Group Head of Legal, Employment

Serving as key in-house legal advisor to the Group People Leadership Team on global employment law matters, including strategic HR initiatives and employee relations matters.

• Developing, implementing, and managing employment law compliance initiatives as directed by management.
• Working with relevant teams to keep corporate and HR policies and related materials in compliance with the law.
• Working with HR colleagues to maintain group template employment contracts, settlement agreements and other employment related documents.
• Providing support in relation to HR led transformation programmes.
• As technical expert, having oversight of employment law due diligence on M&A transactions and the post-completion work required to integrate acquired businesses.
• Managing employment litigation and contentious matters with the support of external counsel.
• Developing a network of relationships with, and a strategy for engagement with, external law firms globally in relation to employment law support.
• Supporting the Group Legal function on a range of corporate advisory related issues.
• Partnering with HR colleagues to address workforce representation related issues, including national labour unions and representative bodies.

• In depth contentious and non-contentious employment law experience.
• Preference for those that have built their career within a major law firm and have successfully transitioned to an in-house role.
• Experience of working in multinational businesses, with significant exposure to cross border workforce related matters.
• Advanced drafting and negotiation experience across international employment law related matters.
• Ability effectively to support, prioritise and manage multiple transactions and projects.
• Ability to manage external counsel across a large number of global jurisdictions on numerous mandates.
• A succinct and concise communicator, calm under pressure, capable of flexing personal style and adapting as needed.
• Able to form and maintain strong working relationships, keen to collaborate throughout the organization.
• Astute business and professional judgement, able to assess and manage risk in the context of wider commercial drivers.
• An accountable self-starter, prepared to take the lead with regards to making recommendations.
• Has the energy, confidence and gravitas required to advise senior management and to influence individuals within an organisation.