The role
About Southwark
Southwark is a large, ambitious and progressive council with a ‘can do’ attitude and enviable reputation. As a Council, we are successful, passionate and forward-thinking. We are committed to our ‘Fairer Futures for All’ promise which ensures that our residents and businesses are central to everything we do. If you want to make a difference at a local level, apply to Southwark Council today.
The Role:
The council has a large and diverse workforce of over 4000 employees including school-based staff. This is an excellent opportunity to broaden your knowledge and skills working in our large, Lexcel accredited Legal Team which plays a crucial role supporting the council’s objectives by providing the full range and variety of expert services across all areas of the Council’s work.
You will work collaboratively with the Specialist Employment lawyer, other lawyers in the team and the Council’s HR department to deliver employment contract advice and litigation services to the council’s departments on a range of issues covering public sector employment law and related legal work. You will also work with lawyers in other legal teams on cross cutting issues. You will have conduct of a varied caseload that you will be able to manage with minimal day- to- day supervision, although you will be fully supported by the Specialist lawyer. The work encompasses the full range of contentious and non-contentious employment law services including: drafting pleadings, statements and other legal documents, attending employment tribunals and case conferences; advising on internal disciplinary, grievance, sickness and capability procedures; TUPE; recruitment and dismissal; discrimination; child safeguarding law and procedure.
Location:
This is a full time, permanent role based in council offices at London Bridge with the ability for some remote working.
About You:
You will be a qualified solicitor, barrister or legal executive with at least 3 years post qualification experience. You will have substantial knowledge and experience of employment law and litigation, policy and procedure. You will be experienced in confidently working with clients at all levels, and delivering legally sound, high quality, solutions based advice. You will also have a knowledge of local government law, and how it influences the work of the team. You will be able to quickly get up to speed with new law and policy and apply it effectively when giving advice to clients and supporting your colleagues. You will have excellent time management skills, understand the political sensitivities of the work and be aware of the impact your advice could have for both the council and the communities we serve. You will need to be able to develop good working relationships with people both inside and outside the council and explain legal concepts clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, tailored appropriately to your audience.
Selection Process:
Will be by formal office based interview and assessments.
Additional Information:
Please note there is a market factor payment of 5% of salary + hard to fill payment of £2,327 package which can be redeemed against gym membership, health insurance, season ticket purchase, bicycle purchase, additional voluntary contribution to pension, subscription and professional fees.
Benefits and more information:
https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/
Recruitment timetable
Application closing date for: 11:59 PM on 27 November 2022
Interviews and Assessments: From 13 December 2022
We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.
SWC1
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