Legal Counsel, Employment Litigation

We have a fantastic new opportunity for a Legal Counsel, Employment Litigation to join our Legal, Regulatory Affairs, Ethics & Compliance, and Secretariat Function (LRECS). LRECS focusses on providing a diverse and inclusive environment with a strong emphasis on wellbeing and delivering opportunities for growth and personal development.

This is a new role created primarily to manage and run the Employment Tribunal claims arising from the Centrica Group companies in the UK. It will form part of an existing team of 3 Employment Lawyers who deliver commercially focused, risk-based specialist employment advice to all UK business units and group functions across the Centrica group.

Location: With our Flexible First working arrangements we empower our colleagues to work in a way that best suits them - meaning location doesn't need to be a barrier. The successful candidate will, however, need to be comfortable commuting to our Windsor office on a weekly basis and on some occasions, more frequently.

What will you do?

Identify and co-ordinate the implementation of systems/processes and creation of precedents needed to undertake employment litigation in-house (Note: currently our claims are all outsourced to our external advisers).
Be the subject matter expert on Employment Tribunal litigation, maintaining a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules.
Manage and deliver all aspects of Centrica's response to Employment Tribunal claims, such as drafting pleadings and witness statements, managing disclosure, preparing risk assessments, making appropriate applications, preparing for preliminary hearings, final hearings and Judicial Mediations, negotiating settlement of claims as appropriate, liaising with Centrica's Employee Relations team and managers, instructing and liaising with Counsel for hearings.
Build and manage relationships with Counsel's Chambers and seek to negotiate advantageous rates.
Explore and keep track of relevant AI developments and actively participate in any LRECS trials of AI tools.

Here's what we're looking for:

A Qualified solicitor with a UK or equivalent practicing certificate with significant relevant PQE experience.
Thorough and up to date knowledge and understanding of the UK Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules and significant experience of running Employment Tribunal claims in the UK, either in private practice or in-house.
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal principles to a variety of internal stakeholders.
A strong team-player with the ability to be effective working alone and at pace, with competing deadlines.
Confident and effective stakeholder management and ability to work effectively with the other Employment lawyers, the Employee Relations team and business leaders as well as nervous witnesses.
Excellent presentation skills with the willingness to deliver training.

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