Senior Associate

Senior Associate - Employment, Pensions & Immigration

Location: Guildford (hybrid role office based 2-3 days per week)
Practice Area: Employment
Salary: £78.5K plus profit share, bonuses and extensive benefits package

Key Requirements

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Employment Associate with a strong background in contentious and non-contentious employment matters. This is an exciting opportunity to join our highly regarded Employment, Pensions & Immigration Team, consistently ranked among the best in the region.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

• At least 5 years' PQE (we may consider candidates slightly above or below this range in exceptional cases)

• A strong track record in advising employers on a wide variety of HR and employment law matters

• Experience of employment litigation, dispute resolution, and tribunal proceedings

• Experience advising senior executives on exits, terminations, and settlement agreements

• Familiarity with providing employment support on M&A and corporate transactions

• Excellent drafting skills, technical accuracy, and commercial awareness

• A high level of responsiveness, reliability, and interpersonal communication skills

• An interest in business development and the ability to nurture strong client relationships

• Strong academics and a commitment to delivering client service excellence

Desirable (not essential):

• Experience advising on TUPE and drafting TUPE clauses

• Knowledge of employment agency regulations and agency worker compliance

• Exposure to business immigration and right to work compliance

• Familiarity with pensions issues or regulatory employment matters in the financial services sector

Role & Responsibilities

You will play a senior role within a growing and collaborative team of employment, pensions, and immigration professionals, working across a mix of complex employment work for predominantly employer clients, including household names and high-profile corporates.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Advising on the full spectrum of employment law, including restructures, redundancy, disciplinary, grievances, and senior departures

• Supporting on corporate deals, providing commercial and pragmatic employment law advice in the context of M&A, joint ventures, and outsourcing

• Drafting and negotiating a range of employment documentation, including contracts, policies, and settlement agreements

• Representing clients in tribunals and court proceedings, and handling mediation or pre-action disputes

• Advising directors and senior individuals on their exit arrangements and post-termination obligations

• Collaborating with pensions and immigration specialists on cross-disciplinary matters

• Participating in business development, marketing initiatives, client seminars, and thought leadership

• Taking ownership of client relationships and contributing to team leadership and mentoring junior colleagues

You'll benefit from a flexible working model (typically 2–3 days in office per week) and the option of part-time working—many lawyers in the team currently work four-day weeks.

Firm Overview

You will join a firm that combines professional excellence with a truly supportive and inclusive culture. Recognised in The Times Best Law Firms 2024, we offer a workplace where collaboration, inclusion, and progression are actively encouraged.

Recent accolades include:

• Shortlisted – Women, Influence & Power in Law UK 2024

• Highly Commended – Legal Business Awards 2023 & SLS Legal Awards 2023

• Shortlisted – The British Legal Awards 2023 & The Lawyer Awards 2023

• Office awarded RICS SKA Silver Certification and Fitwel 2 Star Accreditation

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, with recognised initiatives that foster a workplace where everyone can thrive.