We are currently looking for a dynamic Employment Counsel and Director of HR to report directly to the VP of People Operations. Based in our Boston office, this leader will be the in-house expert on employee relations and employment law operations globally. This is a leadership role within the People function and is part of a team of super smart people who live on passion, creativity, commitment, and fun, and the fact that everyone makes an impact here. Creating our space in a new industry is not for everyone. The right candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, innovative, work-hard, play-hard environment.

We care about people, growth, excellence and results. We tend to lose sleep over them as this is not easy. Bottom line, we are in search of real people that believe in and deliver the impossible every day.

Responsibilities of the Employment Counsel and Director of HR include:

• Providing labor and employment-related legal advice and counsel to the company's leadership and management team and guide Human Resources practices. This responsibility includes legal research and oral and written advice on a broad range of employment and labor law issues, e.g., terminations and discipline, reorganizations, leaves of absence and reasonable accommodations, wage and hour considerations, benefits, compensation plans, harassment and discrimination investigations and outcomes.
• Hands-on management of labor and employment claims and matters, including mediations, arbitration and litigation, not through management of outside counsel.
• Investigating and responding to attorney demand letters; Initiating, researching and drafting pleadings, discovery requests and responses, briefs, and internal memorandum.
• Obtaining and defending depositions and conducting other discovery.
• Preparing witnesses for depositions, hearings, arbitration and trials.
• Drafting settlement and separation agreements.
• Responding to subpoenas relating to current and former employees.
• Staying current with new legal developments, trends and innovations.
• Participating in investigations in collaboration with the HR partners.
• Developing and delivering training and development to employees on employment matters.
• Reviewing and drafting company employment-related policies and manuals and employee communications.
• Identifying and developing appropriate compliance strategies to ensure company-wide compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements for the broader HR function and for other company functions as needed.
• Providing labor law advice and counsel.
• Developing templates and processes.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Expertise in labor and employment law.
• Ability to research and provide counsel on employment matters at all of our global locations; Build a knowledge base to guide our management team on local labor laws throughout the US and in our global offices.
• Ability to determine and understand the company’s objectives and risk tolerance and to incorporate the information in making legal decisions.
• Ability to devise legal solutions that reduce financial liability, costs and negative publicity to acceptable levels.
• Ability to conduct and analyze legal research to determine applicable legal principles.
• Knowledge of and ability to analyze effect of company policies on business activities.
• Ability to maintain professional demeanor and focus on objectives in confrontational negotiations.
• Clearly articulate ideas, opinions, and information, in spoken and written form.
• Autonomy; work effectively with minimum supervision.
• Ability to adjust priorities in response to unanticipated events.
• Close attention to detail.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive issues with maturity and professionalism.
• Friendly, upbeat, with a great attitude and willingness to learn.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with employees at all levels.

Experience and Education:

• Juris Doctor degree.
• Admitted to the state bar and in good standing.
• 4-7 years of experience in labor and employment counseling and/or mediation, arbitration and litigation, with at least two years in-house.
• Experience directly handling and conducting employee mediation, arbitration and litigation (not solely through the management of outside counsel).