Senior Labor & Employment Counsel, USA

Overview

The organization is seeking a Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for its US organization, supporting the Motion, Electrification & Automation business. This role is part of the Legal and Integrity function.

This position reports to Head of Labor and Employment and Corporate Governance.

Responsibilities

• Employment-related litigation: Manage employment-related litigation and provide strategic/advisory guidance as appropriate, including developing litigation and settlement strategies, leading settlement negotiations, selecting outside counsel, overseeing related fees and costs, and serving as the liaison between outside counsel and relevant business stakeholders.
• Labor & employment matters: Develop strategies for union contracts and, when appropriate, participate directly in union negotiations. Manage union-related matters including union avoidance, organizing campaigns, and labor arbitrations. Provide practical legal advice to HR professionals and management to reduce potential legal exposure.
• Employment counseling and drafting/review: Advise on severance packages, separation agreements, employee performance concerns, termination decisions, and compliance with state and federal employment laws. Draft and review employment-related agreements, including restrictive covenants (e.g., non-compete and trade secret provisions), and support labor and employment due diligence for acquisitions.
• Internal investigations: Advise on internal investigations involving Code of Conduct or HR compliance matters.
• Policy guidance and legislative updates: Review employment policies and procedures, provide legal guidance, and update materials as laws evolve. Keep HR and management informed of relevant legal and legislative developments in employment and labor relations.
• Benefits and fiduciary oversight (as needed): Oversee fiduciary activities related to Benefit and Investment Committee matters to ensure compliance with ERISA standards.
• Emerging HR and L&E technology advisory: Provide strategic legal advice on emerging HR and L&E technologies (including digital and behavioral assessments) by anticipating regulatory developments and helping mitigate organizational, reputational, and litigation risks.
• HR and labor compliance leadership (as required): Provide strategic leadership and oversight on HR and labor compliance, advising HR and business leaders on evolving regulatory requirements, emerging risk areas, and appropriate mitigation strategies. Support a robust compliance framework covering wage and hour, leave and accommodations, worker classification, employment recordkeeping, and other changing regulatory requirements.
• Administrative agency matters: Oversee employment-related administrative charges brought by federal or state agencies, including the EEOC and NLRB, and manage and conduct mediations arising from external claims.
• Training and audits: Provide employment-related compliance training (directly or via an appropriate training provider). Design and implement train-the-trainer programs. Identify risk areas and mitigate them through internal audits, targeted training, and policy reviews.
• Corporate governance support (T&A): Help ensure strong corporate governance in the area of responsibility in the country, including structuring, drafting, and negotiation of matters related to mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree and at least 10+ years’ experience in US Employment and Labor Law (additional bachelor’s degree in business or human resources preferred).
• Prior litigation experience or extensive experience managing litigation as an in-house attorney.
• Technical ability to research, review, and understand local, state, and federal employment laws and how they relate to business operations.
• Strong people skills, including negotiations.
• Superior communication skills (verbal and written) with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to multi-task.
• Strong organizational, collaborative, and follow-up skills.
• Work experience in a multinational environment, providing advice for multi-jurisdictional/cross-border projects, including exposure to strategic business decisions.
• Willing to work flexible hours when necessary to connect with colleagues abroad.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Candidates must already possess authorization to work in the US.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional bachelor’s degree in business or human resources.

Compensation & Benefits

• Estimated base salary range: $191,300 to $306,080 annually
• Eligible for a short-term incentive plan/annual bonus

Benefit summary for eligible US employees

(Exclusions noted in source text: excludes ABB E-mobility, Athens union, Puerto Rico.)

Health, Life & Disability

• Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan
• Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus
• Vision benefit
• Company paid life insurance (2X base pay)
• Company paid AD&D (1X base pay)
• Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums
• Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid
• Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid (ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay)
• Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption
• Employee discount program

Retirement

• 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions
• Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)

Time off

• 11 paid holidays
• Salaried exempt positions provided vacation under a permissive time away policy

Location

• Remote candidates located within the United States.
• Preference: Eastern or Central Time Zones to interface easily with internal customers domestically and internationally.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The employer is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected characteristics under federal and state law.