Legal Counsel - Employment

Our Purpose

Working in Partnership for a happier world - our shared Purpose that guides us in everything we do and inspires 3 important principles; happier people, happier business, happier world. The John Lewis Partnership is a truly unique business, one that seeks to make a positive difference to the lives of everyone.

At a glance

Our team is based in Central London and we embrace hybrid working. The Legal team works together in the office at least once a week, including every Thursday. As a business with locations across the UK, there may also be requirements to travel to locations outside of London from time to time.

The salary range for this role is set at £64,100 - £98,400

This position is a 12 month fixed term contract

About the role

Reporting into the Senior Legal Counsel, Employment, the John Lewis Partnership is looking for a Legal Counsel, Employment to join the team. We are currently recruiting this role on a fixed term basis for up to 12 months.

This is a fast paced role in a busy in-house legal team, dealing with a huge range of UK employment legal issues. You will advise the trading divisions of the John Lewis Partnership (John Lewis and Waitrose) and its Group function (together, the "Partnership") in relation to all aspects of employment law.

This is a demanding role which requires a very good understanding of employment law including TUPE; working time and pay related issues (including NMW and holiday pay); and restructures and redundancy, with an awareness of how wider socio-economic issues and future legislation changes may impact the business. Organisational skills and a self starting mentality are paramount as the candidate needs to be able to work independently and prioritise and manage a variable and pressurised workload.

The Partnership is a unique business and it is essential that the candidate has the adaptability to advise within the context of its Constitution and democratic structure.

Dealing with stakeholders at various levels, up to Executive Director, the candidate needs to be highly proficient in building strong relationships and managing stakeholders effectively. Relationships across the Employment law team and wider Legal Department are also paramount, as a strong and effective relationship is needed with the fellow Employment Lawyers and other members of the legal team.

Requirements include, but are not limited to:

> Providing strategic, up to date and pragmatic legal advice, acting as a business partner to stakeholders in the Partnership

> Leading on high value, complex and/or strategic projects or transactions relating to employment law

> Supporting the Senior Legal Counsel and Heads of Legal in the development, implementation and maintenance of the Legal team strategy, taking ownership of relevant strategic imperatives

> Taking a proactive approach in relation to the identification of risk and risk management, and proactively identifying and guiding the Partnership in response to regulatory and legislative change

For External applicants - Please click on the link below for the role profile

For Internal applicants only - You would like to view the job outline for this role please copy and paste the following link into your browserINTERNAL LINK ONLY

Essential skills

>Lawyer qualified to practice in the UK with significant up to date experience working in employment law

> In house experience (including secondments) at an organisation with a large and diverse UK workforce preferably in a retail or customer service environment.

> Experience working in both a team, but also the ability to work autonomously

> Understanding of the commercial world and an ability to deliver advice through a commercial lens

> Ability to interact with and advise senior stakeholders up to and including Executive Directors

> In depth experience advising on redundancy and restructure programmes, terms and conditions reviews, TUPE transfers (including commercial negotiations; industrial and employee relations issues and working time and pay/pay compliance issues.

Desirable skills

Immigration, financial services or experience working with different types of employee representative bodies is desirable but not essential

Benefits of the Partnership and the role

• Hybrid Working
  
• Full - time working holiday entitlement 25 days holiday, plus public and bank holidays (this is prorated for part time hours)
  
• Excellent work life balance, including focus on well being and flexible working and our marketing leading equal parenthood leave Policy
  
• Defined Contribution pension scheme where your contributions will be matched by the Partnership (up to 8% of pay) and, after three years' service, you'll receive an additional Partnership contribution of 4% of pay, regardless of whether you pay in or not
  
• You'll get Partnership discount in store and online once you complete your Earning Membership period. That's 25% off in John Lewis (12% off electrical products, some exclusions apply) and 20% in Waitrose (some exclusions apply) You'll also be able to nominate someone you live with to share your discount.
  
• Simple cycle to work support scheme
  
• We're really proud of our exclusive hotels based in some of Britain's most beautiful areas and once you've been with us for three months, you're welcome to explore them
  
• Health Care cover
  
• Learn more about our extensive range of exciting benefits that you could enjoy when you join us, visit - ttps://www.jlpjobs.com/about/benefits/
  

Next Steps

The application form consists of a CV upload followed by application questions. Please ensure you refresh the page each time you complete a task to ensure you complete everything that you need to in time. (If internal, check your Workday notifications and see further guidance on the PDW under "Internal application process").

Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, are likely to include a 1 stage virtual interview

We occasionally close vacancies early in the event that we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore we recommend you apply early.

You'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you.

Thanks for your patience in the meantime and for showing an interest in joining JLP.





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At the John Lewis Partnership, we embrace our differences. We want you to be you. Because, well, we know you're at your best when you're free to be yourself. Being a truly inclusive employer to us means creating an environment which celebrates your contribution, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, social background, religion or belief. It's why we've set our own aim to become the UK's most inclusive business - for our Partners (employees) and our customers. We firmly believe that our future success lies in diversity of thought from all Partners and it's integral in our mission to build a happier world. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us. And, once you're a Partner, your differences will make all the difference. Find out more about D&I in the Partnership here - https://www.jlpjobs.com/about/diversityandinclusion/