At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert legal advice on employment law and support HR initiatives.
- Company: Join Virgin Atlantic, a leading travel company with a focus on inclusion.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and thrive in a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping employee relations.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with 5+ years’ experience in UK employment law.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Hours: Full Time 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday
Location: Crawley, West Sussex (Hybrid) 3 days on site per week in line with hybrid working policy
Contract: Permanent
In a nutshell
This is a rare opportunity to step into a unique employment law role at the heart of Virgin Atlantic. As our Manager Legal Counsel – People Relations, you’ll be a trusted advisor to our People function, senior leadership, and wider business. You’ll bring clarity and confidence to complex employment issues, helping us make decisions that are not only legally sound but also commercially savvy and people focused. From providing fast paced day to day guidance, supporting change projects and new business initiatives, guiding senior hirings and exits to shaping our approach to employee relations for unionised and non-unionised workforces, you’ll ensure we deliver fair, compliant and pragmatic outcomes that support both our people and our purpose.
Day to day
- Provide expert legal advice on UK and international employment law, covering recruitment, contracts, disputes, and terminations.
- Advise on TUPE, business transfers, and industrial relations matters including trade union engagement and collective bargaining.
- Deep understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and its impact on business considerations.
- Draft and review employment-related agreements such as contracts, settlement agreements, and incentive schemes.
- Lead and manage employment litigation, including tribunal work and engagement with external counsel.
- Partner with HR, Reward, Employee Relations, internal audit and senior leaders to deliver pragmatic, commercially aligned advice.
- Contribute to policy development, governance, and compliance processes, ensuring best practice.
- Support broader corporate and commercial initiatives, adding legal value to strategic projects.
- Share knowledge and develop templates to drive consistency and continuous improvement within the legal team.
About you
- Qualified solicitor in England & Wales (or equivalent jurisdiction) with a strong academic background and ideally 5+ years’ PQE, including significant exposure to UK employment law within a complex, fast-paced organisation.
- Demonstrated experience advising on the full employee lifecycle, including disciplinary, grievance, performance management, absence management, discrimination, whistleblowing, redundancy, restructuring, and senior exits, with the ability to assess both legal and reputational risk.
- Proven expertise managing Employment Tribunal litigation end-to-end, including drafting pleadings, instructing external counsel, developing case strategy, negotiating settlements, and delivering commercially pragmatic outcomes while minimising legal and financial exposure.
- Strong working knowledge of TUPE, collective consultation obligations, industrial relations, and trade union engagement, with experience supporting organisational change programmes, restructures, outsourcing activity, or operational transformation in a unionised or highly regulated environment.
- Demonstrated ability to draft, review, and negotiate employment contracts, settlement agreements, policies, and executive service agreements, ensuring legal compliance alongside alignment to broader business objectives.
- Commercially astute, with the judgement to balance legal robustness against operational realities, enabling leaders to make informed, risk-based decisions at pace.
- Credible and confident operating at senior stakeholder level, with experience influencing leaders through complex or sensitive employee relations matters and building trusted relationships across HR, leadership, and wider business functions.
- A clear and engaging communicator, able to translate complex legal concepts into practical, accessible advice for non-legal audiences, both verbally and in writing.
- Highly organised and delivery-focused, with experience managing a varied caseload, balancing competing priorities, and maintaining high standards of accuracy and responsiveness under pressure.
- Collaborative and pragmatic in approach, with a proactive mindset and the ability to work independently while contributing positively to a high-performing legal and people team.
Be yourself – Our differences make us stronger
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.
To make your journey with us accessible and individual to you, we encourage you to let us know if you’d like a little extra help with your application, or if you have any individual requirements at any stage along your recruitment journey. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team (recruitment@fly.virgin.com) feeling confident that we’ve got your individual considerations covered.
Additional information
At Virgin Atlantic, our leaders empower teams to thrive through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Explore our Leadership Recipe and discover the 20 core ingredients that define what it means to lead with us, driving our mission to be the most loved travel company and achieve sustainable profit.
Manager – Legal Counsel (Employment Law) in Crawley employer: Virgin Atlantic
At Virgin Atlantic, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Crawley, West Sussex, where collaboration and innovation thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our inclusive culture, which celebrates diversity and empowers individuals to be their authentic selves. With a focus on professional development and a hybrid working model, we provide our employees with the flexibility and support they need to excel in their roles while contributing to our mission of becoming the most loved travel company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager – Legal Counsel (Employment Law) in Crawley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience in employment law. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Virgin Atlantic's culture and values. Understand their approach to employee relations and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just a fit on paper!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your expertise in UK employment law and how it can benefit Virgin Atlantic. Highlight your experience with TUPE and collective bargaining, as these are key areas for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Virgin Atlantic team.
We think you need these skills to ace Manager – Legal Counsel (Employment Law) in Crawley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Manager – Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in employment law and how it aligns with our needs at Virgin Atlantic. We want to see how you can bring clarity and confidence to complex issues!
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on detailing your legal expertise, especially in UK employment law. Share specific examples of how you've managed employment litigation or advised on TUPE matters. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills!
Be Clear and Engaging:When writing your application, keep it clear and engaging. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can translate complex legal concepts into practical advice. Use straightforward language and make your points easy to understand.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Atlantic
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on UK and international employment law, especially around TUPE, collective bargaining, and employee relations. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the law but can apply it practically in a fast-paced environment.
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Think of specific situations where you've successfully navigated complex employment issues or managed litigation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, demonstrating your ability to handle challenges effectively and deliver commercially savvy outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a legal counsel, you'll need to translate complex legal jargon into accessible advice for non-legal audiences. Practice explaining intricate concepts clearly and concisely, as this will be crucial in your role and will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Spirit
Highlight your experience working with HR, senior leaders, and other stakeholders. Share examples of how you've built trusted relationships and contributed positively to team dynamics, as collaboration is key in this role at Virgin Atlantic.
