Employment Counsel 6-9PQE

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Employment Lawyer to join our in-house legal team at a dynamic mid-sized hedge fund. The successful candidate will provide strategic and practical advice on all employment law matters across the UK and international jurisdictions where applicable. This is a hands-on role requiring strong technical expertise, commercial acumen, and the ability to partner effectively with HR and senior management.

Key Responsibilities

• Advisory & Compliance:

  • Advise on UK employment law and related regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance with applicable legislation.
  • Monitor and interpret changes in employment law and assess their impact on the business.

• Policy & Documentation:

  • Draft, review, and update employment contracts, policies, and procedures.
  • Advise on compensation structures, benefits, and incentive arrangements in line with regulatory standards.

• Employee Relations & Disputes:

  • Manage and resolve complex employee relations issues, including grievances, disciplinary actions, and terminations.
  • Oversee employment-related litigation and manage external counsel where necessary.

• Strategic HR Support:

  • Partner with HR on workforce planning, restructuring, and redundancy processes.
  • Provide guidance on diversity, inclusion, and workplace investigations.

• Cross-Border Issues:

  • Advise on employment matters in other jurisdictions (with support from local counsel), particularly in relation to expatriate employees and global mobility.

• Training & Risk Management:

  • Deliver training to HR and management on employment law developments and best practices.
  • Identify and mitigate employment-related risks across the business.

Qualifications & Experience

• UK-qualified solicitor with 6-9 years PQE in employment law.
• Strong experience in both contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
• Prior in-house experience within financial services or a hedge fund environment preferred; top-tier private practice background also considered.
• Familiarity with FCA regulations and SMCR implications for employment matters is advantageous.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.