The Senior Employment Counsel will provide leadership, direction and counsel in the area of employment and labor law matters for the company and its subsidiaries. Specific items include recruiting and hiring decisions; leave and accommodation issues; wage and hour law; compensation and benefits; restrictive covenants; employee discipline and termination decisions; reductions in force; responding to EEOC and other state and/or federal agency charges; collective bargaining agreements and labor arbitrations; and the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of employment-based policies and procedures.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Providing legal advice and direction to Human Resources Department and managers to foster compliance with a wide range of labor and employment laws, including Title VII, the ADA, ADEA, FCRA, FFCRA, FLSA, FMLA, OFCCP guidelines, and various other federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Serving as key contact and thought leader for issues related to labor and employment law matters
• Proactively develop strategies to mitigate legal risk to the company and its subsidiaries s related to labor and employment-based decisions
• Developing and providing employment and human resource policy recommendations for continuous improvement
• Monitor legislation, regulations, case law, and government enforcement activities related to labor and employment law issues and provide proactive, strategic advice to relevant business stakeholders
• Providing and coordinating legal counsel on employment-based issues and decisions
• Investigating charges of discrimination and other complaints filed against the company with federal or state administrative agencies
• Participating in on-site investigations, interviews, and audits conducted by federal or state administrative agencies
• Assisting in preparation of company witnesses to provide testimony or information in formal legal or agency proceedings
• Negotiating and drafting a wide variety of employment-related agreements, including restrictive covenant agreements, collective bargaining agreements, separation agreements, and agreements with contract labor providers
• Investigating, responding to, and resolving pre-suit demands
• Overseeing and managing employment-related claims and litigation
• Working with outside counsel as necessary to coordinate labor and employment activities
• Partnering with Human Resources Department to prepare written responses to EEOC and other state and/or federal agencies
• Driving education, training, and communication across the enterprise to ensure up-to-date knowledge of applicable employment laws and risk-mitigation strategies
• Coordinating labor arbitrations and advising on sophisticated labor relations topics

Skills, Knowledge, Abilities and Traits:

Critical Competencies

• Proven ability to independently lead and execute all facets of challenging engagements from preliminary/conceptual advice through resolution
• Highly polished and effective negotiation, communication and drafting skills, including those suitable for interaction with very senior managers and executives
• Skilled in working collaboratively as a key player on multiple teams simultaneously and coordinating with multi-jurisdictional business partners
• Proven ability to initiate actions and follow-up actions with minimal supervision

Education/Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of labor and employment law experience (with at least 4 years of sophisticated labor and employment experience with a recognized law firm)
• Significant expertise in process management, technology deployment, and metrics development
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Admitted to practice law and a member in good standing of a state bar

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected by law.