Your new company
Join a renowned educational institute to support their drive to merge pioneering research and cutting-edge forward thinking. This higher education institution is looking for a new addition to their legal team.
Your new role
This organisation is seeking a skilled Part-Time Employment Lawyer to join the team, providing responsive and pragmatic legal advice and training to the People and Organisational Development team (POD) and the wider higher education community. This role involves addressing a wide range of employment, trades union, and labour relations issues within a higher education context. The successful candidate will work independently, evaluating complex issues quickly and providing accurate advice that considers both legal and operational perspectives. Some key responsibilities of the role include:
* Provide legal advice on employment-related matters, including recruitment, employment contracts, disciplinaries, grievances, harassment, bullying, long-term absences, reasonable adjustments, whistleblowing, reward and recognition, statutory consultation, redundancy, dismissal, settlement agreements, trades unions, industrial action, and TUPE.
* Support individuals conducting hearings and investigations under the organisation’s policies.
* Assess the need for external legal referrals and collaborate with external solicitors and counsel.
* Manage case work in Employment Tribunals and Courts, draft submissions, and prepare employees for giving evidence.
* Advise on HR policies and processes, offering guidance and training to POD and the wider College on employment law issues to ensure consistency and best practice.
* Contribute to the development of the Legal Services team by training and mentoring junior colleagues and assisting in building precedent banks and knowledge materials.
* Adhere to and support policies and procedures, particularly regarding Health & Safety and Equality and Diversity.
What you'll need to succeed
* Solicitor or Barrister
* Experience in employment law within the Higher Education Institution (HEI) sector
* Strong up-to-date knowledge across a broad range of HEI-related law
* Excellent oral and written communication skills
* Ability to evaluate complex data and provide clear, pragmatic advice
* Resilience and robustness in potentially challenging situations
* Commitment to ongoing legal and professional development
What you'll get in return
* Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work options (1/2 days in the office)
* Options for compressed hours and job sharing
* Potential for the role to become permanent
* Exposure to a dynamic environment at a prestigious university
* Support for professional development and career growth