Associate General Counsel - Employment

At Smiths we apply leading-edge technology to design, manufacture and deliver smarter engineering solutions for mission-critical applications, solving some of the world's toughest problems for our customers, our communities and our world. We are a FTSE100, global business of around 15,000 colleagues, based in 50 countries. Our solutions have a real impact on lives across the planet, enabling industry, improving healthcare, enhancing security, advancing connectivity, and supporting new homes. Our products and services are often critical to our customers’ operations, while our proprietary technology and high service levels help create competitive advantage. We welcome colleagues with a curious mind, who are happy with responsibility, enjoy a challenge and are attracted by the idea of working at a business with an almost 170-year history of innovation, and four global divisions, all experts in their field. 

The Associate General Counsel, Employment is a senior member of the Group Legal function and leads the Group’s employment and labour law central capability.

The role provides strategic, commercial and practical legal leadership on significant employment matters across the Group.  Reporting to the General Counsel, Corporate, M&A, and Strategic Projects, the Associate General Counsel, Employment works closely with the Legal and Communications Leadership Team, Group HR, Divisional Legal and Divisional HR Leadership and Divisional Legal to identify and manage employment law risk, support the Group’s People strategy and enable organisational and business changes.

The role leads on material, sensitive multi-jurisdictional employment matters (UK and internationally, except the U.S.), supporting HR globally, working closely with the General Counsel, Litigation, Divisional Legal and other Legal colleagues on material employment-related disputes and litigation matters. It also involves establishing good practice that enable Divisional Legal and HR teams to manage locally led matters compliantly and effectively. It has significant influence across the organisation and requires the ability to build personal credibility quickly, exercise sound judgement and bring clarity to complex or sensitive situations.

Strategic employment advice 

• Act as the Group’s dedicated legal specialist for employment and labour law, providing sound, risk-based and commercially practical advice to Group and Divisional stakeholders.
• Partner with Group HR and Legal colleagues in developing and implementing the Group’s People strategy, employment policies and relevant governance frameworks.
• Advise on significant workforce matters, including reorganisations, workforce transformation, consultation processes, executive employment matters and other complex organisational change.
• Identify emerging legal and regulatory developments and provide regular updates to Group HR and Legal on their implications for the Group.
• Support Group HR and Legal in delivering training and broader capability-building initiatives to enhance the knowledge, skills and effectiveness of team members.

Disputes and investigations

• Work closely with the General Counsel, Litigation to oversee or support material employment disputes and litigation.
• Support internal employment investigations and other sensitive employee matters including related, employee law and data privacy issues.  
• Develop appropriate employee dispute avoidance and mitigation strategies, including appropriate training, policies, and raising awareness.
• Work closely with the Legal, Ethics & Compliance team, HR and/or Divisional Legal on material employment-related Code of Ethics concerns and employee related investigations.
• Support the Director of Data Protection on Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs),other employee data rights requests and other data privacy matters relating to employment.

Employment Strategy, Risk & Capability

• Lead the employment-law workstream on complex cross-border projects, coordinating divisional teams and seeking support of external counsel where appropriate.
• Establish proportionate and consistent approaches to employment risk across the Group, while recognising local legal and operational requirements.
• Develop and update practical policies, guidance, templates, for Legal and HR business stakeholders, keeping the business aware of significant regulatory and legal changes in the main jurisdictions where Smiths operates, while leading training and supporting capability building initiatives for HR colleagues.
• Report material risks, developments and recommendations clearly to senior stakeholders and relevant governance forums.
• In all circumstances, manage and control the external legal budget using first internal resources where available.

M&A and business transformation

• Advise on the employment aspects of acquisitions, disposals, carve-outs, restructurings and other strategic transactions.
• Support employment due diligence, risk allocation, employee information and consultation, transaction documentation, and post-completion integration.
• Work collaboratively with the Group M&A and Group M&A Legal, Group HR, Group Reward, Divisional Legal and external counsel to deliver transaction objectives.

Reward, Governance and disclosure

• Advise Group HR and Group Reward on the development and implementation of material compensation, benefits and executive employment initiatives.
• Support efficient implementation and oversight on Equal Pay Transparency or equivalent with local HR teams impacted by regulatory changes
• Support the Governance team, Investor Relations, and other relevant teams on employment-related content for the Annual Report, public announcements, other external disclosures and change management having a Corporate Governance impact.

External counsel, budget and legal-service improvement

• Develop and manage the Group’s employment-law external counsel strategy, including panel relationships, matter allocation, service standards and fee arrangements.
• Manage the employment legal budget within the role’s remit, including forecasting, matter scoping, cost control and spend reporting.

This job description describes the principal accountabilities of the role but is not exhaustive as Smithsmay require the role holder to undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the role’s seniority, skills and experience.

Smiths is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to crafting an inclusive environment for all employees. PQE is indicative only. If you believe you have the relevant experience irrespective of PQE, or if you do not tick all the boxes in this job description, we want to hear from you.

Education Requirements

Law School, Bachelors Degree ,Qualified Law, A qualified English Solicitor or Barrister or equivalent.

Experience required

In house experience including employment litigation in an international business

Minimum 6+ PQE - English employment law expertise. Significant understanding of international employment law.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Strong technical knowledge and practical experience of contentious and non-contentious UK employment law
• Significant experience advising a complex international organisation on cross-border employment matters.
• Experience supporting material organisational change and multi-jurisdictional employment projects. 
• Ability to advise and influence senior HR, legal and business stakeholders. 
• Experience managing external counsel, legal budgets and competing priorities. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to provide concise and actionable advice on complex issues. 
• Sound judgement, discretion and the ability to remain calm and effective in sensitive or high-pressure situations. 
• Champions the effective and responsible use of Microsoft Co-Pilot and other approved generative AI to improve legal service delivery and business value
• Continuous Improvement mindset in relation to delivery of legal service.

Why Smiths?

• Be Part of Something Big: As we expand our footprint across APAC and MEA, you’ll play a key role in building the teams that will define our future.
• Growth Opportunities: At Smiths, we believe in your growth as much as our own. You’ll have the chance to shape your career and expand your leadership capabilities in an ever-evolving global landscape.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a diverse, collaborative team where innovation and fresh ideas are encouraged.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible working arrangements and a supportive work environment.

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We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)