Legal Counsel – Employment (Milton Keynes, ENG, GB, MK7 6AA)
About the Role
This Legal Counsel – Employment role is an excellent opportunity for a qualified lawyer with at least 4 years’ post qualification experience in employment law. The successful candidate, together with the Senior Legal Counsel – Employment, will be the main source of legal advice to the University on employment issues.
The role will cover all aspects of employment law in relation to both contentious and non‑contentious matters.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing legal advice on day‑to‑day employment law issues, both contentious and non‑contentious, ranging from discrimination, redundancies, disciplinaries and grievances to Trade Union issues, TUPE transfers, reorganisations and Freedom of Speech.
- Handling Employment Tribunal claims from inception to final hearing, including drafting and preparing Employment Tribunal documentation and witness statements, advocacy in hearing, and, where necessary, instructing and liaising with external counsel.
- Drafting, updating and reviewing employment related documentation, e.g. contracts, policies, procedures, settlement agreements and the employment law provisions of wider commercial agreements.
- Delivering training on employment law topics/issues to the People Services department and others across the University when required.
- Developing and maintaining effective relationships with key internal stakeholders, particularly within People Services, and also with external legal advisors.
- Communicating legal options and advice to colleagues at all levels, and providing advice on the merits of claims and disputes, making commercial recommendations based upon risk assessment.
- Managing relationships with external law‑firms to ensure best value and consistently high levels of quality and service; monitoring and controlling external employment‑law related spend.
- Keeping up to date with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain a practicing certificate and ensure legal advice and documentation are aligned with current law.
- Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.
About You
Essential
- Qualified Solicitor (or equivalent), with at least 4 years’ post qualification experience in employment law.
- Highly developed knowledge and understanding of all aspects of employment law; experience of managing and advising on a wide range of employment related issues, both contentious and non‑contentious.
- Ability to handle Employment Tribunal claims from Early Conciliation through to final hearing, including advocacy/representation at preliminary hearings.
- Strong drafting skills in relation to both contentious and non‑contentious work: pleadings, witness statements, contracts, policies and procedures, settlement agreements, TUPE provisions in commercial agreements; and other employment‑related documentation.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, manage own case load and prioritise effectively against conflicting demands.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, with capability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels of seniority.
- Innovative, pragmatic problem‑solver with strong commercial awareness and sound judgment.
- Ability to communicate complex legal matters in an understandable way to colleagues with diverse expertise and priorities.
- Knowledge and application of IT skills.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a large complex organisation.
- In‑house legal experience, preferably within higher education or other unionised or public sector environments.
- If currently working in private practice, experience of clients within higher education or other unionised or public sector environments.
Benefits
At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work‑life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page.
Flexible Working
We are open to discussions about flexible working, including job share, part time, compressed hours or other arrangements. A hybrid working pattern is anticipated, with home and office work and about twice per month in the office as required.
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