Overview
Senior Legal Counsel - Employment at Ocado Group. The Employment and Immigration Law team sits within the Legal & Business Integrity Department and is managed by the Head of Legal - Dispute Resolution and Employment. The role provides crucial legal guidance on employment matters across Ocado Group's global operations and acts as the go‑to expert for all aspects of employment law in the UK and internationally.
We are looking for a true partner who can collaborate with teams at all levels, help navigate legal complexities, resolve disputes, and support sustainable growth.
Accountabilities / Responsibilities
* Advising senior stakeholders across the business on legal risks and providing commercially focused solutions.
* Being a trusted strategic partner for key stakeholders, ensuring legal advice is provided at the right stage on all matters.
* Managing complex employee relations matters such as internal investigations, disciplinary matters or grievances.
* Partnering with key stakeholders on works council and collective employee relations issues.
* Running employment litigation and supervising/managing junior team members with day‑to‑day queries on Tribunal claims.
* Supporting and/or project managing relevant change projects and initiatives across the business, reporting progress to relevant stakeholders.
* Advising on the employment law aspects of commercial contracts and M&A activity.
* Advising on the creation and implementation of people policies.
* Providing legal training and updates to People teams.
* liaising with external counsel to ensure consistent, practical and commercial legal advice across global operations.
* Proactively advising on legal changes that could impact operations.
* Providing support to the People team on all employment matters including complex investigations, grievances and disciplinary matters.
* Supporting the development of junior team members by mentoring and coaching.
* Partnering with the data privacy team on employment‑related aspects of data protection (e.g., complex Subject Access Requests).
* Advising on employee incentive programmes (including share schemes) and benefits.
Qualifications
* Qualified solicitor or barrister with 5 to 7 years PQE in UK employment law (candidates outside this range who can perform the duties will be considered).
* Ideally trained with a leading law firm or a respected in‑house team with a balance of contentious and non‑contentious experience.
* Experience advising on employment law outside the UK, with a desire to develop expertise in this area; strong academic qualifications.
Preferred (in addition to minimum)
* Previous experience within an in‑house legal team.
* Management experience.
* Experience working with technology organisations and/or engineering is valued.
* Experience in advising on commercial disputes, or willingness to learn.
* Knowledge of UK immigration rules and right to work requirements (or willingness to learn).
What We Offer
* 30 days to work from anywhere in the world
* Wellbeing support through apps and an Employee Assistance Programme
* 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after 5 years (plus optional holiday purchase)
* Pension scheme (employer contribution matching up to 7%)
* Generous Private Medical Insurance
* Income Protection and Life Assurance
* Parental leave: 22 weeks maternity, 6 weeks paternity
* Train Ticket loan
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* Shuttle services to offices
* Share schemes: Sharesave and Buy as You Earn
* Discount on Ocado.com and free delivery for employees (within the first month)
Job location: Hatfield, United Kingdom (and other UK locations as applicable). This is a full‑time role.
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