SVP and Employment Counsel
Employment Type : Full-Time
OVERALL SUMMARY PRIMARY
Lead the Employment Law, Ethics, and Privacy teams in a positive, proactive, innovative, and collaborative manner. Provides global strategic legal guidance to HR, as well as to Executive and Senior management on employment and ethics matters; aids in the interpretation of and compliance with applicable laws and regulations; oversees employment related litigation, conducts and manages investigations; directs and conducts employment law and ethics related training; and develops and manages effective global implementation of Ethics program to mitigate employment risks.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborates on global employment and ethics matters with internal stakeholders throughout the Company, including Executive and Senior management, HR and all Brand, Function and Regional leadership.
- Provides global advice and counsel on a broad range of day-to-day employment matters, including terminations, reductions in force, all areas of discrimination, wage and hour issues, employee relations, restrictive covenants, interpretation of employment contracts, inclusion and diversity and employment policies as well as compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and Equal Pay Act.
- Provides global advice and counsel on managing sensitive, complex matters related to employment and ethics.
- Provides advice regarding employment litigation issues and risk mitigation strategies.
- Supervises and performs investigations of employee misconduct and recommends and assists in the implementation of appropriate courses of action.
- Reviews and drafts employment policies, employment related documents, including employment agreements, separation agreements, consulting agreements, offer letters and confidentiality agreements.
- Manages employment-related litigation, including directing outside counsel, efficient management of employment litigation costs and outside counsel fees.
- Provides expert review on policies, procedures, employee training and specific cases which may be impacted by legislation or case law development.
- Reviews and advises on employment and compliance aspects of mergers, acquisitions and other corporate transactions.
- Provides legal advice on substantive risks areas including, but not limited to, gift and business entertainment, conflicts of interests and political activities.
- Evaluates and optimizes an effective global Ethics communication strategy for the organization, including promoting tone at the top, heightening awareness among employees of compliance risks and policies and aligning and educating leadership regarding current and emerging risks and trends.
- Proactively partner globally with Brands, Regions and Functions to assess risks and identify potential areas of potential employment law and ethics violations vulnerability; develop/implement controls and procedures for avoidance of risk and action plans for resolution of problematic issues; provide ongoing guidance on how to avoid or manage existing and emerging risks.
- Develop, maintain, and revise policies and procedures for the general operation of the Company’s Ethics programs and their related activities.
- Assess and lead Ethics training program in cooperation with HR, Finance and other stakeholders
- Ensure that red flags, complaints and alleged violations of rules, regulations, policies and procedures are being appropriately evaluated, investigated and resolved in a timely and effective manner.
- Direct the development and drafting, reviewing and implementation of the Code of Conduct and related training as well as employee complaint handling procedures.
- Responsible for primary functional ownership of the Ethics HelpLine.
- Lead and develop the Employment Law, Ethics, and Privacy teams, which includes a Vice President Privacy lawyer, 3 Associate Counsel Employment lawyers, 2 junior lawyers, and Ethics Program Manager.
Qualifications
REQUIREMENTS
- J.D. and a minimum of 15 years of experience in the practice of employment law
- Significant executive experience, stature, and overall credibility as a senior lawyer and trusted business advisor; able to communicate and synthesize complex issues crisply, clearly and convincingly.
- Demonstrated success in managing and leading teams, as well as a respective Legal practice area
- Strong legal knowledge and skills as well as superior critical thinking, analytical, drafting, problem-solving and negotiating skills.
- Must demonstrate integrity, excellent legal judgment and business acumen, strong leadership skills, and the ability to play a significant role within the business
- Substantial experience in making recommendations to senior executive management and clients on various legal issues
- Strong leader and persuasive communicator; proven ability to self-motivate, work independently as well as collaboratively and motivate and inspire a team; excellent writing and verbal presentation skills
- Superior influencing skills and the ability to gain the respect of, and build a rapport with, multiple constituencies, both internally and externally
- Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with clients in a collaborative environment to achieve objectives
Job: Legal
Primary Location: US-NY-New York
Job Type: Standard
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: 1st (Day) Shift
Job Number: 212294
We are an equal opportunity employer. Minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is Company's policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. The Company will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation consistent with the law to otherwise qualified employees and prospective employees with a disability and to employees and prospective employees with needs related to their religious observance or practices. Should you wish to apply for this position or any other position with the Company and you believe you require assistance to complete an application or participate in an interview, please contact USApplicantAccommodations@Estee.com.