Job Description
Locations - Cheltenham, ManchesterSalary - £66,581, plus £3,030 concessionary paymentFlexible working: Although this is a full-time role, we support flexible andcompressed hours and welcome job share applications. This is an office-based rolewith limited opportunities for home working. Occasional travel between Cheltenham,Manchester and London will be required.About us GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber, and security agency with a mission to keep the UKsafe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity, and partnerships to identify,analyse, and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners, MI5 and MI6, weprotect the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks, and espionage. At GCHQ, you’ll dovaried and fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment thatemphasises teamwork.The roleAs an Employment Lawyer within GCHQ’s Legal Directorate, you’ll provide expertadvice on employment law in a fast-paced and highly sensitive environment.Working at the heart of national security, you’ll help shape decisions that impact ourpeople and our mission, managing a varied workload that spans casework, policyand litigation.Joining a small, collaborative team based in Cheltenham or Manchester, you’ll workclosely with HR and Security colleagues, as well as lawyers from the otherintelligence agencies, to deliver clear, well-considered advice on complexemployment issues. From handling litigation to advising on security-related matters,your work will be intellectually challenging and often time-critical, requiring precisionand adaptability.You’ll develop your expertise through exposure to diverse legal work and structuredtraining opportunities, taking on more complex matters as your experience grows.While much of your role will be office-based, you’ll collaborate across locations anddisciplines, contributing to cross-agency projects and helping embed best practiceacross the organisation. Whether you’re drafting detailed advice, supporting investigations, delivering trainingor shaping policy, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring our employment practices remainrobust, fair and aligned with national security priorities. This is a role that offersopportunities for professional growth and progression within a supportive,experienced and collaborative team.About you
You’ll need to be a qualified solicitor or barrister/advocate in England and Wales,Scotland or Northern Ireland with at least three years’ post-qualification experiencein employment law. You’ll bring excellent legal judgement, strong analytical skills andthe ability to provide clear, practical advice in a fast-paced, high impact environment.With experience of managing a varied employment law workload, you’ll be confidentworking under pressure to meet tight deadlines. Proactive and motivated with theability to pick up new areas of law quickly, you’ll combine technical expertise withcreativity, offering risk-based solutions that balance legal requirements withoperational needs.You’ll work closely with HR and Security teams, as well as lawyers from otheragencies, so strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships acrossdisciplines are essential. You’ll be comfortable explaining complex legal concepts ina clear, accessible way to non-specialist audiences.Training and developmentFrom the moment you join, you’ll be allocated a buddy and supported by a structuredinduction that introduces you to your team, your role and the wider organisation.You’ll take part in a formal onboarding programme and a bespoke induction into theEmployment Law team, helping you build confidence and clarity as you settle in.You’ll have a wide range of learning opportunities, from on-the-job training and peersupport to formal courses delivered through the Government Legal Profession.Whether you’re refining your expertise in employment law or exploring new areassuch as security-related legal issues, you’ll be encouraged to shape your owndevelopment journey.We’ll also support you in attending the annual Legal Induction course and provideaccess to the Legal Information Online Network, which offers government trainingpackages and bespoke sessions from external legal firms. Alongside this, you’llbenefit from regularly sharing knowledge and best practice across teams.