Senior Counsel - Labor & Employment

Sodexo; North Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 139,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentive plan

Benefits package

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking a Senior Counsel focused on Labor and Employment law to support the Sodexo Law Department in the United States. The role partners with operations leadership and HR colleagues on a broad range of employment matters, performance and discipline decisions, and wage-hour compliance.

Responsibilities include responding to agency charges, defending litigation, advising on labor relations, and developing employment policies; the position offers eligibility for Sodexo's incentive plan.

Qualifications

• Requires JD/LL.M. and 7+ years practicing law.
• Expertise in labor and employment law; benefits law a plus.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; strong business judgment.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice to HR and operations on employment matters including hiring, discipline, leaves, and wage-hour compliance.
• Manage outside counsel and defend employment litigation.
• Advise Labor Relations on union organizing, NLRA matters, and arbitrations.

Skills

Labor and employment law

Strategic advisory

External counsel management

Communication skills

Legal analysis

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LL.M.

Job description

About the job

Sodexo is currently searching for a Senior Counsel to focus on Labor and Employment law.

The position will be a member of the Sodexo Law Department.

The Sodexo Law Department supports the United States subsidiary of a large global company that provides contracted management services, primarily food and environmental services, to a variety of institutions, including hospitals, colleges and universities, corporations, senior living communities and entertainment venues.

The Labor and Employment Senior Counsel serves as a trusted partner to operations leadership and various departments within Human Resources, including Segment HR Business Partners, Employee Relations, Labor Relations, Total Rewards, Talent Acquisition, and Learning & Development.

Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.

Pay Range: $139145 - $180070

Incentive Eligibility: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary

What’s in it for you

• Provide advice and counseling to internal human resources and operations clients on a wide range of employment law-related matters including hiring and recruiting, employee relations, discipline and termination, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodation, workforce restructuring, and wage and hour compliance.


• Investigate and respond to attorney demand letters and charges of unlawful conduct filed with various federal and state agencies.


• Manage outside counsel and serve a key strategic role in defense of employment litigation.


• Support the current Assistant General Counsel, Labor with labor law-related matters, including advising Labor Relations on union organizing and negotiating, responding to NLRB charges and election petitions, and handling labor arbitrations.


• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment and labor laws, and serve as a subject matter expert in certain specialized areas of interest.


• Assist in development of written employment policies and practices.


• Provide periodic updates to clients on significant developments in the law.

What you’ll bring

• Juris Doctor degree


• High degree of independent judgment and responsibility


• Expertise in labor and employment law; experience with benefits law a plus


• Proven ability to recommend creative solutions to complex business problems with employment law implications


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills


• Capability to analyze complex written and verbal information


• Demonstrated judgement delivering practical. business-oriented legal guidance.


• Proven experience managing complex legal matters and overseeing outside counsel.

Requirements

• Education Requirement: Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or LL.M. (Master of Laws)


• Related Experience: 7 yearsas a practicing attorney

What we offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs


• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions


• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays


• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

Who we are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.