Deputy Head of Legal (Employment, Litigation and Regulatory) Salary: £68,525 per annum Grade: G Contract Type: Open Ended Hours: Full Time Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Hybrid working available) Closing Date: 03 August 2025 Interview Date: Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st August 2025 About UKRI UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is an independent, non-departmental public body, bringing together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK, and Research England. UKRI works to maximise value from the UK Government's investment in research and innovation, with an allocation of £8.9 billion for the 2024-2025 financial year. UKRI's mission is to lead the overall strategic direction of research and innovation funding in the UK, pushing the frontiers of human knowledge, to deliver benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research and business-led innovation. UKRI's legal team are seeking to appoint a Deputy Head of Legal who is an expert in employment law and will lead the team providing employment, litigation and regulatory advice to the organisation. This post can be based in Swindon, or Harwell. Periodic travel to other UKRI locations where the legal team and key clients are based may also be required according to business needs. UKRI operates flexible working policies which include the opportunity to work partly from home. Applicants should be willing to attend an office location approximately once a week. Job Overview Role and Responsibilities You will work within the UKRI legal team and report to the UKRI Legal Director and General Counsel. You will have responsibility for ensuring effective provision of sound, pragmatic and business-focused legal advice on the full spectrum of employment law issues. This will range from day-to-day advice to HR staff and senior leaders on casework, including advice on equality law issues, whistleblowing and grievance matters; to advice on wider employment projects and policies affecting the organisation. You should be experienced in running and advising on employment litigation ranging from breach of contract and unfair dismissal cases through to complex discrimination and whistleblowing cases. You will be responsible for managing relationships with external law firms and Counsel and engaging other external experts where necessary. In addition, you will manage a small team of lawyers who advise on employment law, regulatory law, data protection and litigation and you should be an experienced line manager. You will also be part of the Legal Senior Leadership Team and have joint responsibility for overall matters affecting the legal function such as training and professional compliance. Person Specification (S) - Shortlisting Criteria (I) - Interview Criteria (S & I) - Shortlisting Criteria & Interview Criteria Essential Academic Qualifications Minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in your first degree ( in any subject) or equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement where satisfactory evidence can be provided (e.g. via relevant experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GLD)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)). Where an overseas degree qualification is held, this should be equivalent to a 2:1 degree. (S) Professional Qualifications Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales (S) Person Specification Skilled and experienced employment lawyer with the ability to understand public sector policy drivers and work effectively within the statutory framework applicable to a non-departmental public body (S&I) Demonstrable technical aptitude and strong experience of advising clients at a senior level, acting as trusted advisor (I) The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly (I) Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence and work collaboratively (I) 'Can-do' individual who is self-motivated and able to plan and manage a varied workload, meeting deadlines and effectively prioritising and managing competing demands (I) Demonstrable leadership and line management experience and the ability to provide effective quality assurance of the team's legal advice on employment, litigation and regulatory matters (S&I) Application Guidance: How to evidence the criteria: You are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in the cover letter to evidence your ability to meet the 'person specification' criteria in the job description. Cover letters should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum font size 11). For examples of the STAR method, please visit: The STAR method | National Careers Service '. Benefits We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below; An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent) Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice Flexible working options Please click here for more details on the Benefits of working for UKRI - UKRI UKRI - UK Research and Innovation UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.