Director, Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment

Giant Eagle; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Giant Eagle, a leading retailer based in Pennsylvania, seeks an experienced labor & employment attorney with strong business acumen to provide a broad range of legal services. The role focuses on employment matters, manages multiple complex projects, and collaborates with outside counsel while advising team members at all levels.

Hybrid work model in Cranberry, PA: 3 days per week in the office and remote or in-store the other two days.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years in employment law advising HR clients at various levels.
• Minimum 5 years overseeing employment claims and litigation.
• ABA-accredited law school education and bar membership in at least one US state.

Responsibilities

• Provide practical advice on employment matters, including wage-hour compliance, benefits, and policies.
• Translate complex legal concepts into practical guidance for clients.
• Draft and negotiate employment-related documents and legal correspondence.
• Manage employment-related litigation and coordinate with outside counsel.
• Assist HR with performance management, discipline, and terminations.
• Conduct or advise on workplace investigations; monitor regulatory developments.
• Develop standardized HR-related policies and processes; advise leaders on risk.
• Maintain integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards in all interactions.

Skills

Employment law

Legal counseling

Risk analysis

Communication

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a motivated and experienced labor & employment attorney with strong business acumen, sound judgment, the ability to provide practical advice, and who thrives in a fast-paced business environment. The role is responsible for providing a wide range of legal services and advice to the Company, on a variety of labor and employment matters. This role is responsible for managing multiple complex legal projects independently while working with outside counsel and advising Team Members at all levels within the organization with a primary focus on employment matters.
THIS IS A HYBRID WORK MODEL: Working from our new corporate headquarters in Cranberry, PA. 3x days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and remote or in store the other two days.

Job Description

• Experience Required: Minimum 7 years’ experience in the practice of employment law and providing advice and counseling to HR business clients at various levels of the organization.
• Minimum 5 years’ experienceinoverseeing employment claims and litigation. Ability to independently identify employment law risks and formulate practical strategies regarding the same.
• Experience Desired: Previous in-house legal department experience; retail experience an asset; some prior experience and/or exposure to providing legal guidance and support on traditional labor matters, such as collective bargaining negotiations and management; and familiarity with employee benefits and compensation plans is a plus.
• Education Required: J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and current bar membership in at least one US state and willingness to meet the requirements of membership in the Pennsylvania bar through in-house counsel, reciprocity, or other avenues.
• Skills Desired: While you'll be a confident legal expert, you won't take yourself too seriously. We value humility, approachability, adaptability and a willingness to listen and learn.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide practical advice and counsel on employment related matters, such as employee relations, wage and hour compliance, employee benefits, employment agreements, workplace policies, leaves of absence and disability accommodation.
• Ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical, actionable, and understandable advice for clients.
• Advice and counsel responsibility for labor and employment matters taking into consideration the complexities of the business. Proven track record of making well-informed decisions base on thorough analysis and critical thinking.
• Draft and negotiate labor and employment-related documents (employment agreements, workplace policies, etc.) and legal correspondence.
• Support HR team with respect to performance management, discipline, termination and other employee actions such as leaves of absence, and disability accommodation matters.
• Conduct or advise others on the conduct of workplace investigations as needed.
• Manage employment-related litigation and potential or threatened.
• Manage ethics hotline in conjunction with HR partners.
• Work closely with specialized outside counsel to manage risk and ensure that internal partners receive effective, business-focused employment and labor support across locations. Must exhibit the ability to assess risks and opportunities accurately.
• Work closely with business clients and the legal department to create and implement standardized policies, processes, and procedures for HR related agreements, policies and processes.
• Utilize knowledge of the law and experience to analyze facts and situations to effectively assess risk and make recommendations that are in the best interest of the Company.
• Partner with and manage outside counsel, if necessary, when handling HR and other matters.
• Monitor legislative developments to ensure continued compliance with national, state, and local labor and employment laws and regulations.
• Continuously develop understanding of legal risks and advise business leaders and stakeholders accurately of legal and other risks associated with proposed activities.
• Provide a creative, practical, proactive and collaborative approach to solving problems that address business needs while appropriately managing risk. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. While possessing deep expertise and confidence in employment matters, the candidate should be humble and approachable. A willingness to listen, learn, and not take oneself too seriously is highly valued.
• Independently, efficiently, and quickly handle legal matters and projects ranging from basic to complex.
• Stay current with all legal trends, regulations and laws.
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethics in all interactions. Must prioritize honesty, transparency, and confidentiality in dealings with clients and colleagues.
• Additional duties and responsibilities may be required based on organization needs.