Senior Employment Lawyer

Requisition ID 51354 Recruiter #LI-HB2

About The Role

We are looking for a Senior Employment Lawyer to join our team.

This role will be responsible for advising on all Employment, Labour and Industrial Relations law matters across Europe and will also play a key role in connecting with all regions across Kerry’s global footprint, to ensure the provision of clear, consistent, and concise expertise/best practice on all legal matters related to Employment and Labour law.

Kerry operates a Hybrid working policy, candidates will be required to work from our offices in Naas or Tralee each week.

Key Individual Accountabilities

• Create and implement a robust Employment Law strategy at Kerry working with other regional lawyers and employment law experts in the Group.
• Provide pro-active, business oriented, legal counsel on all aspects of employment law to management, in partnership with our human resources function.
• Work on international and cross-border issues arising across the regions in which Kerry operates including employment agreements, policies, global mobility agreements and programs, and cross-border employee investigation matters.
• Manage outside counsel to receive jurisdiction-specific employment law advice and oversee employment related litigation matters and mediations, in partnership with regional Legal & HR leads.
• Provide expert support, as appropriate, to internal investigations relating to HR matters.
• Support Kerry in reaching its Human Rights goals and complying with evolving legal obligations relating to Kerry’s impact on Human Rights both inside and outside the organisation.
• Provide employment law support to internal clients with an international focus as a member of the Kerry Group’s legal department.
• Manage budget spend on external employment agencies and lawyers.
• Represent the Company before relevant agencies in audits and administrative charges, including preparing position statements, as appropriate.
• Advise on best practice in all matters relating to employment law, while also bringing an ‘outside in’ perspective.
• Ensure Kerry is fully briefed regarding changes and development in Employment law, sharing trends, best practice, including knowledge sharing/educating key stakeholders.
• Contribute to the broader leadership of the legal function across Kerry.
• Leverage Kerry’s membership of employer representative bodies to ensure we are maximising the benefit through positioning, access to expert advice and, relationship building where beneficial.

Key Shared Accountabilities

• Co-ownership with HR of Employment Law/Employee Relations frameworks ensuring Governance of all related policies.
• Partners closely with Business Integrity & Legal operations Director on Speak Up, Human Rights and any other relevant matters, playing a key role in championing certain business integrity initiative.
• Partners with the Regional Legal Counsel and employment law experts to understand the local complexities / differences and ensure a consistent approach across the Group, where appropriate.

Qualifications & Skills

• Strong relevant experience as a Lawyer advising private commercial organisations on Employment Law.
• Active practicing license as a lawyer in England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, or any EU jurisdiction.
• Experience with establishing business operations in new jurisdictions or operating internationally as a commercial organisation, including handling global mobility and immigration matters, international corporate governance, or international contractual issues.
• Experience with working in a corporate legal environment or law firm.
• Experience with collaborating in a team environment.
• An ability to prepare a legal strategy, lead negotiations and navigate through complex legal issues.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of business needs with excellent negotiation skills.
• Ability to work across several multinational jurisdictions and to collaborate across geographies and functions.
• Ability to serve as a business partner to corporate leaders and build consensus on complex law and business issues while viewing legal issues through a business lens.
• Ability to manage in a matrixed environment.

About Kerry

The aim to shape the future of food might seem ambitious to some, but to us in Kerry, it's all in a day’s work. Kerry is dedicated to helping create better-tasting, more authentic and nutritious food, and beverages. We produce safe, quality products that help feed millions every day. Wherever you are, we can work together to create inspiring solutions that nourish life.

Get in touch today!

In Kerry we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles, and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.

Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kerry and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.

Beware of scams online or from individuals claiming to represent us. A Kerry employee will not solicit candidates through a non-Kerry email address or phone number. In addition, Kerry does not currently utilise video chat rooms (e.g., Google Hangouts) to conduct interviews. Refuse any request that asks you to provide payment to participate in the hiring process (e.g., purchasing a “starter kit,” investing in training, or something similar). Kerry will not ask you to pay any money at any point in the hiring process with the exception of reimbursable travel expenses. In addition, any payments made by Kerry will be from official firm accounts bearing the Kerry name.