Head of Legal – Employment

About the job

My client is looking for an exceptional employment lawyer to join them as their Head of Legal and first in-house lawyer. Reporting into the CEO; this fantastic role will allow you to establish and lead the in-house legal capability. This opportunity offers the successful candidate a chance to work at the heart of the UK’s education ecosystem.

The business has recognised the need for a permanent, experienced employment specialist to help shape the development of the organisation. The role combines complex employment work, strategic judgement, service design and long-term leadership potential.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Qualified solicitor with a minimum of 5 PQE,
• Experience of employment law or closely related disputes work, with experience of handling or supervising tribunal claims, settlement negotiations and legally complex casework
• Strong Employment background with proven ability to manage and run their own matters independently.
• Experience in the education sector, or advising schools, colleges, trusts or education professionals.
• Experience of professional discipline, regulatory, safeguarding related matters, inquests or similarly sensitive proceedings.
• Proven experience of Advocacy experience in tribunals or other formal hearings.
• Experience gained in-house, or in a membership body, insurer-backed legal service, union-adjacent organisation or similarly client-facing advisory environment.
• The successful person will need to be confident “holding their own” with stakeholders and external counsel.
• Practical, commercial mindset.
• Comfortable building relationships at a distance and working more remotely

To explore this exciting opportunity further, please apply.

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