Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment

SSP•Ashburn, VA

7d•$156,400 - $225,000•Remote

About The Position

At SSP America, we believe every part of the journey deserves the same care and hospitality we deliver to travelers every day. As food travel experts across North America, our people guide every experience we create. We are searching for an experienced Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment to serve as a trusted partner to our business, providing practical and timely advice on employment and labor matters across the U.S. and internationally. In this role, you will protect the organization, guide leaders through complex decisions, and help build a workplace where our people thrive.

Requirements

A J.D. from an ABA accredited law school with strong academic credentials
Virginia Bar membership in good standing, or membership in another U.S. jurisdiction with eligibility for waiver into Virginia
Minimum 5 years of substantial labor and employment experience counseling clients on HR-related issues
Strong knowledge of federal employment laws, including FLSA, FMLA, and ADA, plus experience in a heavily unionized environment
Experience drafting employment policies and building and delivering employment law training
Ability to explain complex legal issues to non-lawyers in a clear and concise manner
Ability to travel up to 20% within the U.S. and Canada, with overnight stays, and eligibility to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
Ability to pass a criminal background check and required airport security clearances (e.g., TSA, FAA, Transport Canada)

Nice To Haves

in-house counsel experience
ERISA and employee benefits knowledge
support for clients outside the U.S.
experience in the food, beverage, or hospitality industry

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and human resources, shaping how SSP America navigates labor and employment matters
Influence company-wide policy, building practical solutions that comply with the law, meet business objectives, and reduce labor risk
Work on meaningful, high-stakes matters across the U.S. and internationally, from employee relations to NLRB proceedings, arbitrations, and negotiations
Partner across the organization to develop and deliver training that strengthens our employment practices
Make a real difference by protecting our people and our business while supporting a positive, values-driven culture
Advise on day-to-day employee relations matters and develop business-focused solutions
Develop and support corporate employment policies that comply with legal requirements, meet company objectives, and minimize labor risk
Partner with human resources to prepare, direct, and deliver training on relevant employment practices
Monitor labor and employment law developments, decisions, legislation, and regulatory filings that may affect the company, and recommend changes when needed
Provide legal representation, oversight, and guidance for agency administrative charges, audits, investigations, labor relations matters, grievances, litigation, and other adversarial matters
Draft employment policies and agreements, and respond to subpoenas
Build strong cross-organizational relationships, including with human resources professionals and senior leadership
Serve as liaison to outside counsel and manage that relationship in a cost-effective manner
Recommend and deliver actionable KPIs and business metrics that drive meaningful business results
Foster a team environment that supports empowerment, continuous improvement, and innovation