Head of Legal – Employment

UK Research and Innovation

Head of Legal - Employment responsible for legal services and managing employment law cases at UKRI. Overseeing a legal team and collaborating with senior management on legal matters.

Posted 7/28/2026full-timeSwindon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomLead💰 £70,752 - £88,893 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in employment law with a strong focus on providing high-quality legal advice and managing a legal team effectively. Capable of strategic thinking and influencing senior management while ensuring compliance within the public sector framework.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Or Chartered Legal ExecutivePost-Qualification Experience In Employment LawTeam Leadership And ManagementStrategic Legal AdviceExcellent Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Employment Law AdviceContentious And Non-Contentious MattersQuality Assurance Of Legal AdvicePublic Sector Policy UnderstandingTechnical Proficiency In Legal Issues

Soft Skills

Influencing SkillsSelf-MotivatedEffective Workload ManagementCollaborative Work StyleCreative Problem Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

2:1 Honours Degree Or EquivalentQualified To Practise In England And Wales

Industry Keywords

Non-Departmental Public BodyLegal Team ManagementRisk-Based Legal AdviceSenior Level Client AdvisingCareer Development In Legal Staff

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Oversee and ensure the provision of high-quality, timely, risk-based and pragmatic employment law advice to support the business of UKRI.
Supervise and be responsible for the effective and efficient management of cases and workloads in your team.
Exercise sound judgment when balancing key legal and commercial risks and benefits.
Provide advice as required on complex, strategic and/or technical legal issues.
Jointly lead and run the day-to-day operation of the UKRI Legal Team.
Lead and empower a small team of qualified employment lawyers.
Enhance learning and development and career progression opportunities for legal staff.
Proactively engage with senior managers throughout the organisation.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in your first degree (in any subject) or equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement where satisfactory evidence can be provided.
Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales.
Substantial post-qualification experience of advising on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment law matters.
Experience of leading and managing a legal team, providing professional supervision and developing staff.
Skilled and experienced employment lawyer with the ability to understand public sector policy drivers and work effectively within the statutory framework applicable to a non-departmental public body.
Ability to provide effective quality assurance of the team’s legal advice on employment matters.
Demonstrable technical proficiency and strong experience of advising clients at a senior level.
The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence and work collaboratively.
'Can-do' individual who is self-motivated and able to plan and manage a varied workload, meeting deadlines and effectively prioritising and managing competing demands.

Benefits

Comp & perks

An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
Flexible working options.