This senior post leads employment law within the Legal function at UK Research and Innovation's corporate centre, which advises the Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England. The holder advises on contentious and non-contentious employment matters, runs a complex personal caseload and acts as the escalation point for queries. Joint leadership of the wider Legal team sits alongside line management of up to four lawyers, with deputising for the General Counsel. Qualification as a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive in England and Wales is required.
What the job involves
- Provide authoritative, risk-based employment law advice across UKRI, including on complex and strategic issues
- Lead and line manage a small team of employment lawyers, controlling workflow and quality of advice
- Handle a personal caseload of complex employment matters to tight deadlines
- Jointly lead the day-to-day operation of the UKRI Legal team with the other Heads of Legal
- Deputise for the General Counsel/Director of Legal in casework and team management as required
- Act as the point of escalation for complex employment law queries
- Engage senior managers across the organisation as a trusted adviser
- Give employment law insight to support central initiatives, programmes, projects and business as usual
- Drive legal capability, best-practice policies, processes and internal controls
- Support the legal budget, including external legal support procurement and the training budget
- Develop learning, career progression and professional qualifications for legal staff
- Engage with HR and other working groups, and link with Board Secretariat, Strategy, and Governance, Assurance and Risk
What’s required
Qualifications
- Minimum 2:1 honours degree in any subject, or equivalent high-level academic or professional achievement
Registration & licences
- Qualified to practise as a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive in England and Wales
Experience
- Substantial post-qualification experience advising on contentious and non-contentious employment law
- Substantial experience advising a wide range of clients, particularly at senior leadership level
- Experience of leading and managing a legal team, including professional supervision and staff development
- Experience of quality-assuring a team's employment law advice
Skills & knowledge
- Strong technical employment law expertise and strategic thinking
- Understanding of public sector policy drivers and the statutory framework for a non-departmental public body
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including influencing and collaborative working
- Ability to manage and prioritise a varied workload to deadlines as a self-motivated individual
- Ability to work flexibly and adapt to a changing environment
- Ability to work on own initiative and stand by difficult decisions
Checks & eligibility
- Right to work in the UK, or eligibility to obtain it, evidenced with original documents at interview
What’s offered
- Defined benefit pension scheme
- 30 days' annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days (full-time equivalent)
- Flexible working options
- Hybrid working available
- Employee assistance programme
- Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure
- Support for development and continuous learning
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
