At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on UK employment law, manage disputes, and mentor junior lawyers.
- Company: Leading global bank with a strong legal team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: 12-month contract with potential for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Join a prestigious bank and make a real impact in employment law.
- Qualifications: 5+ years PQE in UK employment law and in-house experience required.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
We are supporting a leading MNC Bank on the appointment of a Senior Legal Counsel, Employment Law for a 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave. This is a senior, established role within the Bank’s Employment Legal team, advising on a broad range of UK employment law matters across the UK and Europe, with a strong focus on day-to-day advisory, employee relations and employment disputes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Advising on complex employment matters including investigations, disciplinaries, grievances, restructures, redundancies and terminations
- Managing employment litigation and disputes, including working closely with external counsel
- Advising on employment contracts, HR policies, internal procedures and employee-related matters
- Supporting sensitive employee issues, including Data Subject Access Requests and regulatory employment matters
- Advising on settlement strategy and negotiating settlement terms
- Providing occasional support on M&A integration and restructuring matters
- Mentoring and supervising a junior employment lawyer
We’re looking for:
- 5+ PQE with strong UK employment law experience
- England & Wales qualified with a current practising certificate
- Prior in-house experience is essential
- Strong experience handling employment litigation, disputes and contentious employee relations
- Excellent drafting and advisory skills across employment contracts, policies and HR matters
- Commercial, pragmatic and confident working with senior stakeholders
- Financial services or other regulated-sector experience is a plus, but not essential
Role details:
- Location: London
- Contract: 12-month fixed-term
- Start: Late October / November 2026
- Full-time preferred; part-time/fractional arrangements may be considered
If you're an experienced employment lawyer looking for a senior in-house opportunity within a global financial institution, please get in touch for a confidential discussion.
Senior Employment Counsel | Global Bank employer: NOVA8
As a leading global bank, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Our London office offers a collaborative culture where you can engage with senior stakeholders and tackle complex employment law issues, all while benefiting from flexible working arrangements and opportunities for mentorship. Join us to be part of a prestigious institution that values your expertise and supports your career development in the financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Employment Counsel | Global Bank
✨Get Involved in Legal Networking Events
Jump into local or virtual legal networking events to meet industry pros and get your foot in the door! Use platforms like Eventbrite or Meetup to find gatherings, as these are great for making connections and hearing about temporary roles at firms like NOVA8.
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a simple online portfolio to showcase your legal work, whether that's case briefs, research papers, or even blog posts on legal topics. This public display can really set you apart when looking for temp roles in law, especially if you can make it relevant to the work that NOVA8 does!
✨Tap into Law School Resources
If you're near a law school, hit up their career services. They often have leads on temporary positions and can help connect you with alumni working at firms. Plus, they might host workshops or job fairs specific to the legal sector—great for scoring that temp position!
✨Stay Updated with Legal Job Boards
Regularly check specialised legal job boards like LawCareers.Net or TotallyLegal for temporary listings. Many firms post their openings directly there, and applying quickly can give you an edge over the competition when looking to join a prestigious firm like NOVA8.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Employment Counsel | Global Bank
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Know-How:In the legal services world, it's all about demonstrating your understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Make sure your CV highlights your legal training, internships, or any relevant projects you've worked on. If you've done any mooting or legal research, include those too - they can really set you apart!
Tailor Your Application for the Temp Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should stress your adaptability and readiness to jump in right away. Highlight any previous temp roles where you quickly got up to speed, or any diverse experiences that show you can handle a variety of cases or tasks with ease.
Keep it Specific with Your Documents:Make sure your application includes essential legal documents, such as any relevant certifications or memberships in legal bodies. These can add credibility to your CV and show that you're serious about the profession – especially useful in a competitive field like law!
Express Your Enthusiasm in the Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a golden opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Let them know why you’re excited about this temporary position with NOVA8 and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at NOVA8
✨Show Off Your Legal Know-How
Prepare to discuss your understanding of legal terminology and concepts that might come up during the interview for the Senior Employment Counsel | Global Bank role at NOVA8. Brush up on relevant laws or recent cases that could be pertinent to the temporary position, as they'll likely appreciate candidates who can think on their feet and adapt to the fast-paced legal environment.
✨Talk About Your Flexibility
Since this is a temporary role, employers want to know you can hit the ground running. Be ready to highlight past experiences where you've had to quickly adapt to new tasks or work cultures. Flexibility is key in a short-term position like this, so share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage changing priorities efficiently.
✨Prepare for the Casework Challenge
You might face hypothetical scenarios where you'd have to advise on a legal issue or case. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as interviewers in the legal sector often expect candidates to walk them through their reasoning step-by-step. This will not only showcase your legal acumen but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial in law.
✨Pitch Your Legal Portfolio
If you have any relevant work samples, such as briefs, contracts, or legal research, this is your chance to shine! Be ready to discuss what you did, what challenges you faced, and the outcomes. This speaks volumes more than just listing your skills; it shows you're proactive and results-oriented, which is essential for a temporary role at NOVA8.
