Senior Labor & Employment Counsel, USA

ABB; Cary (AR); Remote; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

ABB is seeking a Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for the USA to lead the design and implementation of L&E strategies ensuring compliance and risk mitigation. You will partner with business units, provide strategic legal advice, manage disputes, and support HR and compliance initiatives across the Motion, Electrification & Automation businesses in the USA.

The role supports remote candidates nationwide (prefer Eastern/Central Time Zones) and requires JD with 10+ years in US employment law,

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree with US bar admission or eligibility.
• 10+ years in US Employment and Labor Law with in-house experience preferred.
• Experience managing litigation and advising on multi-jurisdictional matters.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage employment litigation strategy and outside counsel relationships.
• Advise on union contracts, labor negotiations, and employee relation issues.
• Oversee HR compliance training and audits; ensure governance for M&A/divestitures.

Skills

US Employment Law

Labor Relations

Litigation Management

Negotiation

Cross-border advisory

Education

Juris Doctor

Business/HR degree (preferred)

Job description

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner—and every person here makes that happen. You’ll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

This position reports to:

Head L&E and Corporate Governance

As Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for the USA, you will be offered the opportunity to share and influence the design and/or implementation of Labor and Employment strategies to ensure that the ABB business is always operating within a sound legal, compliance and regulatory framework on all Labor & Employment (L&E) matters for USA.

This position will handle a broad range of L&E activities (either directly or through local legal counsels) and act as a strategic business partner across all Business Areas (BA), under the strategic direction of the Global Head of L&E law for Motion. Provide critical strategic input to develop the L&E USA in collaboration with the Group Head L&E and Heads of L&E for BA’s and support regional strategy for Motion.

This role is open to remote candidates located within the United States (with a preference for those in the Eastern or Central Time Zones to be able to easily interface with internal customers domestically and internationally). #LI-Remote

This role is contributing to the Motion, Electrification & Automation Business, BA Function Legal & Integrity in USA.

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Employment Related Litigation: Manage all employment related litigation. Such management could be advisory and/or strategic in nature. Being actively involved in forming litigation and/or settlement strategy. Handling settlement negotiations. Determining who will act as outside counsel and oversee fees and costs. Acting as a liaison between outside counsel and the ABB Business Unit involved in litigation.
• Labor & Employment Issues: Formulating strategies for Union contracts and, depending on the situation, become directly involved with the Union negotiations. Manage Union related issues such as union avoidance, union organizing campaigns, labor arbitrations, etc. Providing human resources professionals and Company management with sound legal advice and counsel on employment issues to minimize potential legal exposure. Areas of consultation include, but are not limited to: severance packages; separation agreements; employee performance issues; vetting decisions to terminate employment; complying with state and federal employment laws; draft/review any employment related agreements; provide interpretation/guidance on employment restrictive covenants (i.e. non-competes, trade secrets, etc); and perform labor and employment due diligence related to acquisitions. Advise on internal investigations into code of conduct/human resource compliance issues. Review and provide legal guidance on employment policies and procedures; update same as law develops. Keep human resources professionals and Company management apprised of legal and legislative developments relating to employment and labor relations. Oversee fiduciary activities for Benefit and Investment Committee matters on a need basis, to ensure they conform to ERISA standards. Serve as a strategic legal advisor on emerging HR and L&E technologies, including digital and behavioral assessments, anticipating regulatory developments and mitigating organizational, reputational, and litigation risk.
• Management of Legal Administrative Labor & Employment Actions: Oversee all legal administrative charges from external federal or state agencies (such as EEOC and NLRB). Managing and conducting mediations that arise from external claims.
• Training & Audits: Providing employment related compliance training, through the development and personal presentation of training or through coordination with an appropriate training source. Developing and executing “train the trainer” programs for providing workplace compliance training. Identifying areas of potential risk and/or exposure and take appropriate actions to minimize such risk. Examples include internal audits, appropriate training, policy reviews. Ensuring good corporate governance (including structuring, drafting, and negotiation) in your area of accountability within the country, with respect to Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) / divestiture transactions.

Qualifications for the role:

• Juris Doctor Degree and at least 10+ years’ experience in US Employment and Labor Law (additional Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Human Resources preferred)
• Prior litigation experience or extensive experience in managing litigation as an inhouse attorney
• Technical ability to research, review and understand local, state and federal employment laws and how they relate to Company’s business operations
• Strong people skills, including negotiations
• Superior communication skills (both verbal and written) with all levels of internal and external stakeholders
• Successful ability to multi-task
• Strong organizational, collaborative and follow up skills
• Work experience in a multinational environment and providing advice in relation to multi-jurisdictional/ cross-border projects, including exposure to strategic business decisions
• Willing to work flexible hours when necessary to connect with colleagues abroad.
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Candidates must already possess authorization to work for ABB in the US.

What's in it for you:

We empower you to take initiative, challenge ideas, and lead with