Job at a glance
The team: The employment legal team sits within a full-service legal department made up of lawyers specialising in corporate, M&A, commercial, IP, technology, property, media, compliance and data protection law. We are a collaborative department and you will have the opportunity to work on an extremely broad range of matters across all parts of the business, gaining challenging and quality experience.
Your role: You will work with a Legal Director and Legal Counsel to provide employment legal services to colleagues in the HR department and directly to leaders/managers across the business. The ability to work at pace and manage many competing priorities at once is important but the team demonstrates and values flexibility. Day to day: You will work in partnership with colleagues in the HR department, advising them and the business on various employee relations matters such as grievance and disciplinary processes, performance management, contractual issues, employment status, sickness absence management and the application of company policies.
You will also advise on diversity and inclusion matters and a variety of other ad hoc queries as they arise. Draft and negotiate contracts, e.g. settlement agreements, independent contractor agreements and apprenticeship training supplier agreements. Assist with commercial contracts and corporate transactions, including advising on TUPE transfers, conducting due diligence and drafting contractual provisions on employment matters.
Work with the HR team to review and update policies and precedents and assist with the development of new policies/precedents when needed. Have the opportunity to assist with employment litigation, training and providing key legal updates to the business and the HR team. Carry out legal research and be responsible for maintaining internal and intra-group risk registers. You will draft, review and negotiate talent and retainer contracts and have involvement in conducting tax status assessments for our independent contractor population, in collaboration with our Tax team.
A qualified solicitor (able to practise in England and Wales) with experience in a quality private practice employment department and ideally in-house experience (including secondments). Strong PQE with comprehensive knowledge of UK employment law and best practice and are confident advising independently. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey legal advice clearly and concisely in a commercial context.
A methodical approach to work, with a strong focus on accuracy and quality. Someone who demonstrates natural interpersonal skills and a positive, collaborative approach to working with colleagues at all levels across the business. A dynamic and agile person; able to work to deadlines and prioritise tasks in a demanding commercial environment. To exercise tact and diplomacy within the organisation and carry out all responsibilities in a way which supports the company's values and promotes high ethical standards.
If you think you have what it takes but don't tick every requirement on the list, please do apply. We recognise that considering someone's potential as well as their experience is a great way to hire. We want to hear from people who have a passion to learn and develop, and we are open to both full time and part time working arrangements for this role. News UK is one of the leading media businesses in the UK and Ireland.
Our newsbrands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday and The TLS. Our national broadcast brands include talkSPORT, Times Radio and Virgin Radio UK, and we have market-leading local stations across Ireland. Our world-famous brands provide news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to almost 40 million people each month. Spanning print and pixel, audio and video, events and experiences, our multi-format brands are home to a plurality of opinion, representing the diverse communities we serve.
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