Job Description

Deputy Head of Legal (Employment, Litigation and Regulatory)

Salary: 68,525 per annum

Grade: G

Contract Type: Open Ended

Hours: Full Time

Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire (Hybrid working available)

Closing Date: 03 August 2025

Interview Date: Wednesday 20th & Thursday 21st August 2025

About UKRI

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is an independent, non-departmental public body, bringing together the seven Research Councils, Innovate UK, and Research England. UKRI works to maximise value from the UK Government's investment in research and innovation, with an allocation of 8.9 billion for the 2024-2025 financial year.


UKRI's mission is to lead the overall strategic direction of research and innovation funding in the UK, pushing the frontiers of human knowledge, to deliver benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research and business-led innovation.


UKRI's legal team are seeking to appoint a Deputy Head of Legal who is an expert in employment law and will lead the team providing employment, litigation and regulatory advice to the organisation.


This post can be based in Swindon, or Harwell. Periodic travel to other UKRI locations where the legal team and key clients are based may also be required according to business needs. UKRI operates flexible working policies which include the opportunity to work partly from home. Applicants should be willing to attend an office location approximately once a week.

Job Overview

Role and Responsibilities

You will work within the UKRI legal team and report to the UKRI Legal Director and General Counsel. You will have responsibility for ensuring effective provision of sound, pragmatic and business-focused legal advice on the full spectrum of employment law issues. This will range from day-to-day advice to HR staff and senior leaders on casework, including advice on equality law issues, whistleblowing and grievance matters; to advice on wider employment projects and policies affecting the organisation. You should be experienced in running and advising on employment litigation ranging from breach of contract and unfair dismissal cases through to complex discrimination and whistleblowing cases. You will be responsible for managing relationships with external law firms and Counsel and engaging other external experts where necessary.


In addition, you will manage a small team of lawyers who advise on employment law, regulatory law, data protection and litigation and you should be an experienced line manager. You will also be part of the Legal Senior Leadership Team and have joint responsibility for overall matters affecting the legal function such as training and professional compliance.

Person Specification

(S) - Shortlisting Criteria (I) - Interview Criteria (S & I) - Shortlisting Criteria & Interview Criteria

Essential

Academic Qualifications

Minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in your first degree ( in any subject) or equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement where satisfactory evidence can be provided (e.g. via relevant experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GLD)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)). Where an overseas degree qualification is held, this should be equivalent to a 2:1 degree. (S)

Professional Qualifications

Qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales (S)*

Person Specification

Skilled and experienced employment lawyer with the ability to understand public sector policy drivers and work effectively within the statutory framework applicable to a non-departmental public body (S&I)*
Demonstrable technical aptitude and strong experience of advising clients at a senior level, acting as trusted advisor (I)*
The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly (I)*
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence and work collaboratively (I)*
'Can-do' individual who is self-motivated and able to plan and manage a varied workload, meeting deadlines and effectively prioritising and managing competing demands (I)*
Demonstrable leadership and line management experience and the ability to provide effective quality assurance of the team's legal advice on employment, litigation and regulatory matters (S&I)*

Application Guidance:

How to evidence the criteria:


You are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in the cover letter to evidence your ability to meet the 'person specification' criteria in the job description. Cover letters should be no more than two sides of A4 (minimum font size 11). For examples of the STAR method, please visit: The STAR method | National Careers Service '.

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below;


An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent) Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice Flexible working options

Please click here for more details on the Benefits of working for UKRI - UKRI