At a Glance
- Tasks: Advise on a wide range of employment law matters in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Company: Highly regarded international business with a collaborative legal team.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and the chance to work on major internal projects.
- Other info: 12-month fixed-term contract with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by supporting complex employment matters and collaborating with senior stakeholders.
- Qualifications: UK-qualified employment lawyer with strong advisory and contentious experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are working with a highly regarded international business that is looking to hire an experienced Employment Counsel on a 12-month fixed-term contract basis. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded employment lawyer to take on a broad in-house role, advising on a wide range of employment and people-related legal matters across a large, complex and fast-paced organisation.
The successful candidate will work as part of an established legal function, providing high-quality, pragmatic and commercially focused employment law advice to internal stakeholders across the business. The role will cover the full range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including:
- Employment contracts and wider contractual arrangements
- TUPER
- Restructures, reorganisations and business change projects
- Employee relations issues, including grievances and disciplinaries
- Employment disputes, ACAS matters and Employment Tribunal claims
- Whistleblowing and sensitive internal investigations
- Internal HR policies, procedures and governance
- Compensation and benefits matters
- Equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Restrictive covenants
- Terminations and settlement arrangements
- Employment law support on major internal projects and initiatives
The successful candidate will work closely with key stakeholders across the organisation, including HR, Risk, Legal and senior business stakeholders, and will be expected to proactively identify, manage and mitigate employment law-related risk.
The ideal candidate will be a UK-qualified employment lawyer with strong post-qualification experience. Candidates should be able to demonstrate:
- Strong experience advising on both advisory and contentious employment matters
- Experience supporting restructures, business change and people-related projects
- A commercial, pragmatic and solutions-focused approach
- Excellent drafting, written and verbal communication skills
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility quickly
- The ability to work collaboratively across a large, matrixed organisation and advise stakeholders at all levels
- A proactive approach with excellent attention to detail
- The maturity, discretion and judgement required to handle sensitive and confidential matters
- Flexibility and the ability to get up to speed quickly in a complex environment
This is a broad and high-quality 12-month maternity cover opportunity within a collaborative and well-established legal team. The successful candidate will advise on complex and sensitive employment matters, support major internal projects and work closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation. The role is based in London with hybrid working (1-day per week).
In-House Employment Counsel in London employer: SSQ
Join a prestigious international law firm in London, where you will be part of a dynamic and supportive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. As a Private Wealth Lawyer, you will have the unique opportunity to work on complex, cross-border disputes while receiving mentorship from experienced partners, ensuring your career flourishes in a stimulating environment. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on high-net-worth clients, this firm offers a rewarding path for those looking to make a significant impact in the legal field.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land In-House Employment Counsel in London
✨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 SSQ.
✨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 SSQ 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 SSQ.
We think you need these skills to ace In-House Employment Counsel in London
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 SSQ and how you're motivated to contribute to their success during your limited time with them!
How to prepare for a job interview at SSQ
✨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 In-House Employment Counsel role at SSQ. 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 SSQ.
