Legal Counsel - Employment (Milton Keynes)
Employer: The Open University
Location: It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from both home and the office, however this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office and attendance in the office will be required when appropriate and in response to business needs. It is anticipated that this will be around twice per month on average
Working hours: 37 Hours per week
Salary: £47,389 to £56,535
Closing date: 19 July 2026
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About the Role
This Legal Counsel - Employment role is an excellent opportunity for a qualified lawyer with at least 4 years’ post qualification experience in employment law. The successful candidate, together with the Senior Legal Counsel - Employment, will be the main source of legal advice to the University on employment issues.
The role will cover all aspects of employment law in relation to both contentious and non-contentious matters.
Key Responsibilities
Providing legal advice on day-to-day employment law issues, both contentious and non-contentious. This will cover all aspects of employment law ranging from discrimination, redundancies, disciplinaries and grievances to Trade Union issues, TUPE transfers, reorganisations and Freedom of Speech.
Handling Employment Tribunal claims from inception to final hearing, including drafting and preparing Employment Tribunal documentation and witness statements. Advocacy in Employment Tribunal hearing, and/or instructing and liaising with external counsel where necessary.
Drafting, updating and reviewing employment related documentation, e.g. contracts, policies, procedures, settlement agreements and the employment law provisions of wider commercial agreements.
Delivering training on employment law topics/issues to the People Services department and others across the University when required.
Developing and maintaining effective relationships with key internal stakeholders, in particular within People Services, and also with external legal advisors.
Communicating legal options and advice to colleagues at all levels, and providing advice on the merits of claims and disputes. Making commercial recommendations based upon risk assessment of the situation.
Contributing to the management of relationships with external law-firms to ensure best value and consistently high levels of quality and service. Helping to monitor and manage external employment law-related spend, ensuring costs are controlled.
Keeping up to date with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) so as to maintain a practicing certificate and to ensure legal advice and documentation are aligned with current law.
Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post.
About You
Essential:
Qualified Solicitor (or equivalent), with at least 4 years’ post qualification experience in employment law.
Highly developed knowledge and understanding of all aspects of employment law. Experience of managing and advising on a wide range of employment related issues (contentious and non-contentious).
Ability to handle Employment Tribunal claims from Early Conciliation through to final hearing, including advocacy/representation at preliminary hearings.
Strong drafting skills in relation to both contentious and non-contentious work. This includes pleadings, witness statements and other documentation in relation to Employment Tribunal claims; contracts; policies and procedures; settlement agreements; TUPE provisions in commercial agreements; and other employment-related documentation.
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, to tight deadlines and to manage own case load as well as to prioritise effectively against conflicting demands.
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, and capable of building effective relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels of seniority.
Innovative and pragmatic problem solver with strong commercial awareness and sound judgement.
Ability to communicate complex legal matters to colleagues in an understandable way and in a manner that can usefully inform individuals with a range of expertise, understanding, experience and priorities.
Knowledge and application of IT skills.
Desirable:
Experience of working in a large complex organization.
In-house legal experience (preferably within the higher education sector or other unionised or public sector environment,).
If currently working in private practice, experience of clients within the higher education sector or other unionised or public sector environment.
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