Employment Counsel

Employment Counsel    
Flexible Base Location with UK Travel
Full Time, Permanent
Competitive salary

Company Car / Bonus

Here at Serco, we are seeking a diligent and experienced Employment Counsel to join our team to provide employment law advice and support, and related risk and compliance in the UK in alignment with the strategic objectives of the HR and Legal functions. In this pivotal role, you will enhance the efficacy and efficiency of legal advice and strategically support for the management and resolution of employment matters in the UK. You will work collaboratively with senior HR colleagues to manage, resolve, and deliver successful outcomes on IR matters and complex/contentious HR and ER matters. You will identify changes and developments in employment law and assess and manage their impact on Serco to provide ongoing assurance of compliance with applicable employment laws.

Serco's purpose is to impact a better future - we bring together the right people, the right technology, and the right partners to create innovative solutions that deliver positive impact and address some of the most urgent and complex challenges facing governments globally. Our services are powered by more than 50,000 colleagues working across multiple sectors including defence, space, migration, justice, healthcare, transport, and customer services in four regions: UK & Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.
 

As part of this you'll:

• Serve as a subject matter expert and business partner leading on the delivery of employment law advice, guidance and support and related risk and compliance in the UK business.
• Develop, enhance, and embed strategies, and in turn support changes to policies, procedures, and ways of working which enhance the efficacy and efficiency of legal advice, and risk management on HR, ER, and IR matters across the UK business.
• Provide strategic advice and leadership on settlement negotiations and agreements with claimants and their legal representatives in strategic/complex matters.
• Identify changes and developments in employment law and assess and manage their impact on Serco and provide ongoing assurance of compliance with applicable employment laws within the UK business.
• Support the triage of non-complex employment claims and matters and act as an escalation point, coach and mentor for Employee Relations Partners managing these claims and matters on a day-to-day basis.
• Provide proactive advice, support, and guidance to bid and transition teams and to Serco's governance forums on TUPE related matters.
• Manage relationships with external legal providers and be for the sourcing and provision of quality, cost-effective and value-add advice and support into the HR and Legal teams and wide UK business with responsibility for management, reporting and forecasting of employment related legal costs.
• Develop and deliver employment law training programmes for the Serco UK&E HR and legal teams and colleagues in the wider business.

What you'll need to do the role:

• Qualified and experienced employment lawyer with practising certificate and relevant professional qualifications.
• Significant and demonstrable experience of managing and delivering successful outcomes on employment law matters - contentious and non-contentious.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of current employment law in the UK. Experience of European jurisdictions would be advantageous.
• Demonstrable experience of balancing commercial, legal, operational and people related aspects to achieve successful outcomes and acceptable risk profiles.
• Strong commercial acumen and business orientated approach.
• Experience of implementing and driving change with a mindset of continuous improvement and continually seeking improved and more efficient methods of working.
• Ability to communicate and build strong relationships across a diverse community of stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to work with changing priorities in a fast-paced dynamic environment.

What we offer:

• Company car / £4200 cash alternative.
• Bonus scheme - 10% on target, 20% exceeding targets.
• Private healthcare.
• Life assurance.
• Up to 6% contributory pension.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Annual leave purchase scheme.
• A Serco benefits portal offering a wide range of discounts for major high street brands in Retail, Leisure & Hospitality.
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Health Cash Plans, free flu jabs and more.
• A wealth of career development training to suit your future aspirations. These range from role specific training, leadership coaching, formal study and much more to support you to build your career with Serco.
• A safe and supportive culture.
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion.

About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services.  We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks - SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging. 

Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.  For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
 

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the 'Ban the Box' pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.