Head of Legal – Employment

UK Research and Innovation

. Provide authoritative advice on contentious and non-contentious employment law issues .

Posted 10/19/2026full-timeSwindon • United KingdomLead💰 £70,752 - £88,893 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in contentious and non-contentious employment law, providing high-quality legal advice while managing a team and overseeing legal operations. Capable of strategic thinking and effective communication, with a strong understanding of public-sector legal frameworks.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Qualified Solicitor, Barrister, Or Chartered Legal ExecutiveSubstantial Post-Qualification Experience In Employment LawExperience Leading And Managing A Legal TeamExcellent Written And Verbal Communication SkillsUnderstanding Of Public-Sector Policy Drivers

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Employment LawLegal AdviceRisk AssessmentCase ManagementQuality AssuranceLegal Budget ManagementLegal Capability DevelopmentPublic-Sector Legal FrameworksLegal TrainingStakeholder Engagement

Soft Skills

Strategic ThinkingCreative Problem SolvingCollaborationInfluencing SkillsWorkload Management

Certifications & Qualifications

Qualified SolicitorQualified BarristerChartered Legal ExecutiveBaseline Personnel Security Screening (BPSS)

Industry Keywords

Public SectorNon-Departmental Public BodyEmployment Law IssuesLegal Services FunctionsLegal Spend Efficiency

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide authoritative advice on contentious and non-contentious employment law issues
Handle a personal caseload of complex employment-law matters
Lead UKRI Legal’s employment-law advice for central initiatives, programmes, projects and business-as-usual activities
Oversee timely, high-quality, risk-based and pragmatic employment-law advice
Manage team cases and workloads and maintain case-management records
Assess legal and commercial risks and benefits and make recommendations aligned with UKRI’s risk appetite
Jointly lead and manage the day-to-day operation of the UKRI Legal Team
Deputize for the General Counsel/Director of Legal in legal casework and team-management matters
Lead and line-manage up to four legal professionals
Develop staff capability, learning, career progression and professional qualifications
Engage with HR and other UKRI working groups
Build relationships with senior managers and stakeholders
Support development of new legal capability, policies, processes and protocols
Improve efficiency in legal spend and internal controls
Support management of the legal budget, external legal support procurement and Legal Training Budget
Act as escalation point for complex employment-law queries
Travel to various UKRI locations as required

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
Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales
Substantial post-qualification experience advising on contentious and non-contentious employment law matters
Experience leading and managing a legal team, providing professional supervision and developing staff
Skilled and experienced employment lawyer able to understand public-sector policy drivers and work 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
Strong experience advising clients at senior level as a trusted advisor
Strategic and creative thinking, with ability to see legal issues in their wider context
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to influence and work collaboratively
Ability to plan and manage a varied workload, meet deadlines, prioritize and manage competing demands
Ability to work flexibly and adapt working style in a changing environment
Understanding of drivers affecting legal-services functions within the public sector
Understanding of links between Legal and other corporate services functions
Valid identification and original documentation confirming right to work in the UK, or eligibility to obtain it
Baseline Personnel Security Screening (BPSS) is a pre-condition of employment

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
Wellbeing initiatives supporting work-life balance
Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme
Reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities