Role Description
Based in the United Kingdom and reporting to the VP, Employment, Compliance, and Sustainability, this role provides practical, risk-based advice on global employment matters. This position primarily supports Europe, Middle East and Africa, with opportunities to partner on matters in other regions and global projects.
The Senior Counsel, EMEA Employment role requires a strategic, experienced legal professional who can provide practical counsel to business leaders, ensure compliance with evolving employment laws across multiple jurisdictions, and effectively manage complex cross-border employment matters and investigations.
What you'll do
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Provide day-to-day legal counseling to the People & Culture team, management, and other stakeholders on global employment matters, including hiring, classification, accommodations, leaves, discipline, terminations, and works council, collective bargaining, and trade union interactions.
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Draft, review, and negotiate employment-related agreements and documents, including offer terms, separation and settlement agreements, and policies/templates. Develop templates and guides.
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Manage employment-related claims, charges, and litigation (including pre-litigation demands), setting strategy and partnering with internal stakeholders; supervise outside counsel through resolution.
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Partner with People & Culture and business leaders to support employee relations matters and workplace investigations, including advising on process, privilege, findings, and recommended corrective actions.
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Conduct employment law training for People & Culture professionals and review other training materials for compliance with applicable law.
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Advise People & Culture and business leaders on immigration and other employee mobility matters, and supervise outside immigration counsel.
Qualifications
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LLB, LLM, or equivalent law degree (QLD) and active bar membership in at least one EMEA jurisdiction (or ability to obtain as required for the role).
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8+ years of relevant employment law experience, either in-house and/or at a law firm, with exposure to multi-jurisdictional or global employment issues strongly preferred.
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Strong legal judgment and ability to own projects without supervision and communicate complex issues clearly and pragmatically to non-lawyers; proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
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Comfort operating in a fast-paced environment with strong organizational skills.
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Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools and matter/document management systems a plus.
Benefits
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25 paid vacation days, plus 4 extra global VeeaMe Days for self-care and 24 paid volunteer hours annually through Veeam Cares.
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Private medical, dental, and vision insurance with dependent enrolment.
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Life insurance with enhanced coverage and global 24/7 protection.
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Income protection after 26 weeks, covering a portion of salary.
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Defined contribution pension plan with employer match.
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Worldwide travel insurance for business and leisure, with option to enroll dependents.
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Employee Assistance Program with therapy, legal, and financial support, plus online GP services and wellbeing programs.
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Opportunities to learn and grow through on-demand libraries (LinkedIn Learning, OβReilly), mentoring, workshops and learning events like our annual Global Day of Learning.