Job Description Employment Litigation Solicitor Salary : £45,000 - £65,000 Location : Oldham Experience Level : 5 Years PQE Head, Nurture and Grow the Employment Department – Award-Winning Firm Are you an ambitious and driven Employment Litigation Solicitor looking to take the next step in your career? Our client, an award-winning full-service law firm based in Saddleworth and Uppermill, is seeking an experienced solicitor with 5 years' PQE to head, nurture, and grow their Employment Department in a role focusing on HR and Employment Law advice and Dispute Resolution. This is a unique opportunity to join an award-winning firm in a senior role with the opportunity to develop the department and with a clear pathway and career progression. The firm has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards including 2022 Winner - ESTAS Customer Service Awards (Conveyancer North West Silver Award), 2019 Winner - The LFS Conveyancing Awards (Small Conveyancing Firm of the Year), 2019 Shortlisted - The Law Society Excellence Awards, and 2018 Finalist - ML Awards (Law Firm of the Year - small, 1-5 partners nationally). If you're looking for a role where you can lead and develop an Employment Department, handle matters autonomously, work with a supportive and collaborative team, and build your career with a firm that truly values its people, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. The Firm Our client is an award-winning, full-service law firm with offices in Oldham, providing tailored legal services to meet individual client needs and circumstances. The firm approaches each matter with care, skill, and passion, delivering straight-talking advice to achieve cost-effective outcomes. The firm's hand-picked team of specialist solicitors allows them to deliver expert legal services across a wide range of practice areas. Taking a progressive approach to the way they operate, the firm utilises technology to enhance the speed in which they are able to deliver their service to clients. However, they also embrace traditional values of professionalism, hard work, and good communication; altogether helping to ensure an outstanding delivery of legal services. The firm holds a number of awards Winner - ESTAS Customer Service Awards Winner - The LFS Conveyancing Awards Shortlisted - The Law Society Excellence Awards Finalist - ML Awards (Law Firm of the Year The firm prides itself on being a friendly, approachable firm who act swiftly for their clients and provide 'straight-talking' legal advice. The firm has a loyal client base and is fortunate enough to receive many word-of-mouth recommendations. Clients expect efficiency and clear advice, and that is what the firm strives to deliver. The Role As an Employment Litigation Solicitor, you will head, nurture, and grow the Employment Department in a senior role focusing on HR and Employment Law advice and Dispute Resolution. This role offers the opportunity to develop the department with a clear pathway and career progression. You will be dealing with both employers and employees in potential claims both at ACAS stage and through to disposal in the Employment Tribunal, acting for both Applicant and Respondent. The role will involve handling matters autonomously and assisting the Commercial Litigation and Corporate teams both in relation to Employment aspects including Due Diligence on Merger and Acquisition and TUPE. Your key responsibilities will include: Employment Tribunal Litigation: Dealing with both employers and employees in potential claims at ACAS stage and through to disposal in the Employment Tribunal Acting for both Applicant (employee) and Respondent (employer) Issuing and defending proceedings in the Employment Tribunal Dealing with interim hearings Seeing matters through to full disposal at trial Instructing Counsel where necessary Presenting facts, law, and strategies in a reasoned and persuasive manner both to opposition and to clients Negotiation and Settlement: Experience of negotiation through commercial settlement Dealing with Settlement of Claims both through ACAS Early Conciliation Drafting and advising on Settlement Agreements Able to quantify a potential claim Advising on costs and commercial considerations HR and Employment Law Advice: Drafting contracts of employment Drafting Service Agreements Drafting HR documents, policies, and procedures Advising employees and employers at early disciplinary stages as to due process Advising on grievance procedures Advising on redundancy processes Advising on TUPE transfers Advising on discrimination, harassment, and victimisation Advising on unfair dismissal, constructive unfair dismissal, and wrongful dismissal Advising on whistleblowing and protected disclosures Advising on post-termination restrictive covenants Corporate Support: Assisting the Commercial Litigation and Corporate teams in relation to Employment aspects Conducting Employment Due Diligence on Mergers and Acquisitions Advising on TUPE in corporate transactions Advising on employee transfers and employment liabilities in corporate deals Department Leadership: Heading, nurturing, and growing the Employment Department Developing the department and building the client base Clear pathway and career progression Opportunity to develop the department strategy and direction Building business relationships and generating new work About You Essential Requirements: Qualified Solicitor in England and Wales with current practising certificate 5 years' PQE in Employment Law and Employment Tribunal Litigation (essential) Experience dealing with both employers and employees (acting for both Applicant and Respondent) Experience of Employment Tribunal litigation from ACAS stage through to disposal at trial Experience issuing and defending proceedings in the Employment Tribunal Experience dealing with interim hearings and full trials Experience instructing Counsel where necessary Experience of negotiation through commercial settlement Experience dealing with Settlement of Claims both through ACAS and Settlement Agreements Able to quantify a potential claim Experience drafting contracts of employment, Service Agreements, and HR documents Experience advising employees and employers at early disciplinary stages as to due process Ability to handle matters autonomously Experience assisting with Employment aspects of corporate transactions (Due Diligence, M&A, TUPE) Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal Excellent command over legal and technical principles Ability to present facts, law, and strategies in a reasoned and persuasive manner both to opposition and to clients Keen sense of commercial awareness Good academics Ambitious individual with desire to head, nurture, and grow the Employment Department Ability to interact and build business relationships at all levels Committed to delivering exceptional client service Understanding of SRA requirements and compliance Desirable: Experience in a full-service law firm environment Experience with TUPE in corporate transactions Experience conducting Employment Due Diligence on Mergers and Acquisitions Business development experience or interest Experience supervising or mentoring junior team members Experience with mediation and alternative dispute resolution Knowledge of local employment market in Greater Manchester/Lancashire area Key Attributes: Ambitious and driven with desire to develop the Employment Department Excellent communicator who can interact and build business relationships at all levels Keen sense of commercial awareness Strong technical knowledge combined with pragmatic approach Confident and persuasive advocate Client-focused with commitment to exceptional service delivery Highly organised with excellent time management skills Proactive and self-motivated approach to work Strong team player who thrives in a collaborative environment Adaptable and flexible approach to work Professional and personable manner Resilient and able to work under pressure Committed to continuous learning and development What's On Offer Our client is committed to recognising and rewarding great work, with a competitive salary and benefits package. Benefits include: Competitive salary: £45,000 - £65,000 (dependent on experience) Unique opportunity to head, nurture, and grow the Employment Department Senior role with clear pathway and career progression Award-winning firm Company pension Generous holiday allowance Additional days leave for your birthday each year Death in service policy based on 4 times salary Progressive approach utilising technology Friendly, approachable firm with loyal client base Stable and established firm with long-term career prospects Location This role is based in the firm's offices Oldham: How to Apply If you're an ambitious and driven Employment Litigation Solicitor with 5 years' PQE looking to head, nurture, and grow an Employment Department with an award-winning firm offering a clear pathway and career progression, we'd love to hear from you. Contact Lee Hawthorne-Finch: Email: lee.hawthorne-finch@h-fts.com Phone: 0333 996 2882