In-House Legal Counsel

We have a fantastic in-house development opportunity for someone studying legal practice who is looking to build practical commercial legal experience within a dynamic, people-focused organisation. This role will sit within our People Team and provide exposure to a broad range of employment law, employee relations and commercial in-house legal matters, with remote working and travel as required.

This opportunity is ideal for an aspiring legal professional who is currently studying towards a recognised legal qualification and wants to gain meaningful in-house employment experience. Working closely with colleagues across HR, operations and external legal partners, the postholder will support practical, commercially focused legal activity, with a particular emphasis on employment-related matters.

The role will provide valuable exposure to ACAS and Employment Tribunal claims, complex employee relations issues, policy development, contract and governance considerations, and the effective coordination of external legal advice. It is designed to help the successful candidate develop confidence, judgement and commercial awareness in an in-house environment, while contributing to high-quality legal and people support across EMED Group.

Benefits for the role include

• Salary £40k - £50k (DOE)
• Annual car allowance
• Private Healthcare
• 33 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays) with the option to purchase additional leave through salary sacrifice.
• Life Assurance
• 24/7 online/telephone GP Consultation and access to prescriptions.
• 2nd opinion medical support following diagnosis or where a colleague is on a treatment pathway.
• Cash-plan benefits, providing colleagues the option of protecting themselves in case of illness and recuperation, including dental, optical, chiropody.
• Access to mental health and physiotherapy consultations.
• Access to legal advice on domestic issues e.g. motoring offences, wills and probate, and personal injury.
• Long Service Recognition Scheme – recognising colleagues for their continued service after 5 years and at 5-year intervals with an increase in annual leave.

Role Responsibilities

• Support the preparation, coordination and management of ACAS Early Conciliation matters and Employment Tribunal claims.
• Assist with drafting responses, witness statements, chronologies, bundles, settlement documentation and case summaries, working closely with HR colleagues and external legal advisers where required.
• Provide clear, pragmatic and risk-based advice on contentious employment matters, including grievances, disciplinaries, capability, absence, whistleblowing, discrimination, flexible working and other employee relations issues.
• Track key dates, deadlines and required actions for ACAS and Employment Tribunal matters to support timely and effective case management.
• Develop and deliver practical guidance, briefings and education sessions for managers on managing people cases effectively and lawfully.
• Support managers to understand how early intervention, fair process, good documentation and consistent decision-making can reduce the likelihood of escalation to ACAS or Employment Tribunal claims.
• Provide coaching to HR colleagues and managers on complex or sensitive employee relations cases.
• Support the review, drafting and development of employment-related policies, procedures, templates and guidance notes.
• Ensure employment policies and processes remain legally compliant, operationally practical and aligned with EMED’s values and ways of working.
• Coordinate instructions, collate relevant information and ensure advice is sought at the right time and for the right level of risk.
• Support effective management of external legal spend by helping ensure queries are well prepared, proportionate and clearly scoped.

Do you have what it takes?

• Currently studying towards, or progressing through, a recognised legal qualification such as the Legal Practice Course, SQE pathway or equivalent professional route.
• A genuine interest in developing an in-house legal career and gaining commercial experience within a fast-paced healthcare logistics organisation.
• Some relevant legal, employment law, employee relations or paralegal experience would be advantageous, but we are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate strong learning agility, sound judgement and a commitment to developing their legal practice.
• Understanding of UK employment law principles and their practical application in a people-focused operational environment.
• Experience working with HR teams, managers or external legal advisers would be advantageous.
• Ability to provide clear, balanced and practical legal guidance to non-legal stakeholders.
• Strong drafting, analytical and organisational skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Confident communicator with the ability to build credibility with managers, HR colleagues and external legal partners.
• Sound judgement and the ability to assess risk, prioritise activity and escalate appropriately.
• Discreet and professional, with a strong understanding of confidentiality and data protection considerations.
• Proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused, with a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

About Us

EMED Group is an established healthcare logistics provider that enables access to health and social care through our four specialist divisions. We are one of the largest health and care partners to the NHS with 4,000 colleagues across over 60 bases UK-wide.

EMED Group is committed to pro-actively improving the wellbeing of our communities by providing access to vital health and social care services across the UK.

EMED Group are committed to providing services for our patients, service users, clients, and community and is supported by employees with an increasing variety of backgrounds. To do this effectively it is essential that we promote equality and embrace diversity and inclusion and treat all of our employees, patients, service users and clients with dignity and respect.

EMED Group is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination, with our aim being to be truly representative of all sections of society and our clients, and for each employee to feel respected, valued and able to give their best.

EMED Group are committed to providing equal opportunities and we endeavour to provide an inclusive and safe working culture for all.