Closing Date: 16th December, 2025

Description:

Job Description:
Overview:
The Associate General Counsel will serve as a strategic legal advisor and operational leader within the Legal Department, supporting the General Counsel and overseeing employment law matters across North America. This role requires deep subject matter expertise in all areas of federal and state employment law, cross-functional leadership, and the ability to drive legal strategy in alignment with business objectives. The Associate General Counsel will manage high-impact legal initiatives, mentor junior staff, and represent the company in complex legal matters.

Responsibilities:
Strategic Legal Leadership

Advise the General Counsel and executive leadership on employment law risks, compliance, and litigation strategy.
Lead enterprise-wide legal initiatives related to labor and employment, including policy development, investigations, and dispute resolution.
Challenge facts and evidence at their own discretion.
Exhibit excellent judgment skills in high-pressure situations.
Seek out and analyze all available information comprehensively before defining problems, drawing conclusions, and developing solutions.
Demonstrate a significant degree of evaluative judgment and innovative thinking.

Policy and Governance

Work with the Human Resources Department in the development and implementation of employment policies across jurisdictions.
Ensure alignment with global regulatory frameworks and internal governance standards.
Lead cross-functional legal reviews of all labor relations programs

Risk Management and Compliance

Identify and mitigate legal risks related to employment practices, compensation, benefits, and workplace safety.
Partner with HR and Compliance teams to conduct audits, investigations, and training programs.
Represent the company in regulatory inquiries and employment-related litigation.

Team Leadership and Development

Supervise and mentor junior legal professionals.
Foster a culture of legal excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Lead legal workstreams in enterprise-wide change management and strategic initiatives.

Planning and Organizing:

Plan and organize a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans and strategies as needed.
Prioritize workload and responsibilities to align with personal, team, functional, and customer objectives.
Typically work on a timetable of three months or longer for objectives.
Develop and deliver projects or workstreams within change management initiatives.
Document complex "as is" and "to be" processes, describing the changes required to migrate to the "to be" capability accurately.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills:

Work across functions, levels of management, and regions.
Act as a mentor for more junior team members.
Influence direction and approach through strong alignment with the customer, identifying solutions to their long-term issues and offering insights to support their strategic objectives.

Building Relationships and Networks:

Relate well to a broad range of people within and across departments by being approachable and demonstrating interpersonal sensitivity.
Proactively engage others by showing respect, care, and consideration for the views and contributions of all colleagues.
Show empathy and interpersonal sensitivity when dealing with others.
Establish collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Easily and effectively navigate the organization due to a broad network.
Develop and maintain a wide network of contacts and partnerships.

Operational Excellence

Develop and manage legal workflows, reporting systems, and knowledge management tools.
Oversee legal support for employment-related transactions, restructures, and M&A due diligence.
Ensure timely and effective delivery of legal services across business units.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders including HR, Compliance, and executive leadership.
Serve as a key liaison with external counsel, regulators, and industry groups.
Provide thought leadership and legal insights to support strategic business decisions.

Qualifications:
Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school; licensed to practice in relevant jurisdiction.
Outstanding written and verbal skills are essential.
Membership in the California State Bar preferred.
Minimum 12 years of legal experience, with significant focus on employment law.
Preference for candidates with prior government and in-house legal experience.
Proven leadership in managing legal teams and advising senior executives.
Exceptional judgment, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
Experience in cross-border legal matters and policy harmonization preferred.

Candidates must be within 250 miles of an A Japan-Based Freight Forwarding and Transportation Company facility or office.