Senior Associate – Employment & Pensions

An established, nationally recognised law firm is looking to appoint a Senior Associate to join its highly regarded Employment & Pensions team, based in London.

The Firm

This is a long-standing, full-service UK firm with a strong reputation across a number of specialist sectors. It is consistently ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers and is particularly well known for its work within the social housing sector, alongside advising corporate employers, private developers, care and support providers, and investment organisations.

The firm has grown significantly in recent years, with a national presence and a collaborative, sector-focused approach.

The Team

The Employment & Pensions team acts for a substantial client base across England and Wales, including over 200 registered providers of social housing as well as an increasing number of corporate clients. The team advises on the full spectrum of employment and pensions matters, providing pragmatic and commercially focused advice. The department is ranked in both Legal 500 and Chambers.

This role represents a genuine opportunity for a senior lawyer to take on a visible position within the team, with scope to supervise more junior lawyers, deepen sector expertise and contribute meaningfully to strategic client development.

The Role

You will manage a broad and complex caseload of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, acting predominantly for employers. The role will involve a high level of client contact and responsibility, as well as supporting partners on strategic and high-value matters.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Managing a varied caseload independently, including complex and sensitive matters

• Advising on disciplinaries, grievances, sickness absence, performance management and dismissals

• Advising on TUPE, outsourcing and large-scale restructures

• Conducting Employment Tribunal litigation through to hearing, including advocacy where appropriate

• Drafting and negotiating settlement agreements (employer and employee)

• Advising on industrial relations issues and strike action

• Supporting corporate transactions and projects with employment and pensions input, including due diligence

• Delivering client training and seminars on employment law developments

• Supervising and mentoring junior team members

• Playing an active role in business development and strengthening client relationships

There is also scope to develop or enhance a specialism, particularly in pensions (including public sector and outsourcing-related arrangements), alongside maintaining a broad employment practice.

Candidate Profile

• 6+ years’ PQE as an Employment Solicitor (England & Wales qualified)

• Strong technical grounding in employment law, with experience handling complex matters

• Experience supervising or mentoring junior lawyers (desirable but not essential)

• Commercially astute with strong client management skills

• Confident managing deadlines and competing priorities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Willingness to travel to meet clients where required

Desirable experience includes:

• Pensions law, particularly in the context of outsourcing arrangements and public sector transfers

• Social housing sector knowledge

• Data protection issues in the employment context

• Conducting workplace investigations

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior employment lawyer seeking greater responsibility, sector specialism and involvement in strategic client relationships within a well-regarded and growing team.