EMEA Employment Lawyer, Director

About this role Position:        Employment Lawyer - Europe, Middle East & Africa Location:       London Job Purpose/Background:   BlackRock is seeking an experienced employment lawyer to join its Employment Legal team of five (5) experienced lawyers in London that provides legal support to BlackRock’s growing business in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) region, across 23 jurisdictions and more than 7,500 employees. The largest office in EMEA is in the UK, and the firm also has significant operations in Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and UAE. The Director-level role provides legal support to Human Resources and all other business groups on the full range of employment law issues that impact BlackRock’s business in the EMEA region.  This includes a wide range of contentious and non-contentious matters including employee relations items (grievances, performance management, disciplinaries, flexible working applications, redundancies, mutual separation agreements, TUPE transfers, Employment Tribunal and Labour Court litigation, ACAS early conciliation, etc.) and advice to the Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, Mobility, Rewards and HR Operations teams within Human Resources. The individual will work with a high degree of autonomy and, once familiar with the BlackRock structure and operating model, with minimum levels of supervision.  The Employment Legal team is highly collaborative, both within region and globally, across a global team of thirteen (13) lawyers with responsibility for employment, incentives and benefits.

Coverage of all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law work in the EMEA region. Working with the HR Employee Relations team, HR Business Partners and business groups to provide legal support and advice on employee relations matters including grievances, performance management matters, disciplinaries, flexible working applications, redundancies, mutual separation agreements, TUPE transfers, Tribunal claims, ACAS early conciliations, Employee DSARs etc. Working with the HR team and business on key strategic business or regulatory projects - previous examples include the UK Employment Rights Act, EU Pay Transparency and FCA Conduct Rules. Working with legal colleagues globally on firm-wide initiatives, such as introduction and use of AI tools and diversity and inclusion initiatives. Working with the department’s Transactions Lawyers, the business and HR on transfers of staff and on the impact on staff of outsourcing, insourcing, new office openings and transaction activities. Advising and working with the Rewards team on compensation and benefits matters including remuneration regulations. Working with the Recruitment Team on employment contracts and review of restrictive covenants for new hire candidates. Advising on both global and local HR Policies and initiatives. Working with the Core Compliance team on staff related regulatory matters such as SMCR, conduct rule breaches, personal trading, gifts and entertainment and outside activities. Proactively identify, address and manage legal risk issues arising with employment law matters within the EMEA region. Liaise as necessary with external counsel, particularly in jurisdictions outside the UK. Other Responsibilities:   Develop and actively manage relationships with key internal stakeholders and external advisers. Conduct training and education sessions where relevant for legal and non-legal members of BlackRock. Knowledge/Experience:   Solicitor / Lawyer qualified in England and Wales or other relevant jurisdiction(s). Strong academic record. Comprehensive relevant employment law experience (gained either in private practice or the in-house legal team of a financial services organisation). Competencies: Develops constructive professional relationships across the firm and with external advisers. Persuasive and influential advisor to internal client base and