Employment Lawyer in Leeds

SBFM is a leading facilities management business committed to excellence in service delivery. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we strive to create a positive and legally compliant workplace culture. To support this, we are seeking a highly skilled Employment Lawyer to join our HR team. This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified employment solicitor with at least 2 years’ PQE, gained in a law firm or in-house legal department in England or Wales. The role offers variety, responsibility, and the chance to make a real impact on the business by shaping our employee relations strategy and handling complex employment law matters, including tribunal representation.

As an Employment Lawyer, you will play a pivotal role in advising the business on employment law matters, managing employment tribunal claims, and ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. You will be the primary legal expert within the HR team, providing strategic guidance, shaping policies, and mitigating legal risks. A key element of this role is acting as the principal advocate in employment tribunal hearings, making this an excellent opportunity for a solicitor with hands-on tribunal experience who thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced business environment.

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and execute the employee relations strategy aligned with the company’s objectives.
  • Act as a trusted legal advisor to senior management on employment law matters.
  • Provide expert guidance to mitigate legal risks and manage employee relations issues effectively.
• Employment Tribunals & Case Management
  • Represent the business at employment tribunals, acting as the principal advocate where required.
  • Prepare and present cases, including gathering evidence, drafting submissions, and coordinating witnesses.
  • Manage employment tribunal claims in partnership with the HR team, ensuring the company’s position is effectively communicated.
  • Oversee complex grievances, disciplinaries, and workplace disputes, ensuring fair and legally compliant outcomes.
  • Advise the business on tribunal outcomes and implement lessons learned to mitigate future risks.
  • Liaise with external legal advisors where necessary, preparing instructions and managing external legal support.
• Policy & Compliance
  • Lead the development and continuous improvement of employment policies and procedures in line with UK employment law and best practices.
  • Ensure policies are consistently applied across the organisation.
  • Keep up to date with changes in employment legislation and proactively implement compliance measures.
  • Advise on the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) and manage employee transfers as required.

• Qualified solicitor in England & Wales, with a minimum of 2 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) in employment law.
• Experience gained at a regional, national, or international law firm in an employment department, or in an in-house legal role.
• Experience representing employers at employment tribunals as the principal advocate.
• Strong knowledge of TUPE regulations and experience advising on employee transfers.

• Excellent legal knowledge and the ability to apply it pragmatically within a commercial business environment.
• Confident communicator with strong advocacy and negotiation skills.
• Strategic thinker, able to anticipate risks and develop proactive solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, growing business and manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Be a Good Person - We give people opportunities and embrace their inherent goodness. We are open minded and uphold integrity. We are respectful and considerate. We are kind and appreciative.
• Play as a Team - Community and communication is everything. We remain inclusive within our company and with our clients. Together, we grow, retain, execute, and make an impact. We are one team.
• Think Differently - We encourage a growth mindset, everything can be improved through effort. We love innovation and ideas. We are disruptors, and push boundaries for sustainable growth.
• Make an Impact - It’s all about the ultimate goal. We exceed expectations and deliver results at pace. We challenge the norm and step out of our comfort zone, because at our core, we are passionate and love to win.

Our company recognises and values the enriching benefits equality, diversity and inclusion bring to our community. We celebrate diversity and actively encourage applicants from minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+, disabled and neuro-diverse groups to apply for our vacancies. Our aim is to nurture happy teams who learn from and inspire each other and we believe diversity is key to achieving this goal.