Senior Employment Counsel

Position description

We are looking for an exceptional and dynamic employment lawyer to join our team in Austin, TX. As a key member of our legal team, you will drive initiatives and manage critical matters relating to employment compliance. We are seeking a proactive, solution-oriented thinker who is ready to take ownership and build scalable processes as Sonar grows. We need someone who doesn't just advise–someone who rolls up their sleeves, drives projects to completion, and enjoys solving hard problems. This role reports to the Head of Global Employment Law. 

What you will do

• Provide global employment law counsel on hiring, performance management, terminations, leaves/accommodations, wage and hour, and investigations in the USA, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, France, Singapore, Japan, the UAE, and various EOR locations, with the support of outside counsel.

• Drive cross-functional projects (policy rollouts, trainings, compliance initiatives) forward in partnership with the Head of Global Employment Law.

• Provide creative, compliant, and business-enabling solutions regarding sensitive employee relations issues, and organizational change .

• Independently identify opportunities to streamline processes and partner with functional stakeholders to drive change management to meet compliance expectations.

• Embrace new challenges and manage a dynamic workload of emergent legal issues, supporting high-growth company initiatives relating to global expansion, employee privacy, equity, immigration, compliance, and M&A integration..

• Advise on global compensation, pay equity, and benefits compliance.

Experience and qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Strong Legal Foundation: Hold a J.D. degree and active bar admission in good standing (Texas bar or eligible for registered in-house status) with 5+ years of employment law experience, preferably in-house at a multinational organization and/or fast-growing tech company.

• Initiative & Domain Leadership: Have deep knowledge of U.S. employment law, including California. Preference for experience with employment law in EMEA (Switzerland, United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, France, UAE) and/or APJ (Japan, Singapore) markets.

• Exceptional Communication & Influence: Demonstrated ability to develop strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and teams across the business, backed by excellent communication skills.

• Adaptability & Ownership: The ability to prioritize, manage multiple work streams, and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment.

• Start-up Mentality: A willingness to roll up your sleeves, clear blockers, think creatively, and consistently find solutions to support the business in driving projects to completion.

• Global Fluency: Excellent English written/verbal communication skills and flexibility with your work schedule to accommodate occasional calls outside of your regular time zone.

We're intentional about this. We believe the best teams are built in the room together. Three anchor days — Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays — create the collaboration rhythm that makes a hub office worth having. 

Candidates need to be genuinely based in the location the role is posted  — if that's not where you are today, we're happy to support relocation for the right person.

At Sonar, we believe that our diversity is our strength. We are a global company that values and respects different backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

If you need any accommodation, please reach out to us at [email protected]. 

All offers of employment at Sonar are contingent upon the results of a comprehensive background check and reference verification conducted before the start date. 

Applications that are submitted through agencies or third party recruiters will not be considered.