Assistant General Counsel - Labor & Employment

Overview

An established healthcare organization is seeking an experienced Labor & Employment Attorney to provide strategic counsel and legal support across a complex healthcare system. This role involves managing day-to-day labor and employment matters while advising executive and operational leaders on workforce-related risks, strategy, and decision-making. The attorney will partner closely with Human Resources and operational leaders, handling a broad portfolio of labor and employment issues and contributing to enterprise-level workforce practices, compliance, and organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary counsel on a wide range of labor and employment matters across the full employee lifecycle, including hiring, compensation, performance management, discipline, leaves and accommodations, separations, and workforce reductions.
• Provide timely, practical legal guidance to HR, clinical, and operational leaders on employee relations matters, balancing legal risk, operational needs, and organizational culture.
• Lead or support internal investigations related to employee complaints, workplace conduct, discrimination, retaliation, and compliance concerns.
• Advise on labor relations matters, including unionized environments, collective bargaining preparation, grievances, arbitrations, and unfair labor practice issues, as applicable.
• Manage employment-related claims, administrative charges, and litigation, including oversight of outside counsel, litigation strategy, settlement considerations, and cost management.
• Act as a key escalation point for complex or high-risk employment matters requiring judgment and discretion.
• Evaluate the use of outside counsel for specific projects, ensuring effective engagement, budget accountability, and performance monitoring.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of employees, including executive leadership.
• Partner with HR leadership and operational teams to provide forward-looking counsel on workforce strategy, organizational change, and evolving employment models.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities within labor and employment law that may impact the organization and advise proactively on mitigation strategies and best practices.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of employment-related policies, frameworks, and governance approaches aligned with legal requirements and organizational values.
• Advise and support communication needs related to employment and labor relations matters.
• Support preventive risk management through training, guidance, and practical tools for leaders and HR partners.
• Promote consistent, legally sound people practices by translating complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance.
• Collaborate closely with peers across the legal division to ensure integrated, consistent legal support and shared accountability for outcomes.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree (required).
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in Labor & Employment law (required).
• License to practice law in Pennsylvania within 6 months of hire.
• Demonstrated experience supporting complex, regulated organizations; healthcare or similarly regulated industry experience strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state labor and employment laws, including wage and hour, discrimination, leaves and accommodations, and labor relations.
• Ability to operate effectively in both tactical and strategic modes.
• Strong executive presence with clear and credible communication skills at all organizational levels.
• Practical, business-minded approach to risk and problem-solving.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and discretion in sensitive matters.
• Collaborative mindset.

Compensation & Benefits

• Full health, dental, and vision benefits starting on day one.
• Multiple medical plan options, including expanded networks for out-of-area employees and dependents.
• Pre-tax savings plans with healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA) and a health savings account (HSA) with employer contribution.
• Company-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) plan with automatic employer contributions.
• Generous paid time off (PTO) plan with accelerated accrual.
• Up to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement per calendar year.
• Wellness program offering financial incentives.
• Family-friendly support including adoption and fertility assistance, parental leave pay, military leave pay, and discounted backup care services.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing referrals for childcare, eldercare, pet care, legal guidance, mental health visits, work-life support, and digital self-help tools.
• Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, identity theft protection, universal life, pet, and legal insurance.

Location

Work is typically performed in an office environment or remotely, depending on organizational needs.

Note: This job description is not all-inclusive and represents typical elements necessary to successfully perform the job.