Associate Corporate Counsel, Investigations and Employment

SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

Exelixis is seeking a seasoned Associate Corporate Counsel, Investigations and Employment to join the Legal Department’s General & Administrative (G&A) Legal group, reporting to the Senior Director and Counsel, Employment and Public Affairs.  The primary responsibility of this newly established position focuses on conducting internal investigations arising from the company’s broad and complex, highly-regulated operations.  In addition, this role will include significant support for general legal advice and counsel on matters arising from the Human Resources organization.  These include, without exception, labor and employment policies, oversight of litigations and dispute management, and transactional support on HR matters.  The successful candidate will be an integral member of the Employment Law function and the Legal Department, working closely with colleagues and management in their department, as well as independently in a dynamic, collegial environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct thorough and objective investigations into employee relations, legal, ethics and compliance matters

• Prepare comprehensive investigation reports and recommendations for corrective actions

• Draft, develop, and revise investigation templates, policies, and training materials

• Advise and counsel senior management, managers, and the company’s HR team concerning employment law issues including hiring, leaves, and terminations

• Stay apprised of relevant employment laws and regulations to ensure compliance and best practices

• Manage pre-litigation disputes and employment litigation matters

• Identify and evaluate potential legal and compliance risks and provide recommendations to HR and managers

• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Education:

• BS/BA degree with 9 years of experience, and

• JD degree is required with 1 year of experience.

• The candidate must be admitted to or otherwise authorized to practice (e.g., registered in-house counsel status) in California

Experience:

• 2 years or more of experience as counsel in a law firm and/or in-house legal environment focusing on employment law counseling, litigation and/or investigations

• Demonstrated ability to conduct timely and detailed investigations, including fact collection, conducting interviews, and making recommendations

• Client counseling is required and employment litigation experience is preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact and communicate verbally and in writing effectively senior leaders, members of management, and employees at all levels of the company

• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills, especially in complex and nuanced situations

• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly to internal stakeholders

• Excellent planning, organization and time management skills, attention to detail, ability to handle multiple tasks, and work in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment

• Can proactively and independently develop and propose creative solutions for complex problems and implement organizational or team objectives in a professional and timely manner

• Is a collegial team player with demonstrated drive and initiative

• Has a collaborative client-service mindset and works independently with clients to meet their needs

• Communicates effectively with outside vendors/partners and serves as a liaison between outside counsel and key internal stakeholders to help drive matters and issues to resolution

• Takes ownership of and responsibility for work product (including executing tasks independently and timely) and re-prioritizes work/deliverables as necessary

• Demonstrates mature judgment and possesses a high sense of integrity and professionalism

• Possesses a sense of humor and perspective.

• Has strong computer skills in document preparation and data presentation (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Environment: primarily working indoors, performing desk work.

• Infrequent travel may be required.

• Our office is a modern, open-plan space that fosters collaborations and creativity.  Teams work closely together, sharing ideas and solutions in a supportive atmosphere.  We provide all necessary equipment, including dual monitors and ergonomic chairs, to ensure a comfortable workspace.

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