Legal Counsel (Employment)

TL;DR

Legal Counsel (Employment): Providing expert legal advice on all aspects of employment law for the UK's largest university with an accent on contentious and non-contentious matters. Focus on managing Employment Tribunal claims, drafting complex employment documentation, and advising internal stakeholders on risk and compliance.

Location: Must be based in the UK; hybrid role with required attendance at the Milton Keynes office approximately twice per month.

Salary: £47,389 – £56,535

Company

hirify.global is a world-leading institution dedicated to flexible higher education and research excellence.

What you will do

• Provide legal advice on day-to-day employment issues including discrimination, redundancies, and grievances.
• Manage Employment Tribunal claims from inception to final hearing, including advocacy.
• Draft and review employment contracts, policies, and settlement agreements.
• Deliver training on employment law topics to the People Services department.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external legal advisors.
• Monitor and manage external legal spend to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor (or equivalent) with at least 4 years of post-qualification experience in employment law.
• Must be based in the UK and able to attend the Milton Keynes office as required.
• Extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
• Proven ability to handle Employment Tribunal claims and provide advocacy.
• Strong drafting skills for legal documentation and commercial agreements.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal matters to non-legal colleagues.

Nice to have

• Experience working in a large, complex organization.
• In-house legal experience, particularly within the higher education or public sector.
• Experience with unionized environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Commitment to work-life balance with flexible working arrangements available.
• Supportive environment with opportunities for professional development and CPD.
• Access to a comprehensive staff benefits package.
• Mission-driven work environment focused on transforming lives through education.

Hiring process

• Face-to-face interviews are expected to take place onsite at the Milton Keynes campus during the week commencing 3 August 2026.