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Head of Legal – Employment

Jobtailor
Swindon · posted 20 August 2026
Location
Swindon, England
Category
Legal
  • 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

  • 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.

Core Competencies

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 Executive
  • Post-Qualification Experience In Employment Law
  • Team Leadership And Management
  • Strategic Legal Advice
  • Excellent Communication Skills

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

  • Employment Law Advice
  • Contentious And Non-Contentious Matters
  • Quality Assurance Of Legal Advice
  • Public Sector Policy Understanding
  • Technical Proficiency In Legal Issues

Soft Skills

  • Influencing Skills
  • Self-Motivated
  • Effective Workload Management
  • Collaborative Work Style
  • Creative Problem Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

  • 2:1 Honours Degree Or Equivalent
  • Qualified To Practise In England And Wales

Industry Keywords

  • Non-Departmental Public Body
  • Legal Team Management
  • Risk-Based Legal Advice
  • Senior Level Client Advising
  • Career Development In Legal Staff
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