Head of Legal - Employment

We are working with a well known and loved, FTSE listed, Consumer & Hospitality brand who are based in the Northern Home Counties, who are looking for an experienced Employment Lawyer to join the organisation and lead the establishment of an Employment function.

Client Details

A well known and loved, FTSE listed, Consumer & Hospitality brand with over 35,000 employees across the UK and Europe.

Description

The responsibilities for the of Head of Legal - Employment will include:

*Advising the business, including members of the Executive Committee and senior people leaders, on employment legal matters and consequences.

*Business partnering the People Function to provide commercial and strategic solutions to people-related issues in support of overall strategy, purpose and Values.

*Participating in the development of legally sound policies and programs in all areas of labour and employment law.

*Responsibility for employment law matters across the Group, including UK, Germany and Ireland

*Overseeing regular reviews of employee Handbooks, contracts of employment, service agreements, settlement agreements and other legal documents and policies.

*Advising on the implementation of national and international legislation, guidance and case law including ESG reporting and Pay Transparency requirements.

*Providing practical, commercial and strategic legal advice on contentious and potentially contentious employment matters, including conducting a risk-assessment of complaints and developing legally sound strategies for the company's defence of legal actions and claims and supporting the response to any regulatory investigations

*Own the employment legal risk register driving the right actions through the appropriate stakeholders

*Advising the business on pending changes and trends in employment and labour-related laws, ensuring an effective and proactive "horizon-scanning" service

*Assisting in achieving strategic goals by identifying legal consequences and issues associated with new projects & deployments and plans and recommending appropriate courses of action to achieve business objectives while limiting liability and risk.

*Advising on employment immigration issues, including sponsorship and license matters. Ensuring legal compliance with immigration requirements.

* Advise on employment matters connected to reward, share schemes, pensions, cars, healthcare and other benefits.

* Ensure compliance related to human rights issues/modern slavery etc.

* Represent the business externally through inputting into and influencing any government consultations and liaising with external bodies.

Profile

Suitable candidates for the role of Head of Legal - Employment will have the following qualifications/experience:

• Qualified Solicitor in the UK or relevant jurisdiction
• Demonstrable experience in a well-regarded law firm or multi-national multi-site corporate environment (in house) on labour & employment law, in-house experience preferred
• Broad background in providing advice and counsel to human resources and operating senior business managers in complex labour & employment related matters.

Job Offer

A competitive base salary and benefits package together with Hybrid working.