VP – Associate General Counsel, Labor and Employment

Maximus; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 228,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Maximus seeks a Vice President & Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment, a senior legal leader and subject‑matter expert responsible for a broad range of labor and employment matters worldwide. You will provide strategic, practical, business‑oriented counsel to HR and executive leadership, guiding risk, policy, and workforce solutions in a fast‑paced, global organization.

You will oversee employment‑related litigation and investigations, partnering with business leaders to balance

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admitted to practice law in one or more US states.
• Minimum 13+ years of experience with at least five years in an operational environment, preferably in government services or similarly regulated organizations.
• Expertise across labor & employment law and regulations in the US, Canada, UK and Europe.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s senior legal leader and primary SME for labor and employment matters.
• Provide strategic, practical, business-focused legal counsel to HR and senior leadership globally.
• Oversee employment-related matters and litigation, including management of outside counsel.
• Develop and implement policies and programs in alignment with company strategy and culture.
• Monitor changes to US and international employment regulations and influence policy.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing labor & employment legal team, ensuring accountability and efficiency.

Skills

Labor & Employment Law

Strategic leadership

Regulatory compliance

Litigation management

Education

JD (ABA-accredited)

Tools

Outside counsel management

Job description

The VP & Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment serves as the company’s senior legal leader and primary subject‑matter expert for labor and employment matters. As a member of the Chief Legal Officer’s Leadership Team, this role provides strategic, practical, and business-focused legal counsel to Human Resources and senior leadership across a fast-paced, complex, and global organization.

The VP will advise on a broad range of labor and employment matters, anticipate and mitigate legal and regulatory risk, and partner with business leaders to develop solutions that balance compliance, employee considerations, and organizational objectives. The role will also oversee significant employment-related matters and litigation, directly and through the effective management of outside counsel.

This leader will play a critical role in protecting the company’s legal interests, strengthening employment practices, and enabling business strategy through timely, pragmatic, high‑quality, and cost‑effective legal guidance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

EMPLOYMENT LAW THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC OVERSIGHT

• Develops strategies and plans to help the company identify, resolve and prevent workplace issues involving labor and employment, incorporating relevant Human Resources (HR) policies, legal requirements and business needs, and working in close partnership with HR, program teams, and other legal and compliance professionals.

• Provides counsel on legal issues related to employment matters, including hiring, discipline, terminations, pay and benefits, wage and hour law, workers’ compensation, employment agreements and policy related issues.

• Defends the company in employment‑related litigation, grievances and arbitrations in the United States and globally, including through effective management of outside counsel on employment litigation or investigations to ensure high‑quality and cost‑effective service.

• Delivers sound legal advice and support to HR and the company on all areas of employment and employee relations matters, such as internal investigations, training, federal, state, and local employment regulations, employee complaints, organizational change activities, equity and inclusion activities, and the development and implementation of company policies and programs.

• Proactively monitors changes to US and international employment and labor regulations and helps design and influence policy that is consistent with our culture and ensures company compliance with regulating bodies.

• Ensures ongoing awareness of external perspectives (i.e., governments, advocacy organizations, thought leaders) to anticipate and identify trends and changes that influence current and future policies in the labor & employment space.

LEADERSHIP OF A HIGH PERFORMING TEAM

• Effectively lead a high‑performing team of legal professionals focused on labor & employment issues.

• Actively monitor and report on trends regarding labor & employment issues across the Company.

• Create and foster an inclusive, ethical, accountable and fast‑paced culture, in alignment with the Company mission.

• Drive a performance‑based culture with appropriate accountability.

• Ensure effective execution of strategies, budgets, forecasting, training, innovation, operational metrics and management reporting.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES & CHARACTERISTICS

• Exceptional problem‑solving skills, judgment, strategic thinking and business acumen. Ability to quickly analyze and propose a course of action.

• Excellent communication (oral and written), executive presence, organization, analytical and interpersonal skills. Ability to clearly communicate complex concepts to internal clients and external stakeholders.

• Ability to work effectively with people across all levels, cultures and geographies to build cross‑functional relationships in a global, matrixed model.

• Agile learner who has a tolerance for ambiguity, can make decisions in uncertainty, and who is a problem solver who moves with speed and decisiveness.

• Engagement in all aspects of the labor and employment litigation process, including assessing risk, developing strategy, partnering with outside counsel, reviewing pleadings, and ensuring compliance with e‑discovery requirements.

Minimum Requirements

COMPETENCIES /CHARACTERISTICS

• Established leader in all areas of labor & employment law.

• Exceptional communicator with ability to influence and inspire others.

• Trusted advisor to executive leadership.

• Champion of change who engages broadly, who has a tolerance for ambiguity, and who can make decisions in uncertainty.

• Agile Learner who is comfortable in fast‑paced environment with constant change.

• Strong collaborator who leverages internal and external networks.

• Problem solver who moves with speed and decisiveness.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• JD from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).

• Admitted to practice law in one or more states in the United States.

• A minimum of 13+ years of experience with at least five years of experience in an operational environment, preferably in the government services industry or other complex, highly‑regulated organization.

• Expertise in the areas of labor & employment law and regulation, including with respect to National Labor Relations Act, FMLA and ADA matters, and other laws and regulations related to employment practices in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Maximus is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics.

Minimum Salary

$227,800

Maximum Salary

$280,000