Associate - Employment - 1-5 PQE

We are Eversheds Sutherland, a global law firm, with more than 5,000 people across over 30 countries. We’re full-service with deep niche and sector experience. Whatever challenge, wherever in the world, we’re equipped and ready to meet it. We live our values, we’re purposeful and purpose-led. So although the world is fast-moving and rapidly changing, we see it as a place where everyone can thrive. We’re ambitious for our clients, our communities – and for you. Whether you’re starting out on your career or well established, whether you’re a lawyer or in business services. If you’re looking for what’s next, we are too.

What to expect

As a lawyer, you enjoy a variety of work: regional to international and across practice groups. With us, you grow your global mindset. You’re encouraged to put ideas into action and there’s always something new and different to get involved in. We see the fast-moving world as a place where we can all thrive and succeed. We’re excited for what’s next, so with us, you can be too.

Our team

The Eversheds Sutherland Global Employment, Labor and Pensions practice is highly respected in many of the markets in which we deliver our service. This strong reputation is illustrated by our consistent representation in global directory rankings. Our lawyers are at the forefront of their fields in terms of technical knowledge and subject matter. As we build on our success, we look to position the Employment, Labor and Pensions team as a top global provider. To help us to achieve this we place great importance in the recruitment of our people and developing exceptionally talented, ambitious lawyers across all of our offices through our one team approach.

Our aim is to invest in a diverse and inclusive team, developing our lawyers so they maximise their potential. We are passionate our people and from the day you join we will help you to maximise your potential and achieve your ambitions.

We provide multijurisdictional employment services for some of the largest and best known employers in the world. The majority of our employment work is a mixture of standalone advice, and transactional support. Our mix of generalists and subject matter specialists means there are very few – if any – issues that we haven’t helped resolve for our clients.

Role and key responsibilities

The UK education sector employs around 1.5m staff and is the second largest employer in the UK, generating an estimated £95bn for the UK economy. It is the UK’s fifth most valuable export, estimated to be worth £35bn by 2030. As such, the sector presents a wealth of exciting opportunities for employment lawyers.

As the leading provider of legal services to the education sector, Eversheds Sutherland’s education sector group is uniquely placed to provide access to these opportunities. Listed as number one in the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 legal directories, our education team of over 60 specialist education lawyers is dedicated to finding solutions for the legal challenges faced by higher and further education institutions, private sector bodies, schools and academies. Manchester is a centre of excellence for our education employment team and acts for a broad range of high profile, national and international education clients.

We are seeking a 1-5 years PQE employment solicitor to join our Manchester employment team, to provide employment law advice and support to our education sector client base.

In this role, you will be expected to:

– Liaise directly with a range of local, national and international education clients

– Manage an Employment Tribunal caseload for education sector clients and provide advice on HR case work, including disciplinary and grievance matters

– Work on a broad range of non-contentious employment matters, including staffing elements of transactions and restructures, international employment issues, industrial relations and IR issues, senior terminations, equality and discrimination issues and policy/contract work

– Lead and support sector-focused business development initiatives including client training and campaigns.

Whilst you will be working with education sector clients, you will form an integral part of a broader team of specialist Employment solicitors which works with clients across a range of sectors and work streams. Whilst a supportive and structured approach will be given to supervision, knowledge management and personal development, we expect all our team members to possess a 'can do' approach to their workload.

Skills and experience

You should be a team player, client focused and a good communicator with a strong practical and commercial approach to your workload and advice to clients.

You should have experience of running an Employment Tribunal case load and be familiar with all aspects of the Tribunal process.

Some prior experience of advising education sector employers is desirable, but not essential.

What’s in it for you?

At Eversheds Sutherland, we provide benefits focused on looking after you: your development, your performance, your financial future and your health, as well as providing the opportunity to make a contribution to the world.

– We’re fair, transparent and equitable

– We share in the success of the firm, reward alignment to our values, going above and beyond and your individual performance

– We support flexible ways of working through our remote working policy and commitment to flexible, agile and hybrid ways of working

– We support your health and performance through our dental, healthcare and wellness support

– We support everything you are and all you bring through our powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion

– We provide a platform for your career, whatever your ambitions through our structured professional and personal training, mentoring and development programs

– We provide experience and opportunity through international and cross-function exposure

– We provide an opportunity to give back through our pro bono work and community engagement

– We help you plan ahead through retirement planning, insurance and assurance

Diversity & Inclusion

At Eversheds Sutherland, “Inclusive” is a core business value. We bring together different skillsets, global mindsets and approaches. We foster diversity of thought and the freedom to put ideas into action. We have an inherent respect for the individual. We have a strong belief in collaboration and teamwork. Sharing ideas, asking questions, solving challenges and meeting our clients’ goals: together.

We want all our people to thrive at work and reach their full potential and we work hard to continue to build a diverse and inclusive culture, monitor and report on our progress and impact, and develop our approach. This is reflected in our policies, systems and processes, and in our work with diversity membership organisations.

Many of our people work flexibly in some way and we are open to considering how we can accommodate flexible working arrangements alongside role requirements. If this is important to you, please talk to us about it during the recruitment process.

We want you to perform at your best during our recruitment process. If there is any adjustment or support you need, please contact us so we can discuss how we can best assist you.

For you,

For your success.

And what's next.