In-house Employment Counsel

In-House Employment Lawyer | Manchester A rare opportunity has arisen for a junior to mid-level employment lawyer to step into a truly international in-house role within a fast-growing, people-focused global organisation. Why this role is different: In-house employment law roles at this level are notoriously hard to come by. You will join a high-performing legal team embedded directly within the business, acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across HR, operations, and leadership teams. This is not a domestic employment law position. You will support a business operating across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, Europe, the US, and APAC. The work spans: * Multi-jurisdictional employment advisory work * Cross-border workforce and recruitment-related issues * Supporting international HR and leadership teams * Navigating differing legal and regulatory frameworks across regions * Exposure to external counsel in multiple territories You will gain early experience advising on how employment law operates in practice across a global footprint-something rarely accessible at this stage in private practice. What you will be doing * Providing clear, commercial employment law advice across both contentious and non-contentious matters * Acting as a trusted partner to People/HR and senior stakeholders * Supporting the development of templates, policies, and contractual documentation * Identifying and escalating legal and regulatory risks * Monitoring and interpreting employment law developments across jurisdictions * Supporting legal projects and continuous improvement initiatives * Working closely with external counsel where required * Contributing to broader legal work, including occasional support on commercial contracts What we are looking for * Qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with c.2-5 years' PQE in employment law * Strong grounding in both advisory and contentious employment matters * Commercial mindset with the ability to translate legal risk into practical guidance * Confident communicator, comfortable engaging directly with senior stakeholders * Interest in international employment law and developing cross-border expertise * Pragmatic, organised, and able to manage a varied workload * Collaborative approach and willingness to operate as part of a wider business function Why join * Rare in-house entry point for employment lawyers at this level * Significant international exposure early in your career * Direct access to senior leadership and strategic decision-making * Broad, varied work beyond the constraints of billable hours * Opportunity to shape how employment law is delivered within a scaling global organisation * High-visibility role with genuine long-term career development potential If you are an ambitious employment lawyer looking to move into a role where your advice directly influences global business decisions, this is an opportunity worth serious consideration.