Your newpany
You will be joining a large, well‑established public sector legal service providing specialist legal support to multiple local authorities and wider public bodies across Manchester. The service works closely with senior officers, elected members and partner organisations to support effective policy,ernance and decision‑making. The team is known for handling high‑profile,plex and politically sensitive matters, offering a collaborative and professional environment where high‑quality legal advice is central to organisational success. This role sits within a supportive Legal Services Department and is offered on a maternity cover contract, initially for three months with a strong likelihood of extension.
Your new role
As a Senior Employment Lawyer, you will act as a subject matter expert within Employment Law, managing a broad range of contentious and non‑contentious employment matters with a high degree of autonomy.
Your responsibilities will include:
1. Managingplex Employment Tribunal claims, from ET3 drafting through to final hearing
2. Preparing cases for hearing and attending Tribunal hearings in person and via CVP
3. Dealing with interim applications and undertaking advocacy at interim hearings
4. Advising on and managing Early Conciliation matters
5. Providing clear, pragmatic employment law advice to officers and key stakeholders
6. Managing a personal caseload of high‑value, sensitive andplex matters
7. Supporting and, where appropriate, providing guidance to junior colleagues
8. Working collaboratively across services to support effective, lawful and timely decision‑making
The role is full‑time (35 hours per week). Office attendance will be expected for the first couple of weeks, followed by mainly remote working, with availability to attend final hearings as required.
What you'll need to succeed
To be successful in this position, you will have:
9. You must be a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX Lawyer
10. At least 3 years’ PQE in Employment Law
11. Proven experience handlingplex Employment Tribunal litigation
12. Strong knowledge of employment legislation, Tribunal procedure and civil procedure rules
13. The ability to pick upplex matters quickly and work with minimal supervision
14. Experience drafting pleadings, legal advice, instructions to Counsel and court documentation
15. Confidence undertaking advocacy at interim hearings
16. Experience in a local authority or wider public sector environment (desirable)
17. Strong stakeholder management skills and political awareness