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Recognized as a top destination for innovators and champions of inclusion, BNY is where bold ideas meet advanced technology and exceptional talent. Together, we power the future of finance – and this is what #LifeAtBNY is all about. Join us and be part of something extraordinary.

We’re seeking a future team member for the role of Counsel – Employment/Compensation & Benefits to join our Legal team. This role is located in Manchester.

Your role will be to act as a lawyer responsible for delivering effective Legal support to BNY’s EMEA businesses and corporate functions on employment and compensation and benefits issues and will report into the Head of Employment Legal, EMEA, India & APAC and the Global Head of Compensation and Benefits Legal.  It is envisaged that this role will be focussed partially on employment law issues and partially on compensation and benefits issues and will be the primary point person for international (non-U.S.) compensation and benefits legal matters.

You will coordinate work with other lawyers in the EMEA Legal department, including business line and jurisdictional specific lawyers, and with employment and compensation and benefits lawyers globally to deliver a high standard of legal advice that is tailored to BNY’s business models and risk appetite. 

Primary responsibilities (Key parts to the job role): 

An attorney with responsibility for supporting and providing timely advice to BNY’s businesses and corporate functions operating in various jurisdictions across the region in relation to employment and compensation and benefits issues, in partnership with BNY’s People Team, in particular:

• Advising on employment, labour and compensation and benefits legal issues arising in connection with business acquisitions and disposals, including outsourcing transactions and TUPE;
• Advising on and reviewing employment agreements, employment and compensation and benefits policies and employee communications;
• Providing legal advice on restructuring and redundancy arrangements;
• Providing legal advice on agreed employee separation arrangements, including occasional negotiation of settlement agreements;
• Providing legal advice on works council, collective bargaining and collective employee consultation issues;
• Advising on employee privacy issues, including data subject access requests;
• Advising on employee relations and employment litigation matters;
• Providing advice on UK and EU regulatory requirements relating to compensation and benefits in financial services;
• Drafting and advising on terms of incentive plans and related award agreements (whether equity or cash);
• Advising on and/or sourcing advice in relation to pensions law issues (for employer) in order to be able to action as required;
• Advising on implementation and management of and implementation of changes to employee benefit plans;
• Building relationships with relevant People Team and business and business partner managers to ensure understanding of relevant operations and identification of issues and solutions;
• Support to the instruction and management of external counsel, both in the UK and overseas (including assistance with analysis and collation of advice from such counsel); 
• Assistance with the development of formal training sessions for business colleagues on relevant topics, e.g. documentary standards/policies/market industry issues/legal issues; and
• Informal knowledge-sharing within the legal team.

Requirements (what we are looking for):

The successful candidate will have circa 5+ years PQE (or equivalent experience) with a legal background in employment and compensation and benefits law, preferably with significant financial services experience.   They will also have, amongst other technical skills and experience: 

• Good understanding of UK employment law and experience of managing cross-border employment law issues; 
• Working knowledge of TUPE, in particular in connection with outsourcing transactions;
• Experience in advising on employment and compensation and benefits implications of acquisitions and disposals;
• Working knowledge of the management of restructuring and redundancies;
• Experience in advising on employee relations investigations and in handling employment disputes, including litigation;
• Working knowledge of employment and compensation and benefits law and relevant financial services regulatory frameworks, including UK/EU compensation and benefits regulatory requirements;
• Experience with drafting and advising on terms of incentive plans and related award agreements (whether equity or cash) 
• Experience in advising (or ability to manage procurement of advice) on UK pensions law issues (for employer) in order to be able to action as required;
• Good understanding of relevant regulatory requirements;
• Experience of frequent interactions with senior HR and business leaders; and
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills.

Some In-house employment legal experience at a global financial institution as well as cross-border employment and global compensation and benefits experience outside of EMEA would be preferred, but not essential.  We encourage candidates to apply, even if they don't meet every requirement, if there is interest and motivation to learn and adapt.

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• America’s Most Innovative Companies, Fortune, 2025
• World’s Most Admired Companies, Fortune 2025
• “Most Just Companies”, Just Capital and CNBC, 2025

Our Benefits and Rewards:

BNY offers highly competitive compensation, benefits, and wellbeing programs rooted in a strong culture of excellence and our pay-for-performance philosophy. We provide access to flexible global resources and tools for your life’s journey. Focus on your health, foster your personal resilience, and reach your financial goals as a valued member of our team, along with generous paid leaves, including paid volunteer time, that can support you and your family through moments that matter. 

BNY is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups/Females/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans.