Kraken is seeking an experienced Employment Counsel to serve as the company’s primary legal advisor on employment-related matters. Based in London, this role will support People team, business leaders, and employees across multiple jurisdictions, providing strategic and practical guidance on a broad range of employment issues throughout the employee lifecycle. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor with deep employment law expertise who can navigate complex workplace matters, manage risk, and partner effectively with stakeholders across a fast-paced, global technology organization.
What you'll do:
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Serve as the lead legal advisor on employment law matters across the business, partnering with People team and leadership teams globally.
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Provide practical, risk-based guidance on employee relations, performance management, disciplinary actions, grievances, accommodations, leaves of absence, and terminations.
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Advise on employment law compliance across multiple jurisdictions, working closely with external counsel where appropriate.
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Lead and support workplace investigations involving employee complaints, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other sensitive matters.
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Draft, review, and update employment-related agreements, policies, handbooks, and workplace procedures.
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Advise on workforce planning initiatives, including reorganisations, restructurings, reductions in force, and other organisational changes.
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Support the company’s international growth by providing employment-related guidance on new markets, hiring strategies, and workforce models.
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Manage employment-related disputes, agency inquiries, claims, and litigation in partnership with external counsel.
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Monitor legal and regulatory developments and advise stakeholders on emerging employment law risks and requirements.
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Partner with Legal, Compliance, and leadership teams to develop training and best practices related to workplace conduct and employment compliance.
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Support mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions by providing employment-related due diligence and integration guidance.
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Provide legal support on other employment-related matters and strategic projects as they arise.
What you'll need:
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Qualified solicitor, barrister, or equivalent legal qualification in the UK or another major jurisdiction.
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Significant experience advising on employment law matters at a leading law firm and/or multinational in-house legal department.
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Expertise in UK, EU, US employment law and comfortable working with other major jurisdictions.
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Experience advising People and senior business leaders in a fast-paced, global organization.
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Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex and sensitive workplace issues.
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Experience handling workplace investigations, employment disputes, and litigation management.
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Strong commercial judgment and ability to provide practical, business-oriented advice.
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Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
It would be great if you also had:
- 5+ years of employment law experience at a leading law firm.
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Experience supporting technology, SaaS, or other high-growth companies.
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Experience supporting distributed and multinational workforces.
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Familiarity with employment law issues across Europe, North America, and APAC.
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Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and workforce integrations.
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Experience working in a global public company.
