Employment Law

Location: Lagos

Description

• The Employment Law & Employee Relations Officer leads on all employment law and employee relations matters within the organisation.
• The role ensures full compliance with UK employment legislation, provides expert guidance to senior leadership, and drives best practice in managing workplace relationships, risk, and organisational change.

Key Responsibilities
Employment Law Leadership:

• Advise senior management on legal implications of strategic decisions (e.g. restructuring, redundancies, TUPE).
• Manage relationships with external legal advisors and oversee litigation strategy.
• Lead the review, development, and implementation of HR policies and procedures.
• Act as the organisation's subject matter expert on UK employment law and best practice.
• Ensure compliance with legislation and guidance from bodies such as ACAS and relevant case law.

Employee Relations Strategy & Case Management:

• Lead and oversee complex employee relations cases, including disciplinary, grievance, whistleblowing, and performance matters.
• Ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant outcomes across all ER matters.
• Develop and implement proactive ER strategies to improve employee engagement and reduce conflict.
• Provide expert guidance and coaching to managers on handling sensitive and high-risk cases.

Tribunals & Legal Risk Management:

• Prepare legal documentation, witness statements, and case files.
• Represent the organisation in hearings or instruct and support legal counsel.
• Manage employment tribunal claims from start to resolution.
• Identify trends and implement actions to reduce legal risk and claims.

Organisational Change & Consultation:

• Manage consultation processes with employees and trade unions or employee representatives.
• Lead on employee relations aspects of organisational change, including restructures, redundancies, and TUPE transfers.
• Ensure compliance with collective consultation requirements and timelines.

Policy Development & Governance:

• Ensure policies are consistently applied across the organisation.
• Support internal audits and governance processes.
• Develop, review, and maintain HR policies in line with current legislation and organisational needs.

Training & Capability Building:

• Build management capability in handling people issues effectively and legally.
• Promote a culture of fairness, inclusion, and accountability.
• Design and deliver training on employment law and employee relations for managers and HR teams.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Set objectives, monitor performance, and support professional development.
• Lead and develop the Employee Relations team (if applicable).

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation abilities.
• Strategic thinking with a proactive approach to risk management.
• In-depth knowledge of UK and Nigeria employment law and tribunal processes.
• High level of integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to manage complex and high-risk cases with sound judgement.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Reduction in employment tribunal claims and associated costs.
• Timely and effective resolution of complex ER cases.
• Compliance with employment legislation and internal policies.
• Positive employee relations climate (e.g. reduced grievances, improved engagement).
• Manager capability and confidence in handling ER issues.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant experience in employment law and employee relations at a senior level.
• CIPD , CIMPN qualification (or equivalent experience) is highly desirable.
• Proven experience managing complex ER cases and employment tribunals.
• Experience advising senior leadership and managing organisational change.
• Degree in Human Resources, or related disciplines

Working Conditions:

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Remote-based working.