Solicitor/Legal Adviser

Job Description

Scottish Engineering are a member’s organisation who represent and support the engineering and manufacturing sector in Scotland. We are based in Central Glasgow, close to both main train stations.

The Solicitor/Legal Adviser will sit within our Legal and HR team, working alongside two other Solicitors and an Employee Relations Adviser, who collectively deliver an Employment Law advice and support service to our member companies, and assist our Chief Executive with member events and visits throughout Scotland. You will provide legal advice on new and ongoing queries, manage a case workload, helping our members with simple queries through to complex case management, and will also prepare for and represent members at the Employment Tribunal or navigate a route to settlement of claims. The support we provide also extends to offering training and learning opportunities for our members, so it would be great if you had experience in, or at least in interest in designing and delivery of training.  

A day at work could be dealing with simple queries relating to investigations or managing absence, working on a caseload of policy or handbook reviews, engaging with members to discuss ER issues, preparing for an Employment Tribunal or Judicial Mediation or working with the team to research and provide advice on more complex issues – no two days are the same! Some travel (mostly within Scotland) is required as we have member companies in every area of the country, and the occasional visit to Employment Tribunals in England and Wales.

Our ideal candidate will be 2 – 3 years PQE although other candidates with different experience will also be considered. It would be great if you had experience of advising on trade union issues, involving collective bargaining, and a broad understanding of the legislation surrounding it. 

On a broader level, you would ideally have an excellent level of understanding of Employment Law and good knowledge of how this translates into best practice in an industrial/commercial setting, especially where it relates to Disciplinaries, Grievances, Absence and Performance Management, as well as more complex areas such as Collective Redundancy, TUPE, Discrimination and Equal Pay. 

You will need to bring confidence and credibility, to be comfortable in providing clear, concise and correct advice, and be prepared to translate complex case law and employment law into language that helps our members deal with their issues in a practical manner. You will be organised in both managing your time and your workload. 

Our team is hugely supportive and a genuine team, so we share our knowledge and experience to meet our members’ needs. Our offices are in Central Glasgow, and we operate an informal hybrid working arrangement which typically allows for one day per week working from home although with flexibility either way as required; we value a good work and life balance, and do not have a long hours culture. 

You should be a qualified solicitor in either Scotland or England & Wales holding a current relevant Law Society Practising Certificate for the role. We have an excellent benefits package, with 33 days leave, company sick pay, Cycle to Work scheme, and a generous pension provision. This role has the added benefit of a fully funded Company Electric Car leased on your behalf, for both business and personal use, so a current driving licence is required. 

It's possible that we will run two rounds of interviews, in person, so please indicate any range of dates where you might not be available to meet. Applications should be via CV, and if you would like to include a covering letter you can do so. We look forward to reading about you.