Employment Counsel

Location: Basingstoke

Working Pattern: In office 2 days per week

Our client is a global mobility platform offering innovative solutions and technologies that assist drivers in finding and managing parking and electric vehicle charging. Their services include mobile paid parking, parking dashboards, electric vehicle charging solutions, and digitalising parking permits. Their technology aids cities, businesses, parking operators, and property owners in making data-driven decisions to optimize space usage and reduce congestion. They operate in over 20,000 cities across more than 90 countries.

While no one can be an expert in every country’s laws and regulations, they are seeking someone with deep experience in a broad range of European employment and labour law issues that are often common to many European countries and the UK, including deep experience navigating and managing works council and union issues. You will collaborate closely with the People & Culture team and other stakeholders across global operations, as well as manage specialized external counsel as needed.

What You Will Do

• Legal Advisory and Stakeholder Engagement: Provide strategic legal guidance on European employment and labour law matters to business leaders. This includes employee relations, workplace investigations, performance management, terminations, compliance with existing and emerging laws and regulations, and employee share plans.
• Policies and Regulatory Compliance: Proactively develop, implement, and review policies and procedures to ensure alignment with company culture, values, and requirements, as well as with existing and emerging employment laws and regulations. Proactively monitor legislative and regulatory changes across Europe and ensure compliance, policies, and training where needed.
• Works Councils and Unions: Navigate and advise on works council and union requirements and processes, particularly in France and the Netherlands, but also potentially in other countries.
• M&A: Support and provide advice on employment and labour aspects of mergers and acquisition activity, including advice and oversight on the EU Acquired Rights Directive and the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment rights, works council consultations, and integration planning and execution.
• Employment Contracts: Provide advice on employment contracts, executive agreements, and other legal documents, ensuring they adhere to European and country-specific legal requirements.
• Employment Disputes: Oversee and manage European and country-specific employment claims and disputes, such as wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour issues.
• Training and Development: Support training programs for managers and employees on best practices and legal compliance.
• External Counsel Management: Manage external legal counsel and legal spend for specialized matters.

What You Will Bring

• A law degree from a reputable European university (e.g., Master en Droit, LLM in European Law, or equivalent). Additional qualifications or certifications in European employment law are highly desirable.
• Extensive experience handling European employment law issues and works council matters, either in-house at a multinational company or at a prestigious law firm.
• Extensive knowledge of European employment and labour laws, such as EU directives, labour laws, works council regulations and consultation processes, and country-specific legal frameworks.
• Experience in France is particularly relevant; fluency in French is desirable but not essential.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex legal concepts and advise diverse stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to align legal strategies with global business goals while managing works council requirements.
• Knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulation and its implications on employment law.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative mindset with a commitment to fostering an inclusive and positive workplace culture.

If you’re passionate about European employment and labour law matters and would love to join a growing, collaborative legal team at a fast-paced global technology company, please apply.