Deputy Head of Legal (Employment, Litigation and Regulatory)

Deputy Head of Legal (Employment, Litigation and Regulatory)

£68,525 per annum

UKRI Band G

Full Time

Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Hybrid Working available)

Closing date: 3rd August 2025

Interview Dates: Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st August 2025

Job Overview

Role and Responsibilities

You will work within the UKRI legal team and report to the UKRI Legal Director and General Counsel. You will have responsibility for ensuring effective provision of sound, pragmatic and business-focused legal advice on the full spectrum of employment law issues. This will range from day-to-day advice to HR staff and senior leaders on casework, including advice on equality law issues, whistleblowing and grievance matters; to advice on wider employment projects and policies affecting the organisation.

You should be experienced in running and advising on employment litigation ranging from breach of contract and unfair dismissal cases through to complex discrimination and whistleblowing cases. You will be responsible for managing relationships with external law firms and Counsel and engaging other external experts where necessary.

In addition, you will manage a small team of lawyers who advise on employment law, regulatory law, data protection and litigation and you should be an experienced line manager. You will also be part of the Legal Senior Leadership Team and have joint responsibility for overall matters affecting the legal function such as training and professional compliance.

About you

Person Specification

(S) – Shortlisting Criteria (I) – Interview Criteria (S & I) - Shortlisting Criteria & Interview Criteria

Essential

Academic Qualifications

Minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in your first degree ( in any subject) or equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement where satisfactory evidence can be provided (e.g. via relevant experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GLD)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)). Where an overseas degree qualification is held, this should be equivalent to a 2:1 degree. (S)

Professional Qualifications

• Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales (S)

Person Specification

1. Skilled and experienced employment lawyer with the ability to understand public sector policy drivers and work effectively within the statutory framework applicable to a non-departmental public body (S&I)
2. Demonstrable technical aptitude and strong experience of advising clients at a senior level, acting as trusted advisor (I)
3. The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly (I)
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence and work collaboratively (I)
5. 'Can-do' individual who is self-motivated and able to plan and manage a varied workload, meeting deadlines and effectively prioritising and managing competing demands (I)
6. Demonstrable leadership and line management experience and the ability to provide effective quality assurance of the team’s legal advice on employment, litigation and regulatory matters (S&I)

To view the full job description please click apply and visit our careers page

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below;

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
• 30 days’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
• Flexible working options

Please click here for more details on the Benefits of working for UKRI – UKRI

How to Apply

Applicants are required to provide an up-to-date CV and a cover letter outlining their suitability for the role. Further information on how to apply is listed on our careers page