Legal Director, Employment Legal in London

Your work days are brighter here. We're obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we're shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you'll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We're in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you'll do meaningful work with Workmates who've got your back. In return, we'll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you've found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

The Employment Legal Team advises the business and People & Purpose on complex employment law matters across Workday. Our goal is to drive company growth through informed guidance on risks and opportunities. In the year ahead, the team will focus on supporting Workday's continued expansion into new markets, enabling innovation through responsible AI and automation, and strengthening how we manage employment-related risk across the organization. The Employment Legal Team is empowered to protect Workday's core values, with a focus on Employees and Integrity. If you are energized by meaningful work at the intersection of employment law and business growth, and you want to be part of a team that values fairness and collaboration, this is the place for you.

About the Role

As an EMEA Employment Counsel on the Employment Legal Team, you will serve as a trusted advisor, partnering with colleagues across Legal, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, People & Purpose, and other business functions. You will support Workday's core values of innovation, customer service, integrity, and profitability while helping ensure Workday maintains a culture of fairness, development, and fun for its employees. You will apply discerning judgment when advising on complex employment matters and guide the business in evaluating risk when making decisions.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing mentorship and counseling to a range of teams and partners across Workday on matters relating to compliance, investigations, and dispute resolution
• Counseling and providing guidance to People & Purpose on employee relations issues, including investigations, grievances, employee performance, terminations, leaves of absence, and occupational health
• Providing pragmatic advice to the business on employment obligations across EMEA jurisdictions
• Drafting and reviewing employment agreements, policies, work rules, and related documents for current and new markets
• Conducting due diligence and advising on employee-related issues in mergers and acquisitions
• Managing pre-litigation and litigation disputes and developing creative resolution approaches
• Supporting the Corporate Investigations team by providing in-region guidance and support on investigations within EMEA

About You

Basic Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience practicing employment law, with a focus on EMEA jurisdictions
• Qualified lawyer admitted to practice in at least one EMEA jurisdiction

Other Qualifications

• Demonstrated business acumen, with the ability to understand and interpret business contexts to provide practical, solutions-oriented legal advice that supports organizational growth and aligns with broader company objectives
• Experienced in risk analysis, including identifying and assessing potential employment law risks across multiple EMEA jurisdictions, conducting impact assessments, and advising business partners on approaches that drive compliance and business continuity
• Skilled in developing risk mitigation strategies, with the ability to assess potential exposure, develop response plans, and implement proactive measures that reduce organizational risk
• Experienced in legal consulting, including providing expert guidance on a wide range of employment matters such as contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, employee relations, and dispute resolution, while building trusted relationships with internal clients
• Adept at critical thinking, with the ability to analyze complex employment law issues, evaluate information from multiple sources, and develop well-reasoned recommendations that balance legal risk with business priorities
• Experience managing employment litigation, including overseeing outside counsel, developing case strategy, and driving efficient and effective resolution of disputes across EMEA jurisdictions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts in clear, accessible language and collaborate effectively across teams and jurisdictions

Our Approach to Flexible Work

With Flex Work, we're combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together.