Kraken is seeking an experienced Employment Counsel to serve as the company’s primary legal advisor on employment-related matters. Based in London, this role will support People team, business leaders, and employees across multiple jurisdictions, providing strategic and practical guidance on a broad range of employment issues throughout the employee lifecycle. The ideal candidate is a trusted advisor with deep employment law expertise who can navigate complex workplace matters, manage risk, and partner effectively with stakeholders across a fast-paced, global technology organization.
What you'll do:
Serve as the lead legal advisor on employment law matters across the business, partnering with People team and leadership teams globally.
Provide practical, risk-based guidance on employee relations, performance management, disciplinary actions, grievances, accommodations, leaves of absence, and terminations.
Advise on employment law compliance across multiple jurisdictions, working closely with external counsel where appropriate.
Lead and support workplace investigations involving employee complaints, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other sensitive matters.
Draft, review, and update employment-related agreements, policies, handbooks, and workplace procedures.
Advise on workforce planning initiatives, including reorganisations, restructurings, reductions in force, and other organisational changes.
Support the company’s international growth by providing employment-related guidance on new markets, hiring strategies, and workforce models.
Manage employment-related disputes, agency inquiries, claims, and litigation in partnership with external counsel.
Monitor legal and regulatory developments and advise stakeholders on emerging employment law risks and requirements.
Partner with Legal, Compliance, and leadership teams to develop training and best practices related to workplace conduct and employment compliance.
Support mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions by providing employment-related due diligence and integration guidance.
Provide legal support on other employment-related matters and strategic projects as they arise.
What you'll need:
Qualified solicitor, barrister, or equivalent legal qualification in the UK or another major jurisdiction.
Significant experience advising on employment law matters at a leading law firm and/or multinational in-house legal department.
Expertise in UK, EU, US employment law and comfortable working with other major jurisdictions.
Experience advising People and senior business leaders in a fast-paced, global organization.
Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex and sensitive workplace issues.
Experience handling workplace investigations, employment disputes, and litigation management.
Strong commercial judgment and ability to provide practical, business-oriented advice.
Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills.
It would be great if you also had:
- 5+ years of employment law experience at a leading law firm.
Experience supporting technology, SaaS, or other high-growth companies.
Experience supporting distributed and multinational workforces.
Familiarity with employment law issues across Europe, North America, and APAC.
Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, and workforce integrations.
Experience working in a global public company.
Kraken London, England Office
Winsley Street, UK House, London, United Kingdom, W1W 8HG
