Legal Counsel Employment

Legal Counsel - Employment
Location: Milton Keynes (Hybrid / Remote - 1 day on-site)
Salary: £47,389 - £56,535 per annum
Contract: Permanent | Full time (37 hours per week)

Pertemps is proud to be recruiting on behalf of The Open University, the UK's largest university and a global leader in flexible education. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Employment Solicitor to join a respected in-house legal team, supporting a complex and values-driven organisation with a national footprint.

The Role
Working alongside an established in-house employment lawyer, you will act as a key legal adviser to the University on the full range of employment law matters. You will provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice to stakeholders at all levels and play a hands-on role in contentious and non-contentious work. This role offers genuine variety, autonomy, and the chance to make a real impact in a public sector environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day employment law advice across the full employee lifecycle
• Manage Employment Tribunal claims from Early Conciliation through to final hearing, including advocacy where appropriate
• Draft and review employment contracts, policies, procedures, settlement agreements and TUPE provisions
• Advise on complex matters including restructures, redundancies, trade union issues and freedom of speech
• Deliver employment law training to People Services and wider University teams
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external legal advisers
• Manage external legal spend and ensure best value and quality of service
• Maintain CPD and a current practising certificate

About You
Essential:

• Qualified Solicitor (or equivalent) with at least 4 years' PQE in employment law
• Strong experience across contentious and non-contentious employment matters
• Proven ability to manage Employment Tribunal claims end-to-end
• Excellent drafting, communication and stakeholder management skills
• Commercially astute, pragmatic, and confident working independently

Desirable:

• In-house legal experience
• Experience within higher education, public sector or unionised environments
• Private practice experience advising similar organisations

What's in It for You

• Competitive salary and generous pension (6.1% employee 14.5% employer)
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Strong focus on work-life balance
• 33 day+ Christmas closure + bank holidays.

How to Apply
Please submit:

• Your CV
• Supporting statement (up to 1,000 words) outlining your suitability for the role which can be uploaded or if you struggle to do this please email: openuniversity@pertemps.co.uk

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.

Pertemps acts as both an employment business and an employment agency on behalf of The Open University.