Counsel - Labor & Employment

Overview

A legal organization is seeking a Counsel, Labor & Employment to join their Labor, Employment & Benefits practice group. The preferred location is Beachwood, Ohio (US Headquarters), but remote candidates will be considered with travel as needed.

This role involves providing strategic legal counsel on labor and employment matters, working closely with senior HR and business leaders to support workforce growth and labor relations across a global enterprise.

Responsibilities

Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining

• Prepare for and conduct collective bargaining negotiations, including shaping strategy, drafting and reviewing contract proposals and collective bargaining agreement (CBA) language.
• Analyze legal impacts of proposals and advise bargaining teams to reach agreements that support operational continuity and employee well-being.
• Provide legal counsel on grievances, arbitrations, National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) proceedings, union organizing activities, and works council matters.
• Collaborate with Employee & Labor Relations Center of Excellence and HR business partners to proactively manage risk and maintain smooth operations.

Employment Counsel

• Provide practical, business-aligned legal advice to HR and business leaders on hiring, investigations, discipline, terminations, reorganizations, reductions in force, accommodations, leaves, and policy development.
• Manage EEOC and other agency charges, attorney demands, and related investigations, identifying trends and partnering on corrective and preventive solutions.
• Direct outside counsel effectively and promote lessons learned across the organization.

Requirements

Education & Licensure

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. state.
• Eligibility to practice in or register as in-house counsel in Ohio.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of employment law experience, including significant labor relations experience.
• Direct experience supporting collective bargaining negotiations, grievance arbitration, and NLRB/unfair labor practice matters is strongly preferred.
• Combination of law firm and in-house experience is ideal.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong command of federal and state employment laws (e.g., Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA) and the National Labor Relations Act.
• Experience with collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, union organizing, and works councils (preferred).
• Demonstrated skills in negotiation, strategic thinking, drafting, persuasive presentation, proactive issue-spotting, problem-solving, attention to detail, and managing competing priorities.

Skills

• Courageous leadership with high emotional intelligence and accountability.
• Ability to balance risk management with business realities to make practical decisions.
• Strong relationship-building skills across organizational levels and diverse stakeholders.
• Collaborative team player who works beyond boundaries to advance group or enterprise success.
• Clear and effective communication skills, adaptable to various audiences and able to maintain composure under pressure.

Compensation & Benefits

• Expected annual salary range: $165,000 - $242,000.
• Eligibility for a variable incentive program.
• Comprehensive health and welfare benefits, retirement plans, and paid/unpaid time off programs.
• Specific benefits and options may vary based on eligibility factors such as location, date of hire, and collective bargaining agreements.

Location

• Preferred location: Beachwood, Ohio (US Headquarters).
• Remote candidates considered with travel as needed.

Additional Information

• This role reports to the Vice President and Chief Employment Counsel.
• The position covers responsibilities across the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
• Equal employment opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination.
• Candidates with arrest or conviction history will be considered in accordance with applicable fair chance laws.
• Reasonable accommodations are available upon request during the application and interview process.