Senior Counsel (Employment) - 9 month FTC in City of London

If you’re a bright, engaging and solutions focused employment counsel with commercial acumen and ability to build lasting relationships with stakeholders at all levels, this role could be for you! We are working with a well-known fashion retailer seeking an employment specialist to join the legal team on an initial 9 month FTC, with the possibility of extensions. They are a fun, dynamic and collaborative team/business and you will be the sole employment specialist in a team of commercial lawyers. Therefore, you’ll have the opportunity to advise at all levels and lead the way with all matters relating to people and employment law.

This is an exciting role in a fun, fast-paced business. You will report directly to our General Counsel & Company Secretary as part of a small legal team of 8 based in London and Weymouth. You’ll primarily advise and support all areas of the People and HR Team with their work across stores, distribution and support centres, as well as advising the board of directors and other areas of the business, such as procurement and customer services.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Litigation: managing all employment disputes from the point of contact from ACAS conciliators. These typically include claims of discrimination, unfair and constructive unfair dismissal, and unlawful deductions from wages. Ideally, representing the company in the Employment Tribunal at preliminary hearings, judicial mediations and if appropriate, at full hearing.
• Advisory: Providing ad hoc advice to the business on a range of matters such as discrimination complaints, maternity rights, grievances, sickness absence management, redundancy and re-structuring, health and safety, TUPE, bonus arrangements, holiday entitlement, retirement, performance management, disciplinaries and dismissal, varying terms of employment, grievances, continuous service and employment status or corporate projects as may arise from time to time.
• Drafting: Advising on the terms of contracts of employment at all levels, supporting with maintaining staff handbooks and policies, drafting consultancy agreements, appointments of non-executive directors, settlement and secondment agreements.
• Stakeholder management: Managing upwards, keeping the General Counsel & Company Secretary and other Commercial Solicitors in the team informed about important issues and able to present clearly and precisely, enabling others to understand the key facts and issues.
• Legal developments & Regulations: Staying up to date with legal developments and key business information and is aware of the marketplace and the company’s position within it.
• Relationship development: Cultivating and maintaining a relationship with internal stakeholders and external counsel.
• Training: Identifying and providing training to the business on relevant legal issues.
• Projects: Coordinating projects, liaising with and managing external law firms to obtain advice (UK and overseas).

Minimum Qualifications & Desired Attributes

• Qualified Solicitor
• 5+ year PQE (we will consider applications at other PQE levels)
• Experience gained within a highly regarded Employment department either in house or as part of a leading National/International Firm providing you have experience of working in house either on secondment or as part of your employment
• Excellent IT skills.
• In-house experience (including secondment) and/or experience advising retail/consumer clients.
• Excellent technical skills across the full remit of employment law matters.
• Excellent drafting, negotiating and communication skills
• Personable and confident, able to build relationships with partners/key stakeholders quickly
• Resilient and calm under pressure. Adaptable and flexible approach.
• Ability to take responsibility and act autonomously with minimal supervision
• Excellent organisational skills – ability to plan, organise and prioritise tasks and projects.
• Ability to work under pressure, to prioritise tasks and manage deadlines.
• Innovative, proactive and able to respond creatively and effectively in offering solutions whilst managing expectations.
• Commercial awareness and ability to produce innovative and cost-effective legal solutions.
• A high degree of professionalism and willingness to constructively challenge the status quo.
• A true trusted business partner.

Duration: 9 month Fixed Term Contract

Start date: Feb/March 2026

Salary: DOE – Approximately £90,000 per annum with company benefits

Office working: London 1-2 days a week