Director, Employment and Litigation Counsel

Overview

The organization is seeking a Director, Employment & Litigation Counsel to serve as a key legal advisor to Human Resources, business leaders, and cross-functional partners. Reporting to the Assistant General Counsel, this role provides practical, solution-oriented legal advice across employment matters and leads work related to workplace investigations and litigation.

Responsibilities include preventive employment law guidance to HR (from an employee relations perspective), management of general commercial and employment litigation, direct engagement with adverse parties, oversight of workplace investigations, and support for global workforce growth in the biopharmaceutical sector. Geographic coverage is primarily U.S. and may expand with business growth.

Responsibilities

Employment Law Advice & HR Partnership

• Act as a primary legal business partner to HR, Talent Acquisition, and Total Rewards on employment compliance, worker classification (FLSA), performance management, accommodations, leaves of absence, executive compensation, and separations
• Draft, review, and update employment-related agreements, restrictive covenants, separation packages, and workforce policies to align with federal, state, and local laws
• Provide strategic counsel on immigration, OFCCP/EEOC compliance, global mobility, and contingent workforce management
• Monitor evolving employment legislation and industry trends in the biotech/pharma space to proactively implement risk mitigation strategies

Workplace Investigations & Compliance

• Lead or supervise complex internal investigations into whistleblower allegations, harassment, discrimination, and code-of-conduct violations
• Formulate standardized investigation workflows, ensure objective documentation, and partner with HR to implement corrective actions and remediations
• Design and deliver interactive legal training programs for managers and HR professionals on employment compliance, internal investigations, and anti-harassment standards
• Engage external counsel support as needed

Commercial & General Litigation Management

• Serve as a primary legal point of contact for external disputes, directly communicating and negotiating with adverse parties, opposing counsel, regulatory agencies, and third-party claimants across pre-litigation and active disputes
• Direct and manage strategy for general commercial litigation, breach of contract claims, vendor disputes, IP-adjacent matters, and employment-related administrative charges (EEOC/state agencies)
• Select, manage, and supervise outside counsel to ensure high-quality, cost-effective representation and strategic alignment
• Oversee e-discovery, litigation holds, document collection, subpoena responses, and witness preparation for depositions and hearings

Qualifications

Skills/Knowledge

• J.D. required
• Active license to practice law in at least one US State
• Minimum of 7 years HR experience in the US experience in private practice and/or in-house at high growth companies
• Substantial hands-on experience directly negotiating and communicating with adverse parties, opposing counsel, and agency investigators to resolve pre-litigation disputes and commercial claims
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws (e.g., Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ADEA, state wage-and-hour laws), as well as general civil procedure
• Demonstrated experience managing workplace investigations, administrative agency charges, and commercial disputes
• Experience advising on employee data collection, process and protection
• Hands-on, solution-oriented approach with ability to provide actionable solutions
• Strategic thinker with knowledge of best practices
• Ability to recognize trends and identify systemic approaches to solving problems
• Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with teams of all levels with different culture and education backgrounds
• Proficient multi-tasking with strong attention to detail
• Team-oriented with strong follow-up skills

Additional

• Global experience a plus, but not required
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $220,000 - $277,843
• Short-Term and Long-Term Incentive Programs
• Fidelity 401(k) with company match of 6%
• Anthem Premier PPO and HDHP insurance plans
• Company paid Basic Life & AD&D insurance
• Pre-tax FSA/HSA programs

Location

This position is classified as a corporate office position. In accordance with the New York employer convenience rule, income tax withholding will apply for corporate office employees, regardless of whether these employees work in New York or remotely.