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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic employment law department, advising clients on various employment matters.
- Company: Join a respected law firm in Chelmsford, Essex, known for its forward-thinking approach.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working options, and a supportive, entrepreneurial environment.
- Why this job: Shape your own practice with autonomy and support while working with loyal clients.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor Cilex with 6+ years’ PQE in employment law and team leadership experience.
- Other info: Perfect for senior solicitors ready to elevate their career in a dynamic setting.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 £ per year.
Are you a senior employment solicitor looking to take the lead? Ready to shape and grow a department with the autonomy to build something exciting? A highly respected and forward-thinking law firm in Chelmsford, Essex is seeking a Senior Employment Solicitor to head up their growing employment law offering. This is a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role with an existing client base, excellent internal support, and real autonomy to make the department your own.
About the Role:
- You will take the lead on a wide range of employment matters, advising both individuals and employers, from day-to-day HR advisory work to complex contentious matters.
- Your work will include:
- Advising employers on disciplinary, grievance, redundancy, TUPE, and employee relations
- Supporting employees with claims related to unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, and workplace disputes
- Drafting and reviewing contracts, policies, and settlement agreements
- Representing clients in Employment Tribunal claims
- Developing and growing a high-performing team, with support from senior leadership
- Playing an active role in business development and the strategic growth of the firm’s employment practice
What We’re Looking For:
- A qualified solicitor Cilex with at least 6+ years’ PQE in employment law
- A strong mix of contentious and non-contentious experience, ideally advising both employers and individuals
- Experience leading or mentoring junior solicitors or a team
- Commercial awareness and a strategic mindset
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a client-focused approach
- A passion for building long-term relationships and growing a department
What’s on Offer:
- A genuine opportunity to shape and lead the employment department
- Supportive, entrepreneurial environment with no micromanagement
- An established stream of high-quality work with loyal clients
- Autonomy to develop your own practice with full infrastructure in place
- Competitive salary, benefits package, and flexible working options
This is an exciting role for a senior solicitor ready to take the next step in their career, or for a current Head of Department seeking a more dynamic and empowering environment.
How to Apply:
Please reach out to alicia@ljwsolutions.com for a further discussion. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Senior Employment Solicitor or Head of Department employer: LJW Solutions
Contact Detail:
LJW Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employment Solicitor or Head of Department
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the legal field, especially those who are already working in employment law. Attend relevant seminars or workshops to meet potential colleagues and clients, which can help you gain insights into the firm's culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any previous experiences where you've successfully led a team or project. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've mentored junior solicitors or contributed to the growth of a department.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the firm thoroughly to understand their current employment law offerings and client base. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your discussions and demonstrate how you can contribute to their strategic growth.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to business development. Think about innovative strategies you could implement to attract new clients and retain existing ones, as this is a key aspect of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employment Solicitor or Head of Department
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in employment law, particularly your contentious and non-contentious work. Emphasise any leadership roles or mentoring experience you have, as this is crucial for the position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for employment law and your vision for leading a department. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed cases or teams in the past, and how you plan to grow the firm's employment practice.
Highlight Your Interpersonal Skills: In your application, make sure to demonstrate your excellent interpersonal skills. Provide examples of how you've built long-term relationships with clients and colleagues, as this is key for the role.
Showcase Your Commercial Awareness: Illustrate your commercial awareness and strategic mindset in your application. Discuss how you've contributed to business development in previous roles and how you plan to do so in this new position.
How to prepare for a job interview at LJW Solutions
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for a senior role, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, highlighting your mentoring experience and how you've contributed to team growth.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Employers are looking for candidates who understand the business side of law. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the firm's strategic goals and how your experience aligns with their vision for growth in the employment department.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to be asked about specific employment law issues, both contentious and non-contentious. Brush up on recent case law and be prepared to discuss how you would handle various scenarios, showcasing your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Client Relationships
Since the role involves advising both employers and individuals, be prepared to talk about your approach to building and maintaining client relationships. Share examples of how you've successfully managed client expectations and delivered results in previous roles.
