Employment Counsel, EMEA
Job Description
Job Summary
\nWe are seeking a proactive, driven, and business-minded Employment Counsel to support our European and Middle Eastern operations, with a strong focus on supporting our Go-To-Marker (GTM) organization. Based in London, you will work closely with BlackLine’s Global Legal Team to partner with our People Team and business leaders to scale and support our face-paced SaaS environment. You will assist in providing day-to-day employment law advice and counsel for a diverse range of jurisdictions including the UK, EU, and Middle East. The ideal candidate is an adaptable, eager-to-learn legal professional who thrives in a fast-paced corporate environment and is looking to grow their expertise in international employment law.
\nResponsibilities and Duties
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- Assist the Associate General Counsel, Global Employment in providing day-to-day advice to HR and management on a variety of employment and compliance issues, including recruiting, employee relations, performance management, leaves of absence, grievances, and disciplinary actions. \n
- Monitor and advise on emerging labor and employment law developments across covered jurisdictions, identify compliance gaps, and develop thorough remediation measures in partnership with key stakeholders. \n
- Support the coordination and management of external local counsel across various jurisdictions including oversight of litigation matters. \n
- Serve as a legal partner to HR and business leaders for our Go-To-Market organization (Sales, Marketing, Customer Success) across EMEA, providing strategic advice tailored to the pace and structure of a high-growth SaaS business. \n
- Advise on employment law aspects of variable and incentive-based compensation, including commission plans, bonuses, and incentive-related disputes. \n
- Assist in drafting, reviewing, and updating employment agreements, offer letters, separation agreements, employee handbooks, and internal HR policies in jurisdictions where BlackLine operates across Europe and the Middle East. \n
- Draft, review, and enforce restrictive covenants (non-competes, non-solicits) and intellectual property agreements specifically designed for enterprise software sales and marketing roles across varying EMEA jurisdictions. \n
- Support the People Team in managing employment-related disputes, claims, and regulatory proceedings, by identifying and mitigating risk for the business. \n
- Develop and deliver training materials for HR and management on evolving employment laws and best practices. \n
Required Qualifications
\nYears of Experience in Related Field: 2 to 5 years of Post-Qualification Experience (PQE) specializing in employment law, gained at a reputable law firm and/or in-house legal department.
\nEducation: Licensed qualified solicitor in England & Wales (or equivalent relevant qualification)
\nTechnical/Specialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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- A pragmatic approach to the law with a desire to provide strategic and well-reasoned advice that balances legal risk with business objectives. \n
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear, actionable advice for non-legal stakeholders. \n
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities, take initiative, and work collaboratively under the guidance of senior team members in a dynamic environment. \n
- Strong interpersonal skills with the confidence to spot issues, assess risks and participate in strategic discussions. \n
Preferred Qualifications
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- Experience supporting and advising on European Works Councils, particularly in France. \n
- Fluency in at least one European language, in addition to English. \n
- Licensed to practice law in both the UK and either the US or an EU member country \n
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