Greenhouse ·
full-timeDirector, Legal - Employment
Gitlab · Remote Ireland; Remote, United Kingdom
GitLab is an intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps that enables organizations to improve developer productivity and security. This Director, Legal – Employment role is an individual contributor position based remotely in the United Kingdom or Ireland. The successful candidate will manage end-to-end employment law matters across the EMEA region, covering the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and separation. Responsibilities include providing senior-level legal advice, representing the company before works councils and labor courts, and setting regional strategies for managing employment risk. The role requires drafting and negotiating employment documentation, counseling People Business Partners on sensitive employee relations, and building scalable legal processes to support a globally distributed, all-remote workforce. This position is well-suited for an experienced employment lawyer who can balance legal risk with business objectives, independently lead complex litigation and consultation processes, and mentor cross-functional partners. Candidates should be adept at monitoring regional legal changes and translating them into practical, implementable guidance for a high-growth technology environment.
GitLab is the intelligent orchestration platform for DevSecOps. GitLab enables organizations to increase developer productivity, improve operational efficiency, reduce security and compliance risk, and accelerate digital transformation. More than 50 million registered users and more than 50% of the Fortune 100* trust GitLab to ship better, more secure software faster. The same principles built into our products are reflected in how our team works: we embrace AI as a core productivity multiplier, with all team members expected to incorporate AI into their daily workflows to drive efficiency, innovation, and impact. GitLab is where careers accelerate, innovation flourishes, and every voice is valued. Our high-performance culture is driven by our values and continuous knowledge exchange, enabling our team members to reach their full potential while collaborating with industry leaders to solve complex problems. Co-create the future with us as we build technology that transforms how the world develops software. * Fortune 500® is a registered trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, used under license. Claim based on GitLab data. Fortune 100 refers to the top 20% ranked companies in the 2025 Fortune 500 list, published in June 2025. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of GitLab. An overview of this role This position is remote and based in the United Kingdom or Ireland. This is an individual contributor role with no direct reports at this time. You'll own matters end to end rather than manage a team. As Director, Legal – Employment, you will own GitLab’s matters spanning the full employment relationship in EMEA, from recruiting and onboarding through compensation, performance, leave management, separation, and, when necessary, litigation. You will independently lead complex employment law matters end-to-end, including representing GitLab before works councils and labor courts, as well as setting the strategy for managing employment risk in the region. You will also build scalable legal processes to meet the business needs across a globally-distributed, all-remote organization, while sharing subject-matter expertise and mentoring legal colleagues and cross-functional partners. What you’ll do Provide senior, practical employment-law advice to team members and stakeholders across GitLab, balancing legal risk, business objectives, and GitLab’s values, serving as a subject-matter resource for legal colleagues and cross-functional partners. Directly manage matters across the employment lifecycle, including recruiting and onboarding, compensation, performance management, leave management, employee relations, works council processes, organizational changes, separation, and post-employment issues. Directly negotiate and engage with works councils and employee representative bodies across EMEA jurisdictions, and lead consultation processes for organizational change. Represent GitLab in, or directly manage outside counsel appearances for, labor courts, employment tribunals, and agency investigations, including case strategy, fact development, witness preparation, and settlement decisions. Counsel People Business Partners, Team Member Relations partners, and business leaders on complex and sensitive team-member relations concerns. Draft, review, negotiate, and maintain employment agreements, separation agreements, policies, templates, and related documentation across multiple jurisdictions. Own employment compliance across EMEA and incorporate outside-counsel input into strategies that match the business. Monitor and analyze changes in employment, privacy, and related laws; identify legal risks; and translate developments into practical recommendations and implementable guidance. Lead the development and continuous improvement of scalable employment-law processes, systems, playbooks, templates, and supporting documentation for the Legal and People teams. Provide employment advice in regions outside EMEA as needed. Use GitLab to collaborate transparently and work effectively in an asynchronous, globally distributed environment. What you’ll bring A Juris Doctor (JD), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or local equivalent, admitted to practice in at least one EMEA jurisdiction. Substantial, firsthand experience advising a multinational company with works councils across EMEA, including direct hands-on negotiation and consultation experience. A demonstrated track record of advocating or managing outside counsel in labor courts, employment tribunals and analogous proceedings . Deep knowledge of employment compliance requirements across EMEA, with the judgment to identify when advice from local counsel is needed. Experience counseling People Business Partners, Team Member Relations partners, and business leaders on sensitive and complex employment matters, including works council strategy. Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating employment agreements, separation agreemen
| Role | Director, Legal - Employment |
|---|---|
| Company | Gitlab |
| Location | Remote Ireland; Remote, United Kingdom |
| Compensation | Not disclosed |
| Posted | 2026-09-29 |
| Deadline | Rolling |
Typical process for this type of role
A general guide — the exact steps for this specific listing may vary; check the original posting for details.
- 1ApplicationSubmit your resume through the apply link.
- 2ScreeningRecruiter reviews your background against the role.
- 3AssessmentA technical test, assignment, or coding round, depending on the role.
- 4Interview(s)One or more rounds with the hiring team.
- 5OfferOffer letter with compensation and start date.
Before you apply
0/4Director, Legal - Employment at Gitlab: frequently asked questions
- What is the salary for this role?
- Gitlab has not stated compensation in the listing. Check the original posting or ask during the application process.
- Is the Director, Legal - Employment position remote, hybrid or onsite?
- The listing marks this role as remote, with Remote Ireland; Remote, United Kingdom as the location.
- What is the application deadline?
- Gitlab has not listed a fixed deadline, so apply early in case the opening is filled.
- How do I apply for the Director, Legal - Employment role?
- Use the Apply button on this page. It opens the original listing on job-boards.greenhouse.io, where you submit your application with the company.
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