Senior Associate - Employment, Pensions & Immigration

Location: Guildford (hybrid role office based 2-3 days per week)Practice Area: EmploymentSalary: c78.5K plus profit share, bonuses and extensive benefits package

Role & Responsibilities

You will play a senior role within a growing and collaborative team of employment, pensions, and immigration professionals, working across a mix of complex employment work for predominantly employer clients, including household names and high-profile corporates.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising on the full spectrum of employment law, including restructures, redundancy, disciplinary, grievances, and senior departures
• Supporting on corporate deals, providing commercial and pragmatic employment law advice in the context of M&A, joint ventures, and outsourcing
• Drafting and negotiating a range of employment documentation, including contracts, policies, and settlement agreements
• Representing clients in tribunals and court proceedings, and handling mediation or pre-action disputes
• Advising directors and senior individuals on their exit arrangements and post-termination obligations
• Collaborating with pensions and immigration specialists on cross-disciplinary matters
• Participating in business development, marketing initiatives, client seminars, and thought leadership
• Taking ownership of client relationships and contributing to team leadership and mentoring junior colleagues

Youll benefit from a flexible working model (typically 23 days in office per week) and the option of part-time workingmany lawyers in the team currently work four-day weeks.

Qualifications:

Key Requirements

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Employment Associate with a strong background in contentious and non-contentious employment matters. This is an exciting opportunity to join our highly regarded Employment, Pensions & Immigration Team, consistently ranked among the best in the region.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

• At least 5 years PQE (we may consider candidates slightly above or below this range in exceptional cases)
• A strong track record in advising employers on a wide variety of HR and employment law matters
• Experience of employment litigation, dispute resolution, and tribunal proceedings
• Experience advising senior executives on exits, terminations, and settlement agreements
• Familiarity with providing employment support on M&A and corporate transactions
• Excellent drafting skills, technical accuracy, and commercial awareness
• A high level of responsiveness, reliability, and interpersonal communication skills
• An interest in business development and the ability to nurture strong client relationships
• Strong academics and a commitment to delivering client service excellence

Desirable (not essential):

• Experience advising on TUPE and drafting TUPE clauses
• Knowledge of employment agency regulations and agency worker compliance
• Exposure to business immigration and right to work compliance
• Familiarity with pensions issues or regulatory employment matters in the financial services sector

Why is This a Great Opportunity:

Firm Overview

You will join a firm that combines professional excellence with a truly supportive and inclusive culture. Recognised in The Times Best Law Firms 2024, we offer a workplace where collaboration, inclusion, and progression are actively encouraged.

Recent accolades include:

- Shortlisted Women, Influence & Power in Law UK 2024

- Highly Commended Legal Business Awards 2023 & SLS Legal Awards 2023

- Shortlisted The British Legal Awards 2023 & The Lawyer Awards 2023

- Office awarded RICS SKA Silver Certification and Fitwel 2 Star Accreditation

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, with recognised initiatives that foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Flexible Working

We offer agile and hybrid working options, recognising the importance of flexibility for maintaining a positive work-life balance.

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