Assistant General Counsel, Director - Employment Law

The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC); Jersey City (NJ); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive health and life insurance

Flexible/hybrid work model

Pension/Retirement benefits

Paid Time Off

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in Jersey City is seeking an experienced Assistant General Counsel to provide legal support on labor and employment matters. This position involves advising HR on diverse issues, managing investigations, and negotiating employment terms. The ideal candidate holds a J.D. and possesses significant experience in labor law. The role stresses self-direction, effective communication, and expert guidance in ensuring compliance with employment laws. A flexible hybrid work model is offered, enhancing work-life balance.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of relevant professional legal experience practicing labor/employment law.
• Experience in investigations and managing employment disputes and litigation matters.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support and advice to HR and stakeholders on labor and employment matters.
• Conduct sensitive investigations related to firm policies or unlawful behavior.
• Draft and negotiate employment and separation agreements.
• Manage EEOC, DOL, OSHA inquiries and disputes.
• Handle risk assessment and negotiation of employee claims.
• Support litigation strategy, discovery, depositions, and arbitration with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Workplace investigations

Negotiating complex claims

Managing employment litigation

Labor and employment law expertise

Communication skills

Judgment and discretion

Education

J.D. from top-tier law school

Job description

Are you ready to make an impact at DTCC? Do you want to work on innovative projects, collaborate with a dynamic and supportive team, and receive investment in your professional development? At DTCC, we are at the forefront of innovation in the financial markets. We are committed to helping our employees grow and succeed. We believe that you have the skills and drive to make a real impact. We foster a thriving internal community and are committed to creating a workplace that looks like the world that we serve.

Pay And Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including base pay and annual incentive
• Comprehensive health and life insurance and well-being benefits, based on location
• Pension / Retirement benefits
• Paid Time Off and Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence when needed to support your physical, financial, and emotional well-being.
• DTCC offers a flexible/hybrid model of 3 days onsite and 2 days remote (onsite Tuesdays, Wednesdays and a third day unique to each team or employee).

The Impact You Will Have In This Role

Being a member of the DTCC General Counsel's Office, the Assistant General Counsel will primarily focus on providing legal support and advice to our Human Resources team and other internal stakeholders on a range of U.S. labor and employment related matters.

Your Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the Human Resources team and other key business partners, providing practical advice and counseling in employment related matters, including hiring, performance management, leaves of absence, accommodations, terminations, reductions in force (RIFs), workplace concerns, internal investigations, disciplinary issues, restrictive covenants, wage and hour, compensation, employee benefits, and relevant federal/state/local employment laws.
• Conduct and/or support sensitive investigations relating to alleged violations of the firm policies or unlawful behavior, including but not limited to those relating to discrimination, harassment, and equal employment opportunity, and other allegations of misconduct involving firm personnel.
• Vet proposed terminations and consult with human resource professionals and business leaders to devise and articulate selection criteria for RIFs, exit incentives and early retirement programs.
• Draft, review and/or negotiate employment and separation agreements, offer letters, restrictive covenants, NDAs, consulting terms, and other employment-related contracts.
• Address issues relating to federal, state and local employment laws including ERISA, Age Discrimination In Employment Act, Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII, and Paid Leave.
• Coordinate with outside counsel to provide guidance on the development and implementation of employment practices that have a global application, as well as on matters relating to non-employee staffing.
• Manage and participate in active Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Department of Labor (DOL), Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and state agency inquiries and proceedings as well as active disputes alleging violations of various state and federal employment statutes, including Title VII, the ADEA, the ADA, the FLSA, and the FMLA.
• Handle risk assessment and negotiation of employee claims.
• Manage and support outside counsel on employment claims and litigation, including strategy, risk evaluation, and budgets, working cross-functionally to manage discovery, witness preparation, depositions, motion practice, and arbitration or trial preparation and presentation.
• Handle other non-employment legal matters, ad-hoc projects, research and analysis of complex issues and directly engage with internal stakeholders on legal issues as requested by the Deputy General Counsel and Associate General Counsel. Provide support on non-employment related subpoena, pre-litigation, and litigation matters, assist in fact finding and analysis, discovery, legal research, pleadings and other court filings.

NOTE: The Primary Responsibilities of this role are not limited to the details above.

Qualifications

• J.D. from top-tier law school; admitted to and in good standing with the New York or New Jersey Bar.
• 7-10 years of relevant professional legal experience practicing labor/employment law at a top tier law firm or in-house legal department (financial services firm a plus), with a focus on advising on investigations and managing employment disputes and litigation matters.

Talents Needed For Success

• Demonstrated experience conducting workplace investigations, negotiating complex claims, and managing employment litigation.
• Subject matter expertise in a wide range of federal, state, and local labor and employment laws and rules and regulations affecting the human resources.
• Superior verbal and written communication and presentation skills; ability to interface and communicate effectively and diplomatically with all levels of personnel, including senior leaders; ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain discretion.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

The salary range is indicative for roles at the same level within DTCC across all US locations. Actual salary is determined based on the role, location, individual experience, skills, and other considerations. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.