Employment Education Senior Associate - Principal Associate

Senior / Principal Associate - Employment (Education Sector) | Global Law Firm | Birmingham | Hybrid Working Available A leading global law firm is seeking an experienced Employment lawyer (Senior Associate or Principal Associate, 4+ PQE) to join its top-ranked Education Employment team. This is a permanent position based in Birmingham, with hybrid working available. This is an exceptional opportunity to join the UK's number one legal provider to the education sector, working within a Chambers and Legal 500 Band 1 ranked team advising high-profile national and international education clients. The Role As a key member of the Education Employment team, you will deliver expert, sector-focused employment advice across the full spectrum of workforce issues affecting universities, colleges, schools, academies, and private education providers. Responsibilities will include: Advisory Work: Delivering pragmatic, commercial advice across non-contentious matters including restructures, mergers, collaborations, international projects, governance issues, equality and discrimination, whistleblowing, senior exits, and regulatory/policy work. Contentious Work: Managing complex Employment Tribunal claims and disputes arising within higher education, further education and schools, including discrimination, unfair dismissal, whistleblowing, and contractual claims. Industrial Relations: Advising on trade union engagement, collective consultation, industrial action, and workforce strategy. Client Support & Training: Delivering training sessions, webinars and workshops tailored to education-sector HR, management, and governance teams. Business Development: Leading and supporting sector-focused initiatives, campaigns, and thought leadership to strengthen client relationships and market presence. Collaboration: Working closely with specialist education, corporate, governance, and regulatory lawyers to provide joined-up support across major institutional projects. You will form part of a highly collaborative, well-supported team with a strong focus on knowledge sharing, supervision and professional development. The Team The Education sector team comprises over 60 specialist lawyers and is ranked number one in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. The Employment team advises on the full range of workforce matters affecting the UK's second-largest employment sector, with clients spanning major universities, FE colleges, schools, academies, and private education providers. The practice is recognised for its deep sector insight, strategic approach, and ability to support clients across contentious, non-contentious and regulatory challenges at local, national, and international levels. The Candidate · Qualified Solicitor with 4+ years' PQE in Employment law · Experience advising education-sector clients in the UK (universities, colleges, and/or schools) is essential · Strong technical knowledge with the ability to provide clear, commercial advice · Excellent client-handling and communication skills · Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-focused approach · Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers · Understanding of the regulatory, governance, and operational challenges facing the education sector · Commercial awareness and enthusiasm for contributing to business development initiatives What's on Offer? · Join a market-leading Education Employment team at the forefront of legal and sector developments · Opportunity to work with prestigious national and international education clients · Hybrid working policy with flexibility based in Birmingham · Competitive salary with performance-based rewards · Comprehensive benefits package, including: o Private healthcare, dental cover, and wellness support o Enhanced pension and life assurance o Generous leave policies with options to buy additional days o Flexible working and remote-working support o Wellbeing and employee assistance services o Cycle-to-work scheme, season ticket loan, and retail discounts o Structured professional and personal development programmes o Opportunities for cross-border exposure and pro bono participation · A progressive, inclusive culture committed to diversity, collaboration, and wellbeing Apply Now For more information or to apply, please submit your CV to Donna Jones along with a brief cover note outlining your education-sector employment experience and interest in this role.