Ocado Group is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employees are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, or disability or union membership status.
About Us
Our teams are putting the world’s retailers online using the cloud, robotics, AI, and IoT. We provide services to partner clients globally via our innovative advanced robotics technology, known as the Ocado Smart Platform ("OSP"), which drives our highly automated, multi-million pound Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs). In our CFCs - together with the proprietary software applications - we operate a world-class online grocery business that automates the single pick of products, ready for your online delivery.
About the role
The Legal Counsel - Employment and Immigration will be responsible for providing expert legal guidance on employment and immigration issues across the Ocado Group, both within the UK and internationally.
The role requires a collaborative, proactive approach, with the ability to work at pace to support the business's ongoing growth and evolving needs.
This position offers significant flexibility in terms of working patterns and locations. However, the successful candidate will need to be available to attend our Head Office in Hatfield (currently at least two days per week), as well as other Ocado sites when necessary. Travel to Employment Tribunal hearings and occasional out-of-hours work may be required.
The Legal Counsel - Employment and Immigration will be an integral part of the Employment and Immigration team reporting into the Principal Legal Counsel - Employment and Immigration.
The team sits within Disputes, Employment, Construction and Corporate, which is part of the Legal team and is managed by the Associate General Counsel - DECC. The Legal team sits within Ocado Group’s Legal & Business Integrity Department.
Accountabilities
- Taking a collaborative approach with our People team and other key stakeholders in the UK and internationally to handle varied employment law issues including recruitment, contractual issues, compensation and benefits, diversity, performance management, absence management, internal investigations, disciplinary matters, grievances and terminations
- Liaising with and managing local counsel in multiple jurisdictions to provide practical and commercial employment law advice, ensuring compliance with local legal requirements
- Under supervision, managing UK employment litigation
- Supporting on change programmes, including restructuring, redundancy and TUPE consultations
- Drafting and reviewing employment related provisions in commercial contracts
- Supporting corporate M&A activity when required
- Developing and delivering employment law training to the People team, the Employee Relations teams and other stakeholders
- Reviewing and drafting employment related policies and procedures
- Staying abreast of changes to employment law that may impact the business and supporting any change related activity
- Supporting and advising on employee privacy and data protection issues, alongside the data privacy team
- Assisting other members of the Legal team on various projects, as required
About you
- Qualified solicitor with specialism in Employment Law with between 3-7 years post qualification experience (although candidates outside this range who can demonstrate their ability to perform the duties of the role will still be considered)
- Excellent knowledge of all aspects of UK employment law and good working knowledge of international employment law
- Experience of managing UK employment litigation
- Experience of liaising with international legal counsel and coordinating advice
- Good academic qualifications
Preferred (in addition to minimum)
- Previous experience within an in-house legal team; and
- Knowledge of UK immigration rules and right to work requirements (or a willingness to learn).
What we offer you
Our employee benefits are designed for you, we care about people and we’ve ensured we have a wealth of benefits that focus on your well-being. We regularly review our benefits to ensure we are supporting our employees appropriately.
- 30 days ‘working from anywhere in the world’ policy
- Wellbeing support through dedicated apps and an Employee Assistance Programme
- 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after 5 years service (plus optional holiday purchase)
- Pension scheme (various options available including employer contribution matching up to 7%)
- Generous Private Medical Insurance (within the first month of joining!)
- Income Protection (can be up to 50% of salary for 3 years) and Life Assurance (3 x annual salary)
- 22 weeks paid maternity leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (once relevant service requirements complete)
- Train Ticket loan (interest-free)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Free shuttle bus to and from Hatfield Train Station to the Hatfield offices
- Free shuttle bus to and from Welwyn Garden City Train Station to the Welwyn Garden City offices
- Opportunity to participate in Sharesave and Buy as You Earn share schemes
- 15% discount on Ocado.com and free delivery for all employees (within the first month of joining!)
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Ocado Group London, England Office
White Collar Factory, 1 Old Street, St Luke's, London, London, United Kingdom, EC1Y 8AF
