Legal Counsel (French Speaking) - UK or Luxembourg based

Join us as Legal Counsel and step into a dynamic, high-impact role where your expertise will shape and transform how we manage and deliver contingent workforce engagements across the business! You’ll be the go-to specialist, providing clear, practical guidance while designing processes and leading training that keep us aligned with regional regulatory requirements. The successful candidate could be based in any of the following locations: Manchester, Reading, Teesside, Aberdeen, Glasgow in the UK or in Hesperange in Luxembourg.

From navigating client contract negotiations to overseeing worker employment agreements, you’ll manage the full contract lifecycle — confidently handling any employment matters that arise and ensuring every engagement runs smoothly from start to finish.

What You’ll Be doing

• Commercial Contract Negotiation – Lead the negotiation and review of commercial agreements across recruitment, staff leasing, EOR, and service contracts.
• Trusted Legal Advisor – Provide clear, pragmatic advice on all contingent workforce engagements across the business.
• End-to-End Contract Management – Oversee the full contract lifecycle, from client agreements through to worker and subcontractor contracts.
• Process & Governance Design – Develop, implement, and maintain compliant processes and governance frameworks for engagements.
• Contract Documentation Oversight – Ensure all contractual documentation aligns with client requirements and internal standards.
• Regulatory Compliance – Interpret and apply relevant employment and labour laws, including temporary worker legislation.
• Employee & Contractor Support – Advise on employment queries, including terminations and contractor matters, ensuring compliant outcomes.
• Training & Capability Building – Deliver training to sales teams on compliant engagement models and best practices.
• Risk & Classification Management – Identify, assess, and escalate risks, including worker classification and operating model issues.
• Continuous Improvement & Reporting – Maintain templates, track issues and legislative changes, and provide insights and reporting to legal leadership.

Why NES Fircroft?

• Rewarding Your Expertise: Benefit from a highly competitive base salary that truly recognises and rewards the value you bring.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible working from home options along with an early 4pm finish on Fridays—giving you more time to focus on life outside of work.
• Making a Difference: Take a paid day each year to support charitable causes, with additional opportunities to get involved in meaningful initiatives.
• Generous Time Off: Start with 32 days of annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing to 37 days over time, plus the option to purchase up to 5 extra days each year.
• Long-Term Security: Access life insurance and a strong pension scheme designed to support your future.
• Health & Wellbeing: Make the most of our Cycle to Work scheme and invest in your wellbeing.
• Time with Loved Ones: Benefit from a Christmas shutdown, giving you time to switch off and enjoy the festive period.
• Vibrant Culture: Join a supportive and social team environment with clear career progression and ongoing development opportunities to help you grow.

What We’re Looking For

• Legal Expertise & Qualifications: Holds a legal degree or equivalent qualification, with 1–3 years’ experience gained within a law firm or in-house legal team, and is a qualified lawyer.
• French Speaking: Fluency in French is essential.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with contingent workforce compliance is a distinct advantage, combined with a solid understanding of employment and contract law within the relevant region.
• Commercial Contract Experience: Proven experience in negotiating and advising on commercial agreements, with the confidence to navigate complex contractual discussions.
• Analytical Strength & Attention to Detail: Strong analytical mindset with exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and quality in every aspect of your work.
• Performance Under Pressure: Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, consistently delivering high-quality outcomes within tight deadlines.
• Commercial Awareness & Influence: Demonstrates sound judgement by balancing legal, governance, and commercial risks, with the ability to influence stakeholders and provide clear, objective advice.
• Growth Mindset: Embraces continuous learning, showing curiosity and enthusiasm for new ideas, developments, and opportunities.
• People Insight: Displays a strong awareness of how individuals and teams operate across the business, adapting approach to different situations to drive effective outcomes.

NES Fircroft is more than a recruitment business—we’re a global partner in engineering talent solutions. Our focus is on connecting outstanding professionals with leading organisations, helping to power innovation and enable growth worldwide. We’re committed not just to delivering results, but to creating a positive, meaningful experience for everyone we work with. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, knowing that different perspectives fuel innovation and stronger outcomes for our clients and candidates. We comply with GDPR standards, ensuring candidate data is protected at every step. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support during the recruitment process, we will be happy to accommodate.