Senior Counsel (Employment Law)

Mastercard; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastercard is seeking a Senior Counsel, Employment Law to provide strategic U.S. employment law guidance for Mastercard’s global business. You will work within the Global Employment Law group and collaborate with People & Capability (P&C) teams.

The role requires deep U.S. employment law knowledge, robust counseling experience, and the ability to advise on complex employment matters, policy alignment, and cross-border initiatives. Hybrid/work arrangements in a dynamic, global firm environment.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in the United States (NY preferred).
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment law and regulations.
• Experience advising on policies, compliance, and investigations.

Responsibilities

• Provide U.S. employment law counsel to Mastercard and Global teams.
• Draft and negotiate complex employment contracts and related documents.
• Advise on employee matters, leave, benefits, and wage-hour issues.

Skills

Employment law

Counseling

Contract drafting

M&A support

Regulatory compliance

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

New York Bar admission

Massachusetts Bar a plus

Job description

• As Senior Counsel, Employment Law for Mastercard, you will be part of a dynamic and fast-moving culture that has decency at its core and is highly motivated to connect and power an inclusive digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible
• You will join an experienced and collaborative legal team that provides best-in-class, strategic employment law support on a large range of issues for our U.S and global businesses that are fueled by 40,000 employees who sit in more than 200 countries
• Your solid U.S. employment law knowledge, strong counseling experience, willingness to dive into new and emerging issues, and ability to effectively collaborate with your U.S. and Region Counsel colleagues will be key
• The position reports into the Global Employment Law group in Mastercard’s Law Department and provides direct support to Mastercard’s People & Capability (P&C) team
• Serve as a trusted U.S. employment law expert with a global mindset who provides sound, timely, compliant, and practical legal advice that is tailored for Mastercard
• Provide US employment law support for the integration of Recorded Future, a recent cybersecurity acquisition with a global footprint, and coordinate with Region Counsel in connection with the integration
• Ability to offer thoughtful legal advice and counsel on individual employee matters and cross-functional, company-wide programs, projects, and initiatives
• Counsel on an array of people matters such as: recruiting and hiring, talent acquisition and development; EEO matters; community and belonging; reasonable accommodations; leave management; contingent workforce; global mobility/ immigration; performance/discipline management; wage-hour; benefits and compensation; terminations/job restructurings/reductions in force; separation negotiations and agreements; restrictive covenants; and compliance, including reporting obligations
• Defend the company and provide strategic direction on attorney demand letters, internal legal investigations, agency charges/complaints, litigation, regulatory inquiries and proceedings; partner closely with and manage outside counsel
• Negotiate and draft complex employment contracts, offers of employment, agreements, and other employment documents
• Ability to actively advise on (or willingness to learn about) the U.S. employment and benefits aspects of corporate M&A transactions such as acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures through the due diligence, contract negotiations/signing, deal closing, and integration phases
• Advise on P&C policies and procedures for alignment with local law and company philosophies and objectives
• Monitor relevant employment law and regulatory developments in order to help P&C develop responsive strategies for the Company’s compliance obligations
• Support and advance the Global Employment Law team’s ability to scale and efficiently deliver high-quality legal advice, learnings, and solutions for U.S. and global audiences through user-friendly tools, templates, and other resources
• Assist P&C with developing employee training
• Benefits and compensation and government contractor experience are a plus
• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines

Has to be able and motivated to independently handle employment law matters and understand which issues warrant collaboration and escalationStrong ability to view and analyze issues through a multi-dimensional lens, think proactively and strategically with a solution-oriented mindset, and prioritize what things get done and howExcellent legal and business judgment; top notch analytical, problem-solving and end-to-end execution abilities; highly organized; strong verbal and written communication skillsAbility to effectively partner with a variety of internal P&C and other stakeholders at multiple levels and across a highly-matrixed global organizationSolid employment law experience. Corporate in-house experience and some global exposure preferred, particularly in the context of integrating a global businessJ.D. from accredited law school; member in good standing of the New York Bar. Member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar would be a plusAbility to simultaneously manage a heavy workload, pivot to address change, and execute with excellence in a fast-paced team environmentFlexible, proactive, team-oriented player who will identify, take on, and champion new and unfamiliar subject matters with an eye toward making lasting positive impactMust be able to distinguish and articulate the risks and rewards and help the business move forward and resolve matters thoughtfully, expeditiously, and efficiently