Employment Lawyer

Job Title

Job Description

Employment Counsel role

Hello, we're IG Group. We are a publicly-traded FTSE250 FinTech company who run mobile, web and desktop platforms that help our clients trade stocks & shares, leveraged products, Futures & Options and Crypto.

We are ambitious. Over 340,000 people already use our platforms. We're global with offices in 18 countries and products in 16 regions. We're hungry to move faster, ship better product for our customers and grow our user base. We believe in high autonomy, and we want people who are looking to do things differently in order to create better experiences for our customers.

We work in cross-functional teams and are laser focused on increasing the number of active clients we serve to drive sustainable growth.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Employment Counsel to join our fast-growth UK listed company as the first dedicated employment law specialist within our legal team. This is a unique opportunity to build and shape the employment law function for a dynamic, international organisation operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you will be the primary legal advisor on all employment matters, working closely with our HR team to provide strategic guidance on day-to-day issues and significant projects. This is an individual contributor role where you will manage relationships with external counsel across our global footprint, ensuring we receive pragmatic, commercial advice that balances legal risk with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Advisory and Strategic Support

• Provide expert employment law advice to HR and business stakeholders on the full spectrum of employment matters, including hiring, contracts, performance management, restructuring, redundancies, terminations, and disciplinary processes
• Support HR on strategic workforce projects, including organisational redesigns, TUPE transfers, bonus and incentive schemes, policy development, and employee relations matters
• Advise on senior executive appointments, contracts, and exits, including negotiation of settlement agreements
• Guide the business through complex employee relations issues, working collaboratively with HR to achieve pragmatic outcomes

International Employment Law

• Coordinate and manage employment law advice across our international operations, with particular focus on European jurisdictions (including Poland, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy), APAC markets (including Australia, Singapore, and Japan), and Dubai
• Instruct, manage, and oversee external counsel in local jurisdictions, ensuring advice is timely, cost-effective, and appropriately calibrated to business risk appetite
• Translate complex multi-jurisdictional legal advice into clear, commercial guidance for non-legal stakeholders
• Develop an understanding of key employment law risks and differences across our operating jurisdictions

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure employment practices comply with applicable laws and regulations across all jurisdictions
• Identify and mitigate employment law risks, escalating issues appropriately to the GC and senior management
• Support the development and implementation of global employment policies and procedures that are fit for purpose across different jurisdictions
• Stay abreast of relevant legal and regulatory developments, advising the business on implications and required actions

Stakeholder Management and Collaboration

• Build strong, trusted relationships with the HR team, acting as their legal partner and advisor
• Integrate effectively within the existing legal team, collaborating on cross-functional matters
• Develop relationships with key business stakeholders across functions and geographies
• Act as a business partner, understanding commercial drivers and providing solutions-oriented advice

Essential Requirements

Qualification and Experience

• Qualified solicitor in England and Wales with at least 5-7 years PQE, with substantial experience in employment law
• Proven track record of handling employment law matters in-house or in private practice, ideally in a fast-paced, commercial environment
• Demonstrable experience working across multiple jurisdictions, with exposure to employment law in at least some of our key markets (EU, APAC, Middle East)
• Experience managing external counsel and legal service providers

Skills and Attributes

• Commercially minded with the ability to assess risk and provide pragmatic, business-focused advice
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new legal frameworks and jurisdictions
• Self-starter with a proactive, hands-on approach and the ability to work autonomously
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility and trust across all levels of the organisation
• Strong project management capabilities, with experience delivering on complex, multi-workstream projects
• Clear and effective communicator, able to translate complex legal concepts for non-legal audiences
• Driven and results-oriented, with a track record of taking initiative and driving matters to conclusion
• Team player who can integrate into existing teams and collaborate effectively
• High degree of emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate sensitive employee relations matters

Desirable

• In-house experience in a listed company or similar regulated environment
• Experience in a growth or scaling business
• Knowledge of share incentive arrangements and executive compensation
• Previous experience building or developing an employment law function

Location

This role is based in London

The Perks

Your growth fuels our success! Thrive with tailored development programs, mentoring opportunities with leaders, and clear career progression. Expand your network through committees, sports and social clubs. Enjoy extra time off for volunteering and community work.

Learn more about the Perks here!

Join us for this exciting journey. Apply now!

Number of openings