Employment Director (EMEA)

Employment Lawyer EMEA Level: Director Location: Southampton Role: *Flexible full-time or Part-time Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Benefits Reporting to: Group General Counsel

An exciting newly created opportunity for an experienced employment lawyer to join a growing international financial services organisation.

Reporting directly to the Group Head of Legal, you will act as the lead employment law specialist for the business, partnering closely with senior leaders and the People function across multiple jurisdictions.

This is a highly visible role offering exposure to complex domestic and international employment matters, alongside the opportunity to contribute to broader commercial and strategic legal initiatives. The position would suit a commercially minded employment lawyer who enjoys working closely with stakeholders, influencing decision-making and helping organisations navigate change and growth.

Both full-time and part-time arrangements will be considered.

The Opportunity

As the organisation's employment law subject matter expert, you will provide practical, commercially focused advice on a wide range of workforce-related matters while supporting the business in maintaining a compliant, high-performing and people-focused culture.

You will be trusted to balance legal risk with commercial objectives, helping leaders make informed decisions across a complex and evolving international environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted adviser to the People team and senior leadership on complex employment law matters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Provide expert legal guidance on employee relations issues, including disciplinary matters, grievances, performance management, investigations, redundancies, restructures and workplace disputes.
• Monitor and advise on developments in employment legislation and workplace regulations, ensuring continued compliance across the business.
• Manage employment-related claims and disputes, including liaising with external counsel and supporting settlement negotiations where required.
• Draft, review and update employment contracts, policies, employee handbooks and related documentation.
• Identify legal and regulatory risks associated with workforce decisions and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and become a key strategic partner to the People function.
• Support employee incentive and equity programmes from a legal and governance perspective.
• Contribute to broader Legal team initiatives, including advising on commercial contracts, supplier agreements and other corporate legal matters as required.
• Lead or support cross-functional projects and organisational change initiatives.

About You

• Qualified Lawyer admitted in the UK or similar common law jurisdiction
• At least 10+ years' of post-qualification experience, with employment law as your primary area of expertise.
• Strong experience gained within a leading law firm, in-house legal team, or a combination of both.
• Excellent technical employment law knowledge and ability to apply it in a pragmatic, commercial manner.
• Experience advising on complex employee relations matters and organisational change projects.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Strong drafting, negotiation and communication abilities.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly organised, proactive and solutions-focused.

Desirable Experience

• In-house legal experience within a regulated or professional services environment.
• International employment law advisory experience.
• Exposure to employee share plans, reward structures or executive compensation matters.
• Experience supporting multi-jurisdictional businesses through periods of growth and transformation.

What's on Offer

This is a unique opportunity to join a collaborative and ambitious organisation where legal plays a strategic role in business success. You'll work closely with senior leadership, gain exposure to complex international employment law issues and contribute to key business decisions across a growing global platform.

The organisation is committed to supporting professional development through ongoing training, technical learning and career progression opportunities.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates