Job Description:
Title: Employment Counsel, Corporate
Locations: McLean, VA
Workstyle: Onsite (5 days a week)
Mars does not sponsor visas for this role. This position is not eligible for relocation benefits
The Employment Counsel, Corporate role provides high-quality legal support and subject‑matter expertise on various employment law matters including global projects and initiatives, executive matters, global, regional and local level corporate matters such as Reward and Pay Equity/Transparency, Inclusion and Diversity, EEO and Workforce Data Reporting, Compliance, Ombudsman, Corporate Development transactions, and related litigation. This role plays an important part in scaling and strengthening Mars’ corporate global employment law function. The counsel role partners with various internal stakeholders and external advisors to ensure legal solutions are aligned to business objectives and evolving legal requirements.
What will be your key responsibilities?
Global Strategic Employment Priorities and Projects Support:
Partner and support on global employment law priorities and projects including initial review and coordination of global policies and practices (e.g., contractors, AI); coordinate with regional Mars counsel and local counsel on cross‑border and global initiatives as needed.
Executive Matters:
Support global employment law function with executive matters including preparing initial agreements, updating templates and assist in review of restrictive covenants, investigations, claims, hires, departures and related agreements.
Compliance/EEO/Inclusion & Diversity:
Serve as a primary Legal resource for EEO and employment-related federal contractor compliance and agency matters in partnership with Associate Relations. Partner with global I&D team, Corporate Affairs and other stakeholders for ongoing legal review of communications and other matters.
Pay Data Analytics, Reporting & Transparency:
Partner and provide support to Rewards, P&O and Talent Acquisition on global, regional and local pay transparency and equity reviews and legally required reporting including participation in project calls and coordination; review and advise on evolving global, regional, state, and local requirements and associated risks.
Corporate Development:
Provide support on employment-related matters in M&A context including review of agreements, diligence and related matters and identify issues for further review and escalation.
Litigation:
Support on discovery matters and litigation related to the above.
Collaboration & Enablement:
Report to and partner closely with the Assistant General Counsel,
Global Employment - Corporate; manage outside counsel; cross-functional coordination and project management across business segments, Human Resources and Legal.
What are we looking for?
Juris Doctor (JD) from accredited law school required
5- 7 years of relevant legal experience ideally with in-house experience at a multinational company
Broad-based legal experience supporting on employment matters, ideally with a global, cross-segment perspective
Strong business acumen and stakeholder partnership
Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Capable of analyzing complex legal and policy issues from a commercial perspective.
Good relationship and influencing skills.
Excellent organization, execution, and project management skills.
Strong, flexible team player and collaborator
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
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Skills Required
- Juris Doctor (JD) from accredited law school
- 5-7 years of relevant legal experience
- Experience supporting employment matters with a global, cross-segment perspective
- In-house legal experience at a multinational company
- Knowledge of EEO, federal contractor compliance, pay equity/transparency, and related reporting
- Strong business acumen and stakeholder partnership skills
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to analyze complex legal and policy issues from a commercial perspective
- Experience managing outside counsel and cross-functional project coordination
- Strong project management, execution, and collaboration skills
Mars Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Mars and has not been reviewed or approved by Mars.
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Healthcare Strength — The benefits package is positioned as comprehensive, with broad medical coverage and additional protections like life insurance and short- and long-term disability. Mental health support is emphasized, including free mental health services and wellbeing programming under initiatives such as Mars Be Well.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted as market-leading in the U.S., with an example of 18 weeks fully paid for both parents. Additional family-related leave types such as sick time for caregiving and bereavement leave are also described as part of the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are described as strong, including 401(k) matching (with a 6% match cited) and pension plans in some cases. The broader package also references retirement savings options and contributions aligned to local market practice, supporting long-term financial security.
Mars Insights
What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™. We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
