Employment Law Manager
29 days ago
London
We are seeking a qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive, to fill the post of Employment Law Manager. We also welcome applications from paralegals with 5 years experience who wish to qualify as a solicitor (England and Wales). You will be required to provide complex professional legal advice on employment law matters to our management team, national executive committee and members. Managing a team of junior colleagues and supporting their complex casework, you will advise on collective employment law matters and review first stage complaints. Salary and Location • Band 4, London Spine points 27-23 or Regional 30-26, • London starting salary: £53,726 p.a. rising to £61,115 p.a. in annual increments or Regional starting salary £49,663 p.a. rising to £56,081 p.a. in annual increments, • PCS London or Region Successful candidates for the Employment Law Manager will be able to demonstrate: • Proven experience in an employment law field, or qualified solicitor from any UK jurisdiction., • Experience in staff management, appraisals, and complaints handling., • Good communication and negotiation abilities., • Ability to prioritise and manage workloads., • Commitment to promoting equality and diversity in the workplace., • Ability to work collaboratively and manage legal issues., • Their commitment to the SRA Professional standards and behaviours. The main duties of the Employment Law Manager role include: • Delivering legal guidance and representation on employment law issues., • Providing supportive management for caseworker colleagues., • Conducting legal research, drafting advice, claims, and other legal documents., • Providing support to senior colleagues on more complex matters., • Advising the union on legal aspects of bargaining or campaigning matters. You will be committed to professional development, through training, appraisal and the use of technology, you will be able to show how you maintain and share your up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation. An understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions is essential. Closing date: at 12 midday on Monday 22 June 2026 Interviews will be held in person at PCS Clapham on 8 July 2026 and 9 July 2026 About PCS PCS is the Public and Commercial Services Union, representing many thousands of members working in the civil service and related areas. Employer Benefits You will have access to a generous package of staff benefits including • flexible working (including hybrid working), • childcare and family support, • generous maternity/paternity leave, • 32 days leave and Christmas closure, • pension scheme, • employee assistance programme Learning and Development The union offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. We will work with you to support your continued professional development. PCS Recruiting Process We use CVMinder to manage all recruitment activities. It helps us to maintain our commitment to equality and diversity by ensuring that we are fair and compliant with our recruiting practices. Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified. Candidates invited for interview are required to make themselves available on the date/s specified. Interview dates cannot be changed to accommodate candidates who are unavailable to attend on the specified date. • CVs will not be accepted. Please see the job description/person specification and follow the application process., • PCS is working towards equal opportunities and is positive about disabled people., • All posts can be considered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis. Please view our guidance for applicants. JOB DESCRIPTION: EMPLOYMENT LAW MANAGER Ref: 1026 Grade: Band 4, London or Region Salary: London Spine points 27- 23 London starting salary £53,726 p.a. rising to £61,115 p.a. Regional Spine points 30 - 26 Regional starting salary £49,663 p.a. rising to £56,081 p.a. Location: London/Region Purpose of the job: To deliver a professional legal advice, guidance, and representation on employment law matters to staff and members. To undertake a management role with direct responsibility for Employment Law Caseworker (B3) ( Paralegals) Responsible to: Band 5, National Officer Employment Law Responsible for: Band 3 Employment Law Caseworker (Senior Paralegals /Junior Lawyers) Contacts External: PCS Members, elected officials and potential members. Employers, Legal and other advisors. TUC, Members of other trade unions and related bodies. MPs, pressure groups, campaigning bodies and media. Internal: PCS Staff and managers across Regions, Senior Management Team, National Management Team and other PCS Departments. Main duties and responsibilities 1. Key areas • Undertake training to complete the SQE or specialism in employment law, • Assist in legal research into past cases and documents, • Draft and prepare claims or other legal documents, • Assist in providing legal advice to SMT, NEC, members, • Keep up to date with new developments in employment legislation, • Assist in providing employment law briefings to PCS staff about changes in employment legislation, • Advise members and Reps on wrongful termination and unfair dismissal claims, including reviewing dismissal procedures and advocating for members' rights, • Assist members and reps in cases of workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on factors such as age, gender, race, disability, or other protected characteristics, • Assist with the development of the Unions policy objectives including the PCS planning process, • Assist with leadership in delivering the unions Legal and Employment Rights strategy, • Provide assistance with the unions bargaining, organising, campaigning, equality, learning and digital agendas, • Manage people and resources in the Legal and Employment Rights Unit, • Provide advice to relevant committees including assisting in the preparation and presentation of reports, • Monitor and report on issues and initiatives as requested, • Assist with input into budgetary processes including bid preparation, monitoring and control where relevant 1. People Management • Manage work allocation and workflow, future planning and support for officer team/line manager, • Motivate and manage individuals and the team as a whole to provide a high standard of service, • Check work standards and maintain consistent quality of delegated tasks, • Seek to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the team, • Through induction, the appraisal system and one-to-ones, identify staff training and development needs, train or organise formal/informal training, • Proactively promote diversity in line with the wider PCS approach, • Apply the staff conduct policies as and when required e.g. discipline, grievance, capability, dignity at work and IT security policies, • Provide advice and deal with complex issues related to staff management including disciplinary or grievance in consultation with Line Manager, • Ensure that the health, safety and welfare of staff is maintained and improved, in accordance with PCS and statutory policies, • Work effectively with lay officials, • Deputise for Line Manager when required 1. Communication • Ensure digitalisation, information & communication methods are effectively implemented and used to generate improvements, • Draft complex communications including briefs and reports, • Communicate with members by assisting in the production of circulars and briefings, and by addressing meetings and conferences etc, • As necessary, represent PCS and liaise with outside bodies 1. Casework Management • Advise in the handling of personal casework, • Liaise with solicitors, internal and external bodies on the handling of personal casework, • Represent PCS or PCS members at official bodies such as employment tribunals, Civil Service Appeal Board, etc., • Maintain and improve own knowledge of the developments in employment law and practice 1. Team Working • Proactively promote team working, • Initiate, organise, lead and participate in team meetings as appropriate, • Maintain high levels of confidentiality of sensitive issues at all times, • Provide assistance to team members 1. Equality • Contribute to PCS policies on equal opportunities by developing innovative workplace strategies to tackle inequality and discrimination 1. General • Participate and input information into PCS planning and budgeting processes, • At all times implement and promote the PCSs equal opportunities policy and adhere to the PCS Values, • Take due and reasonable care of self and others in respect of health and safety at work, • Participate in appraisal, training and development systems, • Act in a manner that enhances the work of the PCS and its overall public image, • In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and PCSs requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals, • Staff at this grade may be assigned or transferred to posts within grade. A training & development programme will be provided to assist with this, where required such other duties that may reasonably be required and that are within the level of the responsibility of this post, • Willing to work outside normal office hours and location on occasion (e.g. attendance at Annual Delegate Conference, where required) Person Specification: EMPLOYMENT LAW MANAGER Ref:1026 Date: May 2026 Location: London/Region ESSENTIAL FACTORS QUALIFICATIONS • Newly qualified Solicitor/Legal Executive/Qualifying law degree OR 5 years experience in an employment law related role EXPERIENCE • Employment law and legal management, including advocacy and representation, • People management including induction, work allocation, appraisal and conduct, • Leading committees and teams, • Industrial relations and negotiations, • Project management, problem solving and decision making TRAINING (including continuous professional development) • Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development, • Commitment to undertake job-related training, • Commitment to participation in appraisal and development review process, • Commitment to staff development KNOWLEDGE • Understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions, • Employment rights, equality legislation, discrimination law and working practices, • Impact and use of Digital and IT applications in a trade union SKILLS • Ability to communicate effectively using written and oral channels, including reports and presentations, with a variety of audiences, • Ability to negotiate and form effective working relationships internally and externally, • Ability to work collaboratively and manage complex legal issues, • Ability to identify and set standards and priorities, • Ability to provide timely advice and guidance OTHER • Commitment to the application of Equal Opportunities policies and practices at work, • Understanding of own role in maintaining legal compliances within PCS (e.g. data protection; health and safety), • Flexible approach to work and willing to work outside of normal office hours and location on occasions
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