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- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on employment law and manage litigation risks.
- Company: Join Optical Express, the UK's leading provider of eye care services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while supporting exceptional patient care.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with 5 years' PQE in Employment Law and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive legal team in a growing business.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location - Glasgow City centre (Office based)
Working Pattern - Full or Part time with flexible working options
Travel - UK wide travel required
Optical Express is the UK's leading provider of laser eye surgery, lens replacement, and private eyecare services. With a nationwide network of clinics and over a thousand employees, we are committed to delivering exceptional patient care supported by robust legal, ethical, and operational standards. As our organisation continues to grow, we are seeking a skilled Employment Lawyer to join our in-house legal team.
Role Overview
The Employment Lawyer will act as a key legal advisor to the business on all employment law matters, providing high-quality, timely, and commercially focused legal support across the organisation. The role will involve advising on both contentious and non-contentious employment issues, supporting HR with policy development, managing litigation risk, and ensuring the company's people practices remain compliant with UK employment legislation. This role is suited to a confident, pragmatic lawyer with a minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) in employment law, ideally gained across a combination of private practice and in-house environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Advisory & Compliance
- Provide expert legal advice on a wide range of employment law matters, including disciplinary and grievance issues, absence management, discrimination, TUPE, redundancy, performance management, and employee relations.
- Partner with HR and operational teams to interpret legal obligations and embed best practice people management.
- Draft, review, and maintain employment contracts, HR policies, handbooks, and related documentation.
- Monitor developments in employment legislation and case law, ensuring the business remains compliant and informed.
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Manage Employment Tribunal claims from instruction through to resolution, including drafting pleadings, preparing witness statements, liaising with external counsel, and supporting hearings as required.
- Work proactively with stakeholders to identify legal risk, resolve disputes early, and minimise exposure.
- Projects & Strategic Support
- Provide legal input into strategic HR initiatives, including organisational restructures, TUPE transfers, change programmes, and employee engagement projects.
- Deliver training and legal updates to HR teams and managers.
- Support senior leadership with complex, sensitive, or high-risk people matters.
- Corporate & Commercial Support
- Advise on employment aspects of commercial agreements, consultancy arrangements, and third-party relationships.
- Support due diligence and integration activity linked to acquisitions, partnerships, or wider business development.
Skills & Experience Required
- Essential
- Qualified Solicitor in Scotland, or England & Wales with a willingness to advise on Scottish employment law (with support where required).
- Minimum of 5 years' PQE specialising in Employment Law.
- Strong technical expertise across contentious and non-contentious matters.
- Proven experience managing Employment Tribunal litigation.
- Commercially minded with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
- Excellent drafting skills and high attention to detail.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to travel across the UK as required.
- Desirable
- Previous in-house experience, particularly within healthcare, retail, or large multi-site organisations.
- Experience delivering training or presenting complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
- Working knowledge of data protection and privacy issues in the employment context.
Personal Attributes
- Pragmatic and solutions-focused with a strong commercial mindset.
- Confident, credible, and able to influence at senior levels.
- Resilient and discreet, with high levels of professionalism and integrity.
- Proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable working autonomously within a busy in-house environment.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Opportunities for ongoing professional development.
- A supportive in-house legal team within a dynamic and growing business.
Employment Lawyer - in-House in Glasgow employer: Optical Express
Contact Detail:
Optical Express Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employment Lawyer - in-House in Glasgow
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the legal field! Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at Optical Express. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Show Off Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in employment law. Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex issues or managed litigation. This will show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who can add real value to their team.
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on Optical Express and the role of Employment Lawyer. Understand their values, recent news, and challenges they might face. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on joining the team at Optical Express.
We think you need these skills to ace Employment Lawyer - in-House in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Employment Lawyer role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially your PQE in employment law and any in-house experience. We want to see how your skills align with what we need!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team at Optical Express. Share specific examples of your work in employment law and how you can contribute to our mission.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As an Employment Lawyer, strong communication is key. In your application, demonstrate your ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly. This will show us that you can effectively partner with HR and other teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Optical Express
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in employment law, especially those relevant to the healthcare sector. Be prepared to discuss recent cases or changes in legislation that could impact the role, as this will show your commitment and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Since the role involves working closely with HR and operational teams, think of examples where you've successfully managed relationships with various stakeholders. Highlight how you’ve influenced decisions or resolved conflicts, as this will demonstrate your ability to navigate complex environments.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific employment law scenarios, such as managing a disciplinary issue or advising on a TUPE transfer. Practise articulating your thought process and the legal principles involved, as this will showcase your practical application of knowledge.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Mindset
Employers want to see that you can balance legal risk with business objectives. Prepare to discuss how you've approached legal issues with a commercial perspective in the past, and be ready to suggest ways to align legal advice with the company's goals.
