Head of Employment

Andy File Associates Limited is working as a Recruitment Agency on behalf of our client with regards to this permanent position.

Job Title: Head of Employment
Location: Sheffield S9
Reports to: Head of Legal Practice
Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday (office-based)
Salary: Attractive Salary

The Role

Our client is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Employment to provide strategic and operational leadership across its Employment Department. This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, efficient and risk-aware service to members, key stakeholders.

Working closely with the senior management team, you will play a key role in shaping service delivery, driving continuous improvement, enhancing systems and workflows, and developing the capability and performance of the department.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operational Management

• Operate as a senior leader within the management team, contributing to organisational strategy, service development and future planning.
• Ensure appropriate systems, controls and governance arrangements are in place to deliver consistent, high-quality services.
• Lead the continuous review and improvement of processes, workflows, controls and risk management frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with audit requirements, regulatory standards, KPIs, service levels and quality standards.
• Act as a senior point of reference on employment law practice, decision-making and service standards.
• Support complex caseloads where required.

People Leadership & Performance Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership and oversight of the Employment Department.
• Manage workloads, caseload allocation, resourcing, capacity planning, holidays, sickness and absence.
• Embed and maintain a robust performance management framework, including objectives, quality reviews, supervision and regular one-to-ones.
• Coach, mentor and develop fee earners, building leadership capability, accountability and resilience.
• Support career development pathways, including trainees and colleagues seeking progression.
• Design and implement training and development initiatives covering legal, leadership and soft skills.

Client Service & Stakeholder Management

• Maintain and strengthen relationships, regional representatives and external partners.
• Ensure consistently high standards of communication with members, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Handle complaints, risk issues and negligence allegations effectively, ensuring lessons learned are embedded.
• Deliver training sessions, briefings and updates and workplace representatives.
• Promote a culture of excellent service delivery and continuous improvement.

Systems, Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Lead and support the development of the case management system and workflow efficiencies.
• Identify opportunities to improve service delivery, productivity, quality and client experience.
• Support innovation and change initiatives aligned with organisational objectives.
• Drive process transformation and operational improvements across the department.

About You

You will possess:

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• A strategic mindset combined with a hands-on operational approach.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
• High levels of professionalism, integrity and resilience.
• Strong coaching, mentoring and development capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A pragmatic and solutions-focused approach.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and delivering exceptional service.

Experience Required

Proven experience leading large and multidisciplinary teams.

Significant experience and working knowledge of employment law and practice, including advisory and case management work.

Demonstrable experience of performance management, quality assurance and service delivery.

Experience working strategically and operationally.

Strong stakeholder management experience within a legal or trade union environment.

Experience leading systems, process improvement or transformation programmes.

Experience collecting and analysing evidence, researching the law, determining prospects and progressing matters efficiently.

Experience developing people and building high-performing teams.

Qualifications and Technical Skills

Qualified Solicitor (or equivalent).

Strong technical knowledge of employment law and practice.

Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Strong organisational and leadership capabilities.

Ability to manage competing priorities and perform effectively under pressure.

Commitment to continuous learning and service excellence.

Benefits

35-hour working week, Monday to Friday (office based)

25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, increasing by one day per year of service up to a maximum of 31 days

Death in service benefit (4 x salary)

Enhanced maternity and shared parental leave

Free parking

4% employer pension contribution

Simply Health scheme with employer and employee contributions

Anytime GP service

Employee Assistance Programme

Probate and Estate Planning support

Costco membership card

Company sick pay (8 weeks full pay and 8 weeks half pay following successful completion of probation)