and issues.
- Legal developments & Regulations: Staying up to date with legal developments and key business information and is aware of the marketplace and the company’s position within it.
- Relationship development: Cultivating and maintaining a relationship with internal stakeholders and external counsel.
- Training: Identifying and providing training to the business on relevant legal issues.
- Projects: Coordinating projects, liaising with and managing external law firms to obtain advice (UK and overseas).
- Qualified Solicitor
- 5+ year PQE (we will consider applications at other PQE levels)
- Experience gained within a highly regarded Employment department either in house or as part of a leading National/International Firm providing you have experience of working in house either on secondment or as part of your employment
- Excellent IT skills.
- In-house experience (including secondment) and/or experience advising retail/consumer clients.
- Excellent technical skills across the full remit of employment law matters.
- Excellent drafting, negotiating and communication skills
- Personable and confident, able to build relationships with partners/key stakeholders quickly
- Resilient and calm under pressure. Adaptable and flexible approach.
- Ability to take responsibility and act autonomously with minimal supervision
- Excellent organisational skills – ability to plan, organise and prioritise tasks and projects.
- Ability to work under pressure, to prioritise tasks and manage deadlines.
- Innovative, proactive and able to respond creatively and effectively in offering solutions whilst managing expectations.
- Commercial awareness and ability to produce innovative and cost-effective legal solutions.
- A high degree of professionalism and willingness to constructively challenge the status quo.
- A true trusted business partner.
Duration: 9 month Fixed Term Contract
Start date: Feb/March 2026
Salary: DOE – Approximately £90,000 per annum with company benefits
Office working: London 1-2 days a week
Senior Counsel (Employment) - 9 month FTC - Taylor Root in London employer: Jobster
Contact Detail:
Jobster Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Counsel (Employment) - 9 month FTC - Taylor Root in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in employment law. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and recent legal developments in employment law. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're not just another candidate but someone who truly understands their business.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills and experience make you the perfect fit for the role. Highlight your ability to build relationships and provide innovative legal solutions, as these are key for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Counsel (Employment) - 9 month FTC - Taylor Root in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your employment law expertise and any relevant in-house experience, as this will show us you’re the right fit for our dynamic team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your personality and explain why you’re excited about this role. We love seeing candidates who can connect their experience with our fun and collaborative culture.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills: Since this role involves advising various teams, make sure to highlight your ability to build relationships with stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully managed upwards or collaborated with different departments in the past.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobster
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in employment law, especially those relevant to the retail sector. Be prepared to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact the company, showing your commercial awareness and ability to provide innovative legal solutions.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Since this role involves advising various teams and managing relationships, think of examples where you've successfully built rapport with stakeholders. Prepare to share how you’ve communicated complex legal issues clearly and effectively to non-legal colleagues.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve navigated challenging employment disputes or provided creative solutions to HR issues. Highlight your proactive approach and how you’ve managed expectations while delivering results.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Expect situational questions that test your ability to handle real-life employment law challenges. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these scenarios, as it will showcase your ability to act autonomously and responsibly.