Description:

The Sr. Manager, Labor & Employment Counsel will serve as the lead employment law counsel in the Americas region for a global business group and enabling functions, lead key processes, projects, and plans to mitigate risks and create value for HR and the business. This position will work across multiple businesses, functions, and regions to develop and deliver legal solutions to complex and complicated business issues. This position reports directly to the VP, Labor & Employment Law, Americas. The position will work directly with members of the legal division, human resources, and business executive to proactively identify solutions to address and manage employment law risks. The Sr. Manager will direct and manage employment litigation in partnership with external counsel. Candidate must have excellent judgment, have courage to make difficult decisions, and be able to influence peers and executives on strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Will provide day-to-day employment law advice and counsel to HR and management on a variety of subjects including employee terminations, FMLA and other protected leaves, ADA reasonable accommodations, employee relations including discipline, wage and hour issues, separation agreement, workplace violence and restrictive covenants
  • Will serve as a member of the Americas employment law team and will help develop, lead, drive, and implement projects to identify and proactively manage legal risks
  • Will manage US employment litigation working with outside counsel
  • Will support and counsel on internal investigations working with the Employee Relations Center of Excellence

Requirements:
  • J.D. degree
  • Licensed to practice law in one state, preferably CA, PA, or NC
  • 5+ years of employment law experience
  • Prior experience handling and managing employment litigation

Qualifications:
  • 5+ years of employment law experience including providing advice and counsel and managing employment litigation.
  • In-house counsel experience preference. Prefer experience in a global, complex, and highly matrixed company. Life sciences, pharmaceutical and/or clinical research is helpful.
  • Prior law firm experience with employment litigation from investigating and responding to administrative charges, responding to complaint, conducting discovery, taking deposition, drafting motions for summary judgment, and preparing for trial.
  • Proficient in providing advice and counsel in the following areas: ADA reasonable accommodations, FMLA and other types of leaves, employee terminations, reductions in force, wage and hour (particularly exemptions), performance management, restrictive covenants, workplace investigations, and employee relations issues. Labor experience is a plus.
  • Strong influencing, relationship and collaborating skills.
  • Ability to identify and manage legal and other types of risks and have solid judgment.
  • Ability to analyze complex situations and develop simple, concise, and effective legal solutions.
  • Must be able to build strong partnerships with key stakeholders.
  • Strong writing and communication skills.