Senior Counsel, Employment

National Veterinary Associates, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 170,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

National Veterinary Associates seeks a seasoned Senior Counsel - Employment Law to join our legal team. You will report to the Associate General Counsel and provide daily advisory across the enterprise, partnering with Legal and Compliance to implement consistent policies across approximately 40,000 employees in 46 states and Canada.

The role focuses on employment law across multiple jurisdictions, with a strong emphasis on counseling HR, managing risk, and driving strategic initiatives in a

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8+ years of experience practicing employment law, including a litigation background, with multi-site operations support across jurisdictions and HR counseling.
• In-house experience and employment litigation background is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement best practices, SOPs, and training programs across the enterprise with functional leaders and business units.
• Provide expert employment advice to HR and Operations on employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, and compliance with laws.
• Support the employment agreement team and related processes to ensure compliance with requirements and policies.
• Analyze complex legal issues and provide practical solutions aligned with business objectives and mitigate risks.
• Develop strategies to minimize litigation risk and resolve disputes efficiently.
• Stay updated on changes in employment laws and ensure policy compliance across the enterprise.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to update policies and guidelines.
• Deliver timely risk assessments and recommendations balancing compliance with business goals.
• Lead enterprise employment law initiatives and projects.

Skills

Employment law

In-house experience

Legal counseling

Litigation background

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree

Job description

We’re looking for a seasoned and practical advisor and leader with meaningful employment law experience to join our team. You will report to our Associate General Counsel overseeing employment matters across the Enterprise, providing daily advice and counsel, and partnering cross-functionally and across the Legal and Compliance Team to ensure consistent best practices and implementation of policies. Successful candidates will possess strong curiosity and adaptability. This is an exciting opportunity to join a close-knit legal team supporting a growing company with approximately 40,000 employees in 46 states and Canada.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement best practices, standard operating procedures, and training programs across the enterprise in partnership with functional leaders and colleagues across business units.
• Provide expert employment advice and counsel to HR and Operations partners on a wide range of employment-related matters, including but not limited to, employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, and compliance with employment laws and regulations.
• Provide support and guidance, as needed, to the employment agreement team and related processes, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and company policies.
• Timely analyze complex legal issues and provide responsive, practical solutions and recommendations that align with business objectives and mitigate legal risks.
• Develop and implement strategies to minimize litigation risks and resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.
• Stay updated on changes in employment laws and regulations, and ensure company policy remains in compliance as well as consistent adoption and application across the enterprise.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and update employment-related policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Deliver timely, clear, and practical risk assessment and recommendations balancing compliance with business objectives.
• Develop strong partnership with functional leaders and cross-business-unit collaboration.
• Identify trends and initiate preventative measures and corrective action, where needed, to ensure compliance with employment laws.
• Track and implement legal changes affecting multi-state operations.
• Develop and deliver best-in-class guidance and training to key stakeholders and cross-functional partners to ensure continued compliance with employment laws.
• Lead and partner on enterprise employment law initiatives and projects.

Success Metrics/KPIs

• Risk prevention and reduction through:
  • Quality legal advice,
  • Stakeholder trust, and
  • Successful execution of thorough legal support in enterprise projects.
• Demonstrated influence and partnership resulting in business initiatives with legal involvement at the planning stage.
• Demonstrated strategic prioritization of legal work to ensure continued alignment with Enterprise objectives and goals.
• Ability to strategize broadly, anticipate potential issues, and demonstrate initiative to seek solutions with Enterprise application.

Key internal and external stakeholders

• People Team (Human Resources) & Team Member Relations
• Operations
• Talent Acquisition

Experience:

• Minimum of 8+ years of experience practicing employment law, including a litigation background, with a focus on supporting multi-site operations across jurisdictions and HR counseling. Prior in-house experience and employment litigation background is beneficial.
• Experience in a corporate legal department or law firm specializing in employment law is preferred.
• If you are a highly motivated and skilled employment law professional looking to make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply for the position of Senior Counsel - Employment Law.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations (multi-state experience beneficial).
• Demonstrated leadership experience preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven track record of delivering pragmatic solutions to novel legal problems and resolving disputes effectively and efficiently
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Education / Certifications / Licensing:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active membership in the state bar association.

Physical Demands of the job:

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• Frequent use of a computer, keyboard, telephone, and videoconferencing technology.
• Ability to read, analyze, and review extensive electronic and paper documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual meeting platforms.
• Occasionally stand, walk, reach, bend, or carry light office materials.
• Ability to travel occasionally for meetings, trainings, investigations, litigation-related activities, or business needs.
• Ability to work in a standard office environment and remotely, as business needs require.

Job requirements, including essential job responsibilities, key deliverables and outcomes, and success metrics, all subject to change based on business needs

FLSA Classification:

Exempt

National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization united in the love of animals and the people who love them.

The base salary range for this position is $170,000-$205,000 annually. Our salary ranges are primarily determined by role, level, and location. The range provided for each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries for the position across all US locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

*This role is not open to receiving agency candidates and any contingent submissions will not be honored. #LI-Remote

We’re on a mission to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them. That starts by empowering our care teams. We nurture their growth with resources to practice medicine their way. Our network of 1,000 hospitals connects them to a community of professionals who share their passion so they can learn and grow together. Our national presence enables us to deliver technology and innovations that simplify work and expand care for all. At NVA, we're committed to your professional growth. We support your entire career journey, offering opportunities ranging from mentorship to ownership.

We’ll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com

We may also contact you via text message from an identified NVA representative for recruiting-related communication

All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com

There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position

If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at [e-mail]. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.