<!-- Introduction --><div class="feature-text"><h2> Your new role</h2><div style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">We’re looking for an&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Employment Lawyer</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;to join our in-house legal team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in providing expert legal advice across a wide range of employment matters, partnering with our People and ER teams to help us stay ahead of the curve.</span></div><p style="margin:0px;font-size:inherit;padding:5px 0px;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">We offer hybrid working with our '3 days together, 2 days wherever' approach, so this role will be a mix of working from our Doncaster Support office and home.&nbsp;</span></p></div><!-- Responsibilities --><div><h3>What you'll be doing</h3><ul style="margin:10px 0px 15px 20px;padding:0px 0px 0px 20px;"><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Reporting to the Group Senior Legal Counsel (Employment &amp; Commercial), deputising for them when necessary&nbsp;</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Responsible and accountable for the delivery of timely, specialist legal advice on a range of contentious and non-contentious &nbsp;employment matters including contracts, disciplinary and grievance, absence, family leave, redundancy and restructuring, discrimination, &nbsp;whistleblowing&nbsp;</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Work closely with the ER function on day to day matters advising on managing and resolving cases, identifying and managing risk, with &nbsp;a focus on strategy&nbsp;</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Draft contracts of employment and undertake periodic reviews, responsible for ensuring they reflect best practice and are kept legally up &nbsp;to date&nbsp;</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Support the Group People function in drafting, developing and renewing the Group’s employment policies, ensuring they reflect best &nbsp;practice &nbsp;</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Leading the day to day management of Employment Tribunal claims from start to finish with minimal supervision and where appropriate &nbsp;providing advocacy at preliminary Tribunal hearings. Advising on legal and commercial risks and setting the defence strategy.&nbsp;</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Prepare and deliver presentations/ training sessions to educate and up-skill the Group People team on a variety of topics&nbsp;</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Support the Group Senior Legal Counsel - Employment and Group General Counsel in advising on and implementing key projects with &nbsp;employment law aspects, including those which involve large scale consultations&nbsp;</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Represent the Group companies positively in interactions with external bodies and opposing Counsel &nbsp;</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;">Responsible for keeping the business up to date with legal developments and horizon scanning for changes which will impact policy and &nbsp;practice, preparing regular legal updates for circulation to relevant business areas</li></ul></div><!-- Ideal Candidate --><div><h3>The role is for you if...</h3><p style="margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:inherit;font-size:inherit;">Don't worry if you don't meet all of the requirements - if you feel that you have the skills and experience for this role, then we'd really welcome your application.&nbsp;</p><ul style="margin:10px 0px 15px 20px;padding:0px 0px 0px 20px;"><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:12pt 0px 0pt;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">A&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">qualified solicitor (4+ years PQE)</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;with strong employment law expertise.</span></li><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">A confident legal expert with excellent research, analytical, and drafting skills.</span></li><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">A natural communicator who can break down complex legal advice into clear, practical guidance.</span></li><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Strong drafting and negtotiation skillls with a well honed ability to persuade both clients and&nbsp;opponents</span></li><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Ability and confidence to give tailored legal advice hwich reflects sound judgement of commercial risk&nbsp;</span></li><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Great at building relationships so that you can work as a true business partner, giving reasoned opinions on strategy and approach, not just a list of options.&nbsp;</span></li><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">A commercially minded professional who balances legal risk with business priorities.</span></li><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">A relationship builder, comfortable working with colleagues at all levels of the business.</span></li><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">A proactive, organised individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment.</span></li><li style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Previous in-house experience is a plus, but not essential.</span></li></ul></div><!-- Package Description --><div><h3>About DFS</h3><p style="margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:inherit;font-size:inherit;">Did you know a DFS sofa is in one-third of Britain’s homes?&nbsp;</p><p style="margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:inherit;font-size:inherit;">Since 1969, we’ve been creating, marketing, and selling sofas that reflect people’s unique styles and tastes. We’ve always led the market, bringing comfort and great design to communities both online and in person.</p><p style="margin:0px 0px 20px;padding:0px;color:inherit;font-size:inherit;">We’re the UK’s leading sofa retail specialist, but here’s the secret to our success - it’s our people. They’re at the heart of what we do, and together, they’re crafting us towards our ambitious future.</p></div><!-- About the Company --><div><h3>DFS Benefits</h3><ul style="margin:10px 0px 15px 20px;padding:0px 0px 0px 20px;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:12pt 0px 0pt;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Car or&nbsp;car allowance</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:12pt 0px 0pt;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Annual bonus</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;based on business performance.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Hybrid working</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;– 3 days in Doncaster, 2 days from home.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">, with the option to buy up to 5 extra days.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Enhanced family leave</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;– including maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption leave.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Paid volunteering day</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;to support a cause you care about.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Generous staff discounts</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;– 30% off DFS and Sofology products, plus big-brand savings at ASOS, IKEA, and more.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Wellbeing perks</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;– including an Employee Assistance Programme, healthcare services, and discounted gym memberships.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Pension &amp; savings</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;– Group pension and Sharesave schemes.</span></p></li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;"><p style="line-height:1.74;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin:0pt 0px;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Life assurance &amp; sick pay</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;for added peace of mind.</span></p></li><li style="margin:0px 0px 5px;padding:0px;font-size:inherit;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">Private medical insurance</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;margin:0px;padding:0px;">&nbsp;(individual cover)</span></li></ul></div><!-- Apply Button --><a href="https://apply.dfscareers.co.uk/members/?j=2587&amp;lang=en&amp;" class="btn btn-apply apply_bottom">Apply<i class="fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a>