About Company
Unum UK is a leading provider of employee benefits, committed to helping millions of people and their families gain financial protection and support when they need it most. With a rich history spanning over 175 years, we are dedicated to building a culture of empathy, innovation, and unwavering commitment to our customers and employees. Our mission is to protect our customers’ financial futures, and we achieve this through a diverse portfolio of life insurance, income protection, and critical illness plans. We are proud of our inclusive work environment where every voice is heard, and individual growth is encouraged. We empower our employees to thrive professionally and personally, fostering a collaborative spirit that drives our success and impact within the community. At Unum UK, we believe that taking care of our people is paramount to our success, and we continually invest in their well-being, development, and career progression. Join Unum UK and be part of a team that makes a tangible difference in people’s lives every single day, while enjoying a supportive and dynamic remote working culture.
Job Description
Are you an astute legal professional with a profound passion for human resources and a keen knack for navigating complex employment law? Unum UK is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Remote HR Legal Liaison to join our dynamic team. This pivotal role sits at the intersection of our Human Resources and Legal departments, acting as a crucial bridge to ensure our people practices are not only best-in-class but also fully compliant with all relevant UK employment legislation.
As our Remote HR Legal Liaison, you will be instrumental in safeguarding Unum UK’s interests by providing expert legal guidance on a wide array of HR matters, mitigating risks, and fostering an environment of compliance and fairness across the organisation. This is more than just a legal advisory role; it’s a significant opportunity to shape our HR landscape. You will be responsible for interpreting intricate legal statutes, translating them into actionable, pragmatic HR policies and procedures, and proactively advising senior leadership on emerging legal trends and their potential impact on our workforce.
Your expertise will be vital in handling sensitive and complex employee relations issues, including disciplinary actions, grievances, dismissals, and settlement agreements, ensuring all processes are conducted legally, ethically, and in line with company values. You will also play a key role in developing and delivering comprehensive training programs to HR professionals and managers on critical employment law compliance topics, fostering a proactive and preventative approach to legal risk management across the organisation. The successful candidate will thrive in a remote work setting, demonstrating exceptional self-motivation, meticulous attention to detail, outstanding communication skills, and the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team. If you are passionate about applying your legal acumen to create a fair, compliant, and thriving workplace, we encourage you to apply.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide expert legal advice and strategic guidance to the HR team and senior management on all aspects of UK employment law, including but not limited to discrimination, unfair dismissal, redundancy, TUPE, and terms and conditions of employment.
- Draft, review, and meticulously update HR policies, procedures, and employee handbooks to ensure absolute legal compliance and alignment with industry best practices.
- Lead and manage complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary hearings, grievances, and appeals, offering sound legal counsel and ensuring rigorous due process.
- Negotiate and draft legally sound settlement agreements, ensuring all statutory and regulatory requirements are met and potential risks are effectively mitigated.
- Proactively monitor and stay abreast of changes in employment legislation and case law, assessing their potential impact on Unum UK and recommending necessary adjustments to policies and practices.
- Develop and deliver engaging and informative training sessions to HR professionals and managers on key employment law topics, compliance best practices, and effective risk management strategies.
- Collaborate closely with the wider legal department on litigation matters related to employment, preparing necessary documentation, witness statements, and providing expert support.
- Advise HR on data protection (GDPR) compliance requirements specific to employee data and HR processes.
- Provide employment law advice and support regarding organisational change initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, and restructuring.
Required Skills
- Extensive proven expertise in UK employment law and its practical application.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving abilities.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely.
- Demonstrated ability to translate intricate legal concepts into practical, actionable HR advice and solutions.
- Highest level of integrity, professional discretion, and confidentiality.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously, manage a diverse and demanding workload, and meet deadlines in a remote environment.
- Proven experience in conducting comprehensive legal research and providing well-reasoned, informed recommendations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Solicitor qualification in England & Wales with a dedicated focus on employment law.
- Prior experience working within a highly regulated financial services environment.
- CIPD qualification (Level 7 or equivalent) or other relevant HR professional certification.
- Direct experience with employment tribunal procedures and case management.
- Familiarity with pensions and employee benefits law.
- Experience in cross-functional project management.
Perks & Benefits
- Highly competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Generous non-contributory pension scheme contributions.
- Annual leave starting at 25 days, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell additional days.
- Comprehensive private medical insurance and income protection cover.
- Flexible and supportive remote working environment with dedicated tools and resources.
- Extensive opportunities for continuous professional development, training, and career advancement.
- Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a range of wellbeing initiatives.
- Recognition and reward programs to celebrate individual and team achievements.
- Access to an extensive range of employee discounts on various retail, leisure, and lifestyle products/services.
How to Apply
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please click on the application link below. Ensure your CV and cover letter clearly outline your relevant experience and how you meet the requirements for this Remote HR Legal Liaison role at Unum UK. We look forward to reviewing your application.