Job Description

We are seeking an employment law adviser to fill the post of National Officer Employment Law. As a professionally qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive with 2 years post-qualified experience you will lead our legal team and provide professional legal advice on employment law matters. The National Officer Employment Law 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, London Spine points 21-17 or Regional Spine points 23-19 London Starting salary: 63,279 p.a. rising to 72,098 p.a. or Regional Starting salary: 58,877 p.a. rising to 67,689 in annual increments London or Region

Successful candidates for the National Officer Employment Law 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 National Officer Employment Law role include:

Delivering expert legal guidance and representation on employment law issues. Conducting legal research, drafting claims, and other legal documents. Managing a team of legal professionals, overseeing casework management and ensuring alignment with the union's strategic goals.
You will be committed to developing your team, through training, appraisal and the use of technology and you will be able to show how you maintain and share your up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation. An understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions is essential for the National Officer Employment Law role.

Closing date: at 12 midday on Friday 13 June 2025

Interviews will be held by Zoom: Wednesday 2 July 2025

Selected applicants may be invited to a second interview on Friday 4 July 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.

PCS Recruiting Process

We use CVMinder to manage all recruitment activities. It helps us to maintain our commitment to equality and diversity by ensuring that we are fair and compliant with our recruiting practices.


Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified.


Candidates invited for interview are required to make themselves available on the date/s specified. Interview dates cannot be changed to accommodate candidates who are unavailable to attend on the specified date.

CVs will not be accepted. Please see the job description/person specification and follow the application process. PCS is working towards equal opportunities and is positive about disabled people. All posts can be considered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis.

Please view our guidance for applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

NATIONAL OFFICER EMPLOYMENT LAW


Ref: 0325


Grade: Band 5, London or Region

Salary:

London Spine points 21-17


London Starting salary 63,279 p.a. rising to 72,098 p.a.


Regional Spine points 23 -19


Regional Spine points 58,877 p.a. rising to 67,689 p.a.

Location:

London/Region


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 undertake a management role with direct responsibility for two Legal & Employment Rights Managers (Senior Paralegals).

Responsible to:

Band 6, Head of Legal & Equality

Responsible for:

Band 4 Legal & Employment Rights Managers (Senior Paralegals /Junior Lawyers)


Contacts

External

:


PCS Members, elected officials and potential members. Employers, Legal and other advisors. TUC, Members of other trade unions and related bodies. MPs, pressure groups, campaigning bodies and media.

Internal:

PCS Staff and managers across Regions, Senior Management Team, National Management Team and other PCS Departments.

Main duties and responsibilities

1.Key areas

Conduct legal research into past cases and documents Draft and prepare claims or other legal documents Provide legal advice to SMT, NEC, members Negotiate settlements on behalf of PCS members Keep up to date with new developments in employment legislation Provide employment law briefings to PCS staff about changes in employment legislation Advise members and Reps on wrongful termination and unfair dismissal claims, including reviewing dismissal procedures and advocating for members' rights Assist 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 development of the Unions policy objectives including the PCS planning process Provide leadership in delivering the unions Legal and Employment Rights strategy Provide support and have direct involvement through the National Management Team (NMT) in the unions bargaining, organising, campaigning, equality, learning and digital agendas Manage people and resources in the Legal and Employment Rights Unit Provide advice to 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

2.People Management

Manage work allocation and workflow, future planning and support for officer team/line manager Motivate and manage individuals and the team as a whole to provide a high standard of service Check work standards and maintain consistent quality of delegated tasks Seek to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the team Through induction, the appraisal system and one-to-ones, identify staff training and development needs, train or organise formal/informal training Proactively promote diversity in line with the wider PCS approach Apply the staff conduct policies as and when required e.g. discipline, grievance, capability, dignity at work and IT security policies Provide advice and deal with complex issues related to staff management including disciplinary or grievance in consultation with Line Manager Ensure that the health, safety and welfare of staff is maintained and improved, in accordance with PCS and statutory policies Work effectively with lay officials Deputise for Line Manager when required

3.Communication

Ensure digitalisation, information & communication methods are effectively implemented and used to generate improvements Draft complex communications including briefs and reports Communicate with members by producing circulars and briefings, and by addressing meetings and conferences etc As necessary, represent PCS and liaise with outside bodies

4.Casework Management

Advise in the handling of personal casework Liaise with Solicitors, internal and external bodies on the handling of personal casework Represent PCS or PCS members at official bodies such as employment tribunals, Civil Service Appeal Board, etc. Maintain and improve own knowledge of the developments in employment law and practice

5.Team Working

Proactively promote team working Initiate, organise, lead and participate in team meetings as appropriate Maintain high levels of confidentiality of sensitive issues at all times Provide assistance to team members

6.Equality

Contribute to PCS policies on equal opportunities by developing innovative workplace strategies to tackle inequality and discrimination

7.General

Participate and input information into PCS planning and budgeting processes At all times implement and promote the PCSs equal opportunities policy and adhere to the PCS Values Take due and reasonable care of self and others in respect of health and safety at work Participate in appraisal, training and development systems Act in a manner that enhances the work of the PCS and its overall public image In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and PCSs requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals Staff at this grade may be assigned or transferred to posts within grade. A training & development programme will be provided to assist with this, where required such other duties that may reasonably be required and that are within the level of the responsibility of this post Willing to work outside normal office hours and location on occasion (e.g. attendance at Annual Delegate Conference, where required)

Person Specification:

NATIONAL OFFICER EMPLOYMENT LAW

Ref:

0325

Date:

May 2025

Location:

London/Region

ESSENTIAL FACTORS

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified Solicitor/Legal Executive with 2 years post-qualified experience

EXPERIENCE

Proven experience in employment law and legal management, including advocacy and representation People management including induction, work allocation, appraisal and conduct Leading committees and teams Industrial relations and negotiations High level project management, problem solving and decision making

TRAINING

(including continuous professional development)

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 work collaboratively and manage complex legal issues Ability to identify and set standards and priorities Ability to provide strategic and policy implementation advice and guidance

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