Back to Job Search

Legal Counsel/ Senior Paralegal - Employment Law

Location

City of London, London

Salary

Up to £246.15 per day + Plus Holiday Pay *Dependent on experience*

Sector

Legal Jobs

Type

Hybrid

Contract Type

Temporary

Job Ref

BBBH113883

Posted

Aug 25, 2026

Expiry

Sep 8, 2026

apply now

Legal Counsel/ Senior Paralegal - Employment Law

Temporary Contract: September 2026 - 31 December 2026
Location: London / Hybrid
Industry: Media & Entertainment
Please note: This role is to start ASAP - you must be immediately available.

The Opportunity

A leading global media and entertainment business is looking for an experienced Senior Employment Legal professional to join its international employment and compliance function on an interim contract basis.
This role would suit a Senior Employment Paralegal, Legal Counsel or Newly Qualified Employment Lawyer who has strong UK employment law experience and is looking to broaden their exposure to international employment matters within a fast-paced, global organisation.
Working closely with the Executive Director, International Employment & Compliance, you will support a broad range of employee-related legal matters across the UK and international markets, partnering closely with the People Team and wider Legal function.

Key Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day support and advice across a broad range of UK and international employment law matters.
Support employee relations matters, including disciplinary, grievance and performance processes.
Assist with employee investigations across UK, European and APAC markets.
Support individual and collective consultation processes, including redundancy and restructuring exercises.
Advise on employment documentation, contracts, policies, exits and other employee lifecycle matters.
Partner closely with People Team stakeholders to provide pragmatic, commercially focused employment law advice.
Support workforce representation matters, including works councils and other employee representative bodies.
Monitor legal and regulatory developments and advise on their impact on policies, processes and employment practices.
Support employment litigation and work with external counsel where required.
Assist with people compliance queries, investigations, audits and regulatory requests.
Support the development of employment law guidance and training for People Team and business stakeholders.
Provide support on UK immigration and visa sponsorship compliance, working alongside internal teams and external advisers.
Assist with global mobility matters and liaise with external counsel and other third parties.
Support the wider Legal and Business Affairs team on employment compliance and related projects.

About You

We are particularly interested in candidates coming from one of the following backgrounds:

Senior Employment Paralegal with significant hands-on UK employment law experience.
Newly Qualified Employment Lawyer with strong UK employment experience gained in private practice or in-house.
Employment Legal Counsel with around 2+ years' PQE and exposure to international employment matters.

Key Requirements

Qualified as a lawyer in the UK, Australia or New Zealand, or an experienced senior employment paralegal with equivalent practical expertise.
Strong, demonstrable experience of UK employment law is essential, regardless of jurisdiction of qualification.
Experience advising on employee relations, investigations, disciplinary and grievance matters, redundancies/restructuring and employment documentation.
Exposure to international employment law matters, particularly across Europe and/or APAC, is highly desirable.
Comfortable working with People/HR teams and senior business stakeholders.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical and commercially focused advice.
Able to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
A proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused approach.
Experience with employment compliance, immigration or global mobility matters would be advantageous.
Exposure to AI in the workplace, including advising on legal, regulatory, privacy, compliance and risk considerations, would be beneficial.
Experience within media, entertainment, technology or another fast-paced international business would be advantageous.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Senior Employment Paralegal or Newly Qualified Employment Lawyer to gain broad international exposure and work closely with a senior employment legal function within a globally recognised creative business.

Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

Share this job

Have a question?

Maddy Laing

Recruitment Consultant | Office Temp Support

020 7569 9321

Email Maddy Laing

view profile

27 minutes ago

Sales Executive - B2B Events

South West London, London

£27000.00 - £30000 per annum + Uncapped Commission

Permanent

Handle Recruitment is working with an award-winning events and conference business to recruit a junior sales professional!Location: Hybrid, 4 days per week in West LondonSalary: Competitive base salary plus uncapped commissionThe OpportunityOur client is a leading producer of investment conferences within Africa's energy sector, with a strong reputation for delivering high-profile international events for senior decision-makers. Their flagship conference is widely regarded as the premier event for Africa's power and energy sectors, alongside a portfolio of targeted investment meetings held in emerging markets with strong power generation potential.Recent events have taken place in global locations including Lisbon, Brussels, Miami, Cape Town, Cartagena, Lima, Panama City, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic sectors globally, the African power sector. The successful candidate will be responsible for selling delegate passes across a portfolio of award-winning conferences, ranging from long-established flagship events to newer initiatives aimed at developing future industry leaders.The RoleReporting to the Group Director, Sales Performance, the Delegate Sales Executive position is a phone-based sales role focused on building new relationships and developing existing client accounts. The ideal candidate will be professional, commercially minded and confident, with a clear understanding of effective sales processes.They will be a self-starter who sets realistic but ambitious targets, tracks performance accurately and demonstrates a strong desire for continuous improvement.Key Responsibilities Selling delegate passes over the phone to existing and prospective clients in both English and French to meet revenue targetsCreating, developing and maintaining strong client relationships through a consultative sales approach, clearly demonstrating the value of attending conferencesStaying informed on market developments and identifying new growth areas for salesMaintaining high standards of customer careSupporting the development of sales strategies and initiatives with the line manager to drive conference and personal growthLiaising with marketing and management teams to follow up on enquiries, upselling opportunities, database updates, new business, group sales and reportingMonitoring and evaluating competitor activitySupporting accounts teams to ensure timely payment of customer invoicesKnowledge, Skills & Behaviours Commercially minded with strong market and product awarenessExcellent listening, communication and interpersonal skillsStrong organisational and time management abilitiesConfident, resilient and able to perform well under pressureCustomer-focused with strong problem-solving skillsAbility to negotiate effectively and build rapport quicklyHighly driven, ambitious and tenacious with a strong desire to exceed targetsDemonstrates effective objection handling, credibility and trust-building skillsFlexible and willing to travel internationally when requiredUnderstanding of French-speaking and/or Spanish-speaking business cultures is advantageousApply below today to proceed your application to the next stage! Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

38 minutes ago

Accounts Receivable Manager - Retail

London

£250 - £300 per day

Temporary

We are looking for an experienced Accounts Receivable Manager to join a growing Group Finance team within a newly established shared services function. This is a key role responsible for overseeing the AR and collections function, driving effective credit control, maintaining strong customer relationships and supporting the development of best-practice OTC processes across a global finance function. Responsibilities: Oversee customer invoicing, statements, payment allocation and collectionsMonitor overdue accounts and credit exposure, taking action to minimise bad debtMaintain strong customer relationships and resolve billing queries and disputesWork with Commercial and Supply Chain teams to resolve issues around billing, returns, deductions, credit notes and paymentsManage relationships with third-party credit insurance companies and brokers, ensuring appropriate cover and complianceWork with global OTC teams to develop and maintain consistent Credit and Collections processes and controlsMonitor daily transactions across Stripe, PayPal, Afterpay and ClearpayProduce and review AR, collections, insurance and credit risk reporting to support Group cashflow forecastingManage the month-end close, including AR sub-ledger to General Ledger reconciliationLead, develop and train the AR team, managing objectives, performance and workloadSupport internal and external audits, compliance activities and ad hoc finance projects Requirements: Strong Credit Control, Collections and Global OTC experience is essentialExperience managing credit risk, customer exposure and bad debtCICM certificationExperience managing third-party credit insurance companies/brokersPrevious experience within a global/multinational or Shared Services environment is desirableExperience with global process improvement or transformation projects is advantageousLuxury, beauty or FMCG experience would be beneficialPrevious experience managing and developing an AR/Collections teamStrong Excel and ERP systems experienceExcellent communication, organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to work to tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

46 minutes ago

Accounts Payable Specialist - Retail

London

£160 - £175 per day

Temporary

We are looking for an experienced interim Accounts Payable Coordinator to join a growing Group Finance team within a newly established shared services function. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong AP experience to join a fast-paced environment, take ownership of the AP process and help drive best practice across the wider finance function. Responsibilities:Process and review supplier invoices, ensuring accuracy and compliance with internal policies and proceduresPrepare and process supplier payments via electronic transfers and other payment methodsReconcile supplier statements and investigate and resolve any discrepancies promptlyMaintain accurate and up-to-date AP records, ensuring all supporting documentation is properly maintainedLiaise with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve invoice and payment queriesEnsure AP processes are carried out in line with company policies, controls and proceduresSupport the month-end close process, including reconciliations and preparation of relevant financial informationProvide documentation and information required for internal and external audit processesIdentify issues within AP processes and support improvements to systems and ways of workingWork collaboratively with the wider Finance team to ensure an efficient and effective shared services function Requirements:3+ years' experience within an Accounts Payable role is essentialPrevious experience using NetSuite is essentialStrong understanding of Accounts Payable processes and core accounting principlesExperience working with finance systems/ERP platforms, with NetSuite experience particularly importantMust be immediately available to start Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

posted 20 hours ago

Interim Payroll Administrator

London

£30000 - £35000 per annum

Temporary

Handle are currently recruiting for an Interim Payroll Administrator with a rapidly growing international retailer. The business is expanding quickly, with significant growth planned, and the Payroll team is growing to support that expansion across UK & EMEA.This is a varied role for someone who enjoys working with data, solving queries and making sure the detail behind payroll is accurate and under control. Importantly, this isn't a role where you'll physically run the payroll. The roleYou'll support the wider Payroll function across a range of administrative, data and vendor-related activities.Key responsibilities:Check and validate payroll dataMaintain and update employee recordsManage the payroll inbox and respond to queriesInvestigate discrepancies and follow up on issuesMaintain payroll and vendor recordsLiaise with outsourced payroll providersSupport payroll audits and data requestsComplete payroll checks and reconciliationsSupport joiners, leavers and employee changesWork across UK & EMEA payroll activityAssist with process improvements and wider payroll projects What we're looking for:1-2+ years' payroll experienceGood understanding of payroll administration and dataStrong attention to detail and accuracyComfortable working with Excel and large amounts of dataExperience managing queries or a busy inboxConfident communicating with internal teams and external vendorsOrganised and able to manage competing prioritiesProactive approach to investigating and resolving issuesComfortable working in a fast-paced, constantly changing environmentExperience with outsourced payroll providers and/or EMEA payroll would be a bonus This would suit someone who wants to develop their payroll career, gain international exposure and work in a business that is growing quickly. Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

posted 20 hours ago

Interim Payroll Systems Analyst

London

£50000 - £70000 per annum

Temporary

Handle are currently recruiting for a Payroll Systems Analyst with a rapidly growing international retailer.The business is expanding quickly, with significant growth planned, and its Payroll infrastructure now needs to evolve alongside it. With multiple systems and outsourced payroll providers, there is a real opportunity for someone to come in and improve how everything works together.The roleYou'll be a key person in helping to make Payroll more streamlined, accurate and scalable across UK & EMEA.Key responsibilities:Manage and maintain payroll data across multiple systemsAnalyse payroll data and identify discrepancies, trends and issuesInvestigate system/data issues and work with vendors to resolve themImprove processes, data flow and system integrationWork closely with outsourced payroll providersSupport system changes, testing and improvementsChallenge existing processes and identify more efficient ways of workingWork closely with Finance, HR and IT to improve the wider payroll infrastructure What we're looking for:Strong payroll systems/data experienceExcellent analytical and problem-solving skillsExperience working with multiple systems and/or outsourced payroll providersStrong Excel and data skillsA genuinely hands-on and curious approachSomeone who isn't afraid to ask "why are we doing it this way?"Comfortable working in a fast-paced, constantly changing environmentUK payroll experience, ideally with some EMEA exposureUKG and MyTime experience would be a bonus, but isn't essential This would suit someone who enjoys getting into the detail, fixing problems and improving the way things work, rather than simply maintaining the status quo. Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

1 day ago

Senior HR Operations Manager - Media

London

£65000.00 - £70000 per annum + bonus and great benefits

Permanent

Senior HR Operations Manager - London basedHybrid | 3 days per week in the office We're working with a growing media business that is currently on the lookout for an experienced HR Operations Manager e to take ownership all things HR operations, systems and processes. This is a key new hire for the team, and a brilliant role for someone who enjoys making things work better, building the infrastructure to enable the wider People function to deliver a brilliant people experience. Heading up a small team, you'll manage a wide reaching remit across the full employee lifecycle - and rather than building from scratch you will be coming into a decent set up with strong foundations. This role will be all about elevating and streamlining what they have, and futureproofing them ready for continued growth. They are keen to find someone who is just as comfortable rolling up their sleeves and fixing things as they are thinking strategically about how HR should operate in the future. Ideal candidates:You'll have solid experience working in a specialist HR Ops remitPassionate about all things HR Ops, you'll bring ideas to the table and be ahead of the curve - especially on AI and automation!Experienced driving automation, process improvement and operational efficiency.Data driven, strong on reporting and elevating systems to improve decision-making.A strong understanding of the employee lifecycle, including payroll, benefits, reward and HR administration.Knowledgeable on UK employment legislation, compliance and governance.Comfortable leading and developing a small team.Use to managing multiple projects and stakeholders in a fast-moving environment.Most importantly, you'll be pragmatic, solutions-focused and naturally curious about how things can be done better. There is continued investment and growth ahead, this is an opportunity to have real influence over how the HR operations function evolves within a growing organisation. if this sounds like you then please apply! Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

1 day ago

People Partner

London

£80000.00 - £85000 per annum + great benefits

Permanent

People Business Partner London (Hybrid - 4 days office / 1 day home) We are working with a global fintech company which is looking for a commercial People Partner to join their London team. This is an exciting, growing organisation of c400, a market disruptor, and at that stage of maturity you can make change happen and have a real impact. A brilliant growth opportunity for a Business Partner looking for a next step role with clear room to grow. This is a recently reshaped role in the team, a broad generalist remit covering the full employee lifecycle. It's a role in which you will balance strategic partnering with hands on delivery, translating business priorities into pragmatic people plans, coaching and advising senior leaders, and using data to drive insight. This is a sleeves-rolled-up team environment, with an entrepreneurial and agile approach rather than a process heavy corporate people function. A significant part of the role will be the ownership of the culture piece: engagement, EDI and wellbeing. You will bring a passion for creating a meaningful people experience and be able to connect EDI and engagement activity back to the wider HR strategy and business plan. Employee relations is also a focus area. You'll need to be comfortable leading on ER and managing complex and sensitive cases. Although they have a low volume of cases, the team work in very close partnership with their stakeholders, and have a high touch approach, staying close and guiding leaders through processes. About YouAround 6/7 years of progressive HR experience, with the past couple of years operating at BP level.Commercially minded, pragmatic and comfortable operating with autonomy in a fast-moving environment.A track record of leading employee engagement and EDI initiatives Demonstrable experience managing complex employee relations cases Strong relationship building and influencing skillsA drive to progress within your role and a genuine passion for what you doFinancial services/ FinTech or another regulated-sector background is a strong advantageThis is an exciting and progressive role with tons of scope to develop, broaden your exposure and grow within the business over time. It would suit someone ambitious and hungry to keep building their career. If this all sounds like you then please apply! Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

1 day ago

Theatre Production Accountant

South West London, London

£70000 - £75000 per annum

Permanent

We're working with a growing theatre company based in SW London/Woking, looking for a Senior Finance Manager to lead the Production Finance function and support a busy portfolio of live productions. This is a senior, hands-on role with responsibility for a team of four, combining production accounting, technical accounting, tax, cash flow and stakeholder management. Responsibilities: Oversee weekly production reporting, providing General Managers with a clear view of pre-production costs, running profits and show-by-show performanceLead and manage a team of 3 production Finance professionals, ensuring timely and accurate production accountsOversee monthly management accounts, group reporting and production profit forecastsManage and oversee production, group, SPV and investor cash flow forecasting and reportingEnsure appropriate technical accounting treatment is applied across productions, including consolidation, equity accounting and level of control considerationsOversee taxation and compliance requirements across productions, including Theatre Tax Relief and other relevant production tax mattersEnsure statutory accounts and tax returns are completed accurately and on timeAct as a key point of contact for the annual audit, working closely with auditors and senior finance stakeholdersReview weekly payment runs and work closely with purchase ledger and payroll teams to ensure effective transactional processingContribute to budgeting and reforecasting processes, maintaining accurate show-by-show profit forecastsIdentify and lead process improvement initiatives, making effective use of existing and new finance systemsProvide technical accounting and tax advice to the Productions team and wider business Requirements:ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified accountantStrong experience within live entertainment, theatre or production financeProven experience in production accounting, ideally across multiple live productionsStrong understanding of the technical accounting, taxation and compliance requirements relevant to live productions, including Theatre Tax ReliefPrevious line management experience, with the ability to lead and develop a teamComfortable managing multiple priorities and delivering accurate work to tight deadlinesExperience of process improvement and finance systems, with a track record of improving processes and ways of workingStrong Excel and financial reporting skillsMust be able to commute to Woking and work in the office 3 days per week Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

2 days ago

Bookkeeper - Creative Recuitment Agency

East London, London

£35000.00 - £40000.00 per annum + Generousn Benefits

Permanent

We're working with a growing independent recruitment consultancy specialising in the creative industries, and they are looking for an experienced Finance & Freelance Operations Coordinator to join their London team.This is a varied role that sits across finance, operations and freelancer management, making it an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys having ownership, working closely with people and keeping the detail of a business running smoothly.You'll take responsibility for the day-to-day Accounts Payable function, while also playing a key role in the onboarding and ongoing management of a busy freelance workforce.From processing invoices and running payments through to managing contracts, timesheets, and compliance checks, you'll be central to ensuring freelancers have a seamless experience and are paid accurately and on time.Finance & Accounts PayableOwn the day-to-day Accounts Payable process.Process supplier and freelancer invoices accurately and efficiently.Prepare and manage regular payment runs.Reconcile invoices, payments and accounts.Manage expenses and wider finance administration.Maintain accurate financial records using Xero and other systems.Resolve invoice and payment queries promptly.Liaise with external accountants and provide information as required.Support cash-flow monitoring and financial reporting.Identify opportunities to improve and streamline finance processes as the business grows.Freelance OperationsManage the end-to-end onboarding of freelancers from booking confirmation through to their first day.Collect, check and maintain all required freelancer documentation.Coordinate contracts and ensure paperwork is completed accurately.Manage right-to-work and relevant compliance checks.Support IR35 and employment-status administration where required.Set freelancers up correctly across internal systems.Manage timesheets and ensure they are submitted and approved on time.Act as a key point of contact for freelancers regarding contracts, timesheets, invoicing and payments.Work closely with recruiters to ensure a smooth experience for freelancers and clients.Keep freelancer records accurate and systems fully up to date.We're looking for someone with around 4-5+ years' experience in Accounts Payable, Finance Operations or a similar position. Experience within recruitment, staffing, a creative agency or another freelancer-focused environment would be particularly advantageous, although it isn't essential.Strong Accounts Payable or finance operations experience.Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.Experience managing multiple deadlines and payment cycles.Good working knowledge of accounting software, ideally Xero.Strong Excel/spreadsheet and financial administration skills.The confidence to communicate with freelancers, suppliers, clients and external accountants.A proactive approach to resolving issues and improving processes.The ability to work independently while also being a strong team player.A friendly, approachable and professional manner.This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing, independent recruitment business where you'll have genuine ownership and visibility across the company.You'll work in a close-knit team and have the opportunity to make a real difference to how the finance and freelance operation is managed. As the business continues to grow, there will be scope for you to develop the role, improve processes and help shape the systems that support the next stage of the company's growth.If you're an organised, dependable finance professional who enjoys combining numbers, operations and people, this could be an excellent opportunity to take on a broad and rewarding role within a creative and entrepreneurial environment.Apply now to find out more. Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

2 days ago

Interim Accounts Receivable/Credit Controller

London

£35000 - £42000 per annum

Temporary

We're recruiting for a leading global media and publishing organisation seeking an experienced Credit Controller / Accounts Receivable Coordinator to join their UK finance team.Reporting to the OTC Manager, you'll play a key role in managing customer accounts, driving cash collection and supporting the wider Order-to-Cash process.Key ResponsibilitiesManage a portfolio of customer accounts and proactively chase outstanding invoices.Investigate and resolve payment queries, disputes and account discrepancies.Build strong relationships with customers and internal teams including Sales, Billing and Finance.Coordinate invoice adjustments, billing amendments and customer revisions.Maintain accurate records of customer communications and outstanding balances.Support cash application and wider Accounts Receivable activities.Work closely with the offshore AR team to ensure accurate and timely processing.Use Workday to monitor and maintain customer accounts. About YouPrevious experience in Credit Control, Accounts Receivable or Order-to-Cash.Confident communicating with customers and internal stakeholders.Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.Organised, proactive and comfortable managing multiple accounts.Experience with an ERP/finance system; Workday experience is desirable. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a high-profile organisation and play a key role in achieving cash collection and working capital targets. Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

apply now

View more jobs

for employers

Ready to hire great people?

We provide leading entertainment companies, social networks, global media brands, sports bodies, retailers, and tech platforms with talent solutions that make a difference.

Let's talk!

for jobseekers

Search for your next role

We do things a little differently, a little better, because finding opportunities at great brands should be enjoyable.

go to job search!