Job Description
Optical Express is the UK’s leading provider of laser eye surgery, lens replacement, and private eyecare services. With a nationwide network of clinics and over a thousand of employees, we are committed to delivering exceptional patient care supported by robust legal, ethical, and operational standards.
As our organisation continues to grow, we are seeking a skilled Employment Lawyer to join our in‑house legal team.
Role Overview
The Employment Lawyer will act as a key legal advisor to the business on all employment law matters, providing high-quality, timely, and commercially focused legal support across the organisation. The role will involve advising on both contentious and non-contentious employment issues, supporting HR with policy development, managing litigation risk, and ensuring the company’s people practices remain compliant with UK employment legislation.
This role is suited to a confident, pragmatic lawyer with a minimum of 5 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE) in employment law, ideally gained across a combination of private practice and in-house environments.
Key Responsibilities
Advisory & Compliance
* Provide expert legal advice on a wide range of employment law matters, including disciplinary and grievance issues, absence management, discrimination, TUPE, redundancy, performance management, and employee relations.
* Partner with HR and operational teams to interpret legal obligations and embed best practice people management.
* Draft, review, and maintain employment contracts, HR policies, handbooks, and related documentation.
* Monitor developments in employment legislation and case law, ensuring the business remains compliant and informed.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
* Manage Employment Tribunal claims from instruction through to resolution, including drafting pleadings, preparing witness statements, liaising with external counsel, and supporting hearings as required.
* Work proactively with stakeholders to identify legal risk, resolve disputes early, and minimise exposure.
Projects & Strategic Support
* Provide legal input into strategic HR initiatives, including organisational restructures, TUPE transfers, change programmes, and employee engagement projects.
* Deliver training and legal updates to HR teams and managers.
* Support senior leadership with complex, sensitive, or high-risk people matters.
Corporate & Commercial Support
* Advise on employment aspects of commercial agreements, consultancy arrangements, and third-party relationships.
* Support due diligence and integration activity linked to acquisitions, partnerships, or wider business development.
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
* Qualified Solicitor in Scotland, or England & Wales with a willingness to advise on Scottish employment law (with support where required).
* Minimum of 5 years’ PQE specialising in Employment Law.
* Strong technical expertise across contentious and non-contentious matters.
* Proven experience managing Employment Tribunal litigation.
* Commercially minded with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
* Excellent drafting skills and high attention to detail.
* Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
* Willingness to travel across the UK as required.
Desirable
* Previous in-house experience, particularly within healthcare, retail, or large multi-site organisations.
* Experience delivering training or presenting complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
* Working knowledge of data protection and privacy issues in the employment context.
Personal Attributes
* Pragmatic and solutions-focused with a strong commercial mindset.
* Confident, credible, and able to influence at senior levels.
* Resilient and discreet, with high levels of professionalism and integrity.
* Proactive, self-motivated, and comfortable working autonomously within a busy in-house environment.
What We Offer
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* Opportunities for ongoing professional development.
* A supportive in‑house legal team within a dynamic and growing business.