Senior Legal Counsel

The team: The employment legal team sits within a full-service legal department made up of lawyers specialising in corporate, M&A, commercial, IP, technology, property, media, compliance and data protection law. We are a collaborative department and you will have the opportunity to work on an extremely broad range of matters across all parts of the business, gaining challenging and quality  experience. 

Your role: You will work with a Legal Director and Legal Counsel to provide employment legal services to colleagues in the HR department and directly to leaders/managers across the business.  The ability to work at pace and manage many competing priorities at once is important but the team demonstrates and values flexibility.   

Day to day: 

• You will work in partnership with colleagues in the HR department, advising them and the business on various employee relations matters such as grievance and disciplinary processes, performance management, contractual issues, employment status, sickness absence management and the  application of company policies. You will also advise on diversity and inclusion matters and a variety of other ad hoc queries as they arise. 

• Draft and negotiate contracts, e.g. settlement agreements, independent contractor agreements and apprenticeship training supplier agreements

• Assist with commercial contracts and corporate transactions, including advising on  TUPE transfers, conducting due diligence and drafting contractual provisions on employment matters

• Work with the HR team to review and update policies and precedents and assist with the development of new policies/precedents when needed

• Have the opportunity to assist with employment litigation, training and providing key legal updates to the business and the HR team

• Carry out legal research and be responsible for maintaining internal and intra-group risk registers

• You will draft, review and negotiate talent and retainer contracts and have involvement in conducting tax status assessments for our independent contractor population, in collaboration with our Tax team.
  

What we’re looking for from you:   

• A qualified solicitor (able to practise in England and Wales) with experience in a quality private practice employment department and ideally in-house experience (including secondments)

• Strong PQE with comprehensive knowledge of UK employment law and best practice and are confident advising independently

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey legal advice clearly and concisely in a commercial context

• A methodical approach to work, with a strong focus on accuracy and quality

• Someone who demonstrates natural interpersonal skills and a positive, collaborative approach to working with colleagues at all levels across the business

• A dynamic and agile person; able to work to deadlines and prioritise tasks in a demanding commercial environment

• To exercise tact and diplomacy within the organisation and carry out all responsibilities in a way which supports the company’s values and promotes high ethical standards.

If you think you have what it takes but don’t tick every requirement on the list, please do apply. We recognise that considering someone’s potential as well as their experience is a great way to hire. We want to hear from people who have a passion to learn and develop, and we are open to both full time and part time working arrangements for this role.

Benefits

Some of our benefits include:

• Private medical insurance including coverage for pre-existing conditions

• Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly in person/ virtual exercise classes

• ‘Bikes for Work’ and ‘Electric Car’ scheme

• Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books

• Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary & paternity leave up to 2 weeks

• Access to exclusive events and competitions with exciting brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK & The Times. Weekly virtual panel chats with top journalists and celebrities

• Access to wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling

• A generous pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%

• Wide range of training available, plus full LinkedIn Learning access

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, as well as an extra anniversary day off

• Up to 3 paid volunteering days per year to support causes you care about.

We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. If you require reasonable adjustments due to a disability or health condition at any stage of your application or interview, please let us know. You can contact us at careers@news.co.uk to discuss how we can support you to perform at your best.

Please CLICK HERE to see this role on our own website, and apply.

Closing date: 26th October 2026.