We are seeking a professionally qualified and experienced Head of Legal to lead our legal team and provide professional legal advice on employment law matters. The Head of Legal role is pivotal in supporting our Senior Management Team, staff, and members, ensuring that our legal services are effective and aligned with the union's objectives of building union power.
Salary and Location
Band 5, Regional Spine points 23-19
Starting Salary £58,877 p.a. rising to £67,689 p.a. in annual increments
PCS Birmingham
Successful candidates for the post of Head of Legal will be able to demonstrate:
Proven experience in employment law and legal management
Strong leadership and people management skills
Excellent communication and negotiation abilities
Commitment to promoting equality and diversity in the workplace
Ability to work collaboratively and manage complex legal issues
The main duties of the Head of Legal role include:
Delivering expert legal guidance and representation on employment law issues
Conducting legal research, drafting claims, and representing members in employment tribunal hearings and negotiating on their behalf
Managing a team of legal professionals, overseeing casework management and ensuring alignment with the union's strategic goals
Building and maintaining relationships with contractors to ensure cost-effective services
As a qualified solicitor/legal executive with at least 5 years of post-qualification experience, you will be able to show how you maintain and share your up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation as the Head of Legal. You will be committed to developing your team, through training, appraisal, and the use of technology. An understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions is essential for the Head of Legal role.
Closing date: at 12 midday on Wednesday 12 February 2025
Interviews will be held by Zoom: Wednesday 26 February 2025
Selected applicants may be invited to a second interview on Friday 28 February 2025
About PCS
PCS is the Public and Commercial Services Union, representing many thousands of members working in the civil service and related areas.
Employer Benefits
You will have access to a generous package of staff benefits including:
Flexible working (including hybrid working)
Childcare and family support
Generous maternity/paternity leave
32 days leave and Christmas closure
Pension scheme
Employee assistance programme
Learning and Development
The union offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. We will work with you to support your continued professional development.
JOB DESCRIPTION: HEAD OF LEGAL
Ref: 0125
Grade: Band 5, Regional
Salary:
Spine points 23 -19
Starting salary £58,877 p.a. rising to £67,689 p.a.
Location:
Birmingham Purpose of the job: To lead on and deliver professional legal advice, guidance, and representation on employment law matters to the Senior Management Team, Staff, NEC and members. To maintain and build relationships with contractors, ensuring PCS services are fit for purpose and cost-effective. To undertake a management role with direct responsibility for staff, ensuring that the work of the team is in line with the wider objectives of the union. Responsible to:
Band 6, Head of Legal & Equality Responsible for:
Band 4 Solicitors/ Legal & Employment Rights Managers/ B3 Legal & Employment Rights Officers Main duties and responsibilities Conducting legal research into past cases and documents Draft and prepare claims or other legal documents Provide legal advice to SMT, NEC, members Negotiate on behalf of PCS Represent members in employment tribunal hearings Keep up to date with new developments in employment legislation Provide employment law briefings to PCS staff about changes in legislation, the rights of members/workers including issues related to wages, working hours, rest breaks, and other entitlements Advising members and Reps on wrongful termination and unfair dismissal claims, including reviewing dismissal procedures and advocating for members' rights. Assisting members and reps in cases of workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on factors such as age, gender, race, disability, or other protected characteristics Contribute to the strategic development of the Unions policy objectives including the PCS planning process Provide leadership in delivering the unions Legal and Employment Rights strategy Manage people and resources in the Legal and Employment Rights Unit Provide advice to and lead relevant committees including the preparation and presentation of reports Monitor and report on issues and initiatives as requested Provide input into budgetary processes including bid preparation, monitoring and control where relevant Person Specification:
HEAD OF LEGAL Ref:
0125 Date:
January 2025 Location:
Birmingham ESSENTIAL FACTORS QUALIFICATION Qualified Solicitor/Legal Executive with 5 years post-qualified experience EXPERIENCE People management including induction, work allocation, appraisal and conduct Leading committees and teams Industrial relations and negotiations Advocacy and representation High level project management, problem solving and decision making TRAINING Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development Commitment to undertake job-related training Commitment to participation in appraisal and development review process Commitment to staff development KNOWLEDGE Understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions Budget monitoring and control processes Employment rights, equality legislation, discrimination law and working practices Impact and use of Digital and IT applications in a trade union SKILLS Ability to communicate effectively using written and oral channels, including reports and presentations, with a variety of audiences Ability to negotiate and form effective working relationships internally and externally Ability to identify and set standards and priorities Ability to provide strategic and policy implementation advice and guidance High standard of organisational ability OTHER Commitment to the application of Equal Opportunities policies and practices at work Understanding of own role in maintaining legal compliances within PCS (e.g. data protection; health and safety) Flexible approach to work and willing to work outside of normal office hours and location on occasions
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Birmingham Purpose of the job: To lead on and deliver professional legal advice, guidance, and representation on employment law matters to the Senior Management Team, Staff, NEC and members. To maintain and build relationships with contractors, ensuring PCS services are fit for purpose and cost-effective. To undertake a management role with direct responsibility for staff, ensuring that the work of the team is in line with the wider objectives of the union. Responsible to:
Band 6, Head of Legal & Equality Responsible for:
Band 4 Solicitors/ Legal & Employment Rights Managers/ B3 Legal & Employment Rights Officers Main duties and responsibilities Conducting legal research into past cases and documents Draft and prepare claims or other legal documents Provide legal advice to SMT, NEC, members Negotiate on behalf of PCS Represent members in employment tribunal hearings Keep up to date with new developments in employment legislation Provide employment law briefings to PCS staff about changes in legislation, the rights of members/workers including issues related to wages, working hours, rest breaks, and other entitlements Advising members and Reps on wrongful termination and unfair dismissal claims, including reviewing dismissal procedures and advocating for members' rights. Assisting members and reps in cases of workplace discrimination, harassment, or retaliation based on factors such as age, gender, race, disability, or other protected characteristics Contribute to the strategic development of the Unions policy objectives including the PCS planning process Provide leadership in delivering the unions Legal and Employment Rights strategy Manage people and resources in the Legal and Employment Rights Unit Provide advice to and lead relevant committees including the preparation and presentation of reports Monitor and report on issues and initiatives as requested Provide input into budgetary processes including bid preparation, monitoring and control where relevant Person Specification:
HEAD OF LEGAL Ref:
0125 Date:
January 2025 Location:
Birmingham ESSENTIAL FACTORS QUALIFICATION Qualified Solicitor/Legal Executive with 5 years post-qualified experience EXPERIENCE People management including induction, work allocation, appraisal and conduct Leading committees and teams Industrial relations and negotiations Advocacy and representation High level project management, problem solving and decision making TRAINING Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development Commitment to undertake job-related training Commitment to participation in appraisal and development review process Commitment to staff development KNOWLEDGE Understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions Budget monitoring and control processes Employment rights, equality legislation, discrimination law and working practices Impact and use of Digital and IT applications in a trade union SKILLS Ability to communicate effectively using written and oral channels, including reports and presentations, with a variety of audiences Ability to negotiate and form effective working relationships internally and externally Ability to identify and set standards and priorities Ability to provide strategic and policy implementation advice and guidance High standard of organisational ability OTHER Commitment to the application of Equal Opportunities policies and practices at work Understanding of own role in maintaining legal compliances within PCS (e.g. data protection; health and safety) Flexible approach to work and willing to work outside of normal office hours and location on occasions
#J-18808-Ljbffr
