Associate General Counsel

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

1d•$213,390 - $260,810

About The Position

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is seeking a strategic, business-minded employment law attorney to serve as Associate General Counsel — Employment Law. This high-visibility role is the company’s sole employment law practitioner and primary legal advisor to Human Resources, senior leadership, and business units on employment law matters, from day-to-day counseling to enterprise-level risk management. The position combines the resources of a large in-house legal team with the breadth and autonomy of a sole-practitioner role, supporting a mission-driven healthcare company. The attorney will advise on employee relations, workplace investigations, leave and accommodation issues, wage and hour compliance, hiring, workforce changes, immigration matters, policies, regulatory compliance, pay equity, inclusion and belonging, labor relations, disputes, litigation, and employment-related training. The role also collaborates across Legal on healthcare-industry matters, including corporate transactions, employee benefits, health plan operations, and regulatory requirements. The position is based in Boston, is eligible for the Flex persona, and is full-time. The posted salary range is $213,390 to $260,810, and the role is also eligible for variable pay. The company offers paid time off, medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k), and well-being benefits to eligible employees.

Requirements

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar.
Eight or more years of progressive employment law experience at a reputable law firm, in-house legal department, or a combination thereof.
Deep expertise in federal and Massachusetts employment laws, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, MEPA, the Massachusetts Wage Act, the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, and affirmative action/OFCCP compliance.
Demonstrated experience managing employment litigation and representing employers before administrative agencies.
Proven ability to serve as a trusted, strategic advisor to senior business leaders.
Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
Strong business judgment and ability to contextualize legal risk within business priorities.
Ability to manage a high volume of matters, prioritize effectively, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

In-house experience at a health plan, health system, insurance company, or other regulated industry.
Substantive knowledge of ERISA, COBRA, ACA employer provisions, and employee benefits law.
Experience advising on labor relations matters involving the NLRA or NLRB.
Familiarity with employment-based immigration law, including visa and green card sponsorship.
Experience with AI governance in employment, employee data privacy, and pay equity auditing.
Background advising on workforce integration during M&A transactions, divestitures, or organizational restructurings.
Experience managing outside counsel relationships, budgets, and legal operations.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary employment law business partner to HR and company leadership, providing proactive counsel throughout the employment lifecycle.
Advise on employee relations, investigations, leaves of absence, disability accommodations, performance management, discipline, and terminations.
Counsel on wage and hour compliance, hiring and recruitment, workforce restructurings, reductions in force, and organizational change.
Lead legal support for employment-based immigration, visa sponsorship, green card processes, and I-9 compliance.
Develop, review, and update employment policies, handbooks, and workplace procedures.
Assess compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and advise on legal developments and business impacts.
Monitor employment-law developments, including AI in employment decisions, pay transparency, employee data privacy, and non-compete reform.
Advise on pay equity compliance, compensation audits, and salary transparency practices.
Partner with HR leadership to support inclusion and belonging while maintaining legal compliance.
Provide guidance on affirmative action, EEO-1 reporting, and OFCCP requirements; assess risks involving hiring tools and HR technologies.
Advise on labor relations, NLRA compliance, management training, NLRB guidance, handbooks, workplace communications, and social media policies.
Manage and resolve employment disputes through negotiation, mediation, and other pre-litigation processes.
Represent the company before administrative agencies, including the EEOC, MCAD, and Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.
Manage outside counsel in employment litigation and administrative proceedings, including litigation strategy, budgets, and outcomes.
Track and report litigation trends, matter spend, and risk exposure to the General Counsel.
Design and deliver employment-law training for managers, HR, and employees.
Translate legal principles into practical guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
Collaborate with Legal colleagues on employment-related aspects of corporate transactions, vendor agreements, and healthcare and health insurance regulatory matters.
Advise on ERISA-governed benefit plans, health plan operations, regulatory audits, HIPAA as it pertains to employee health information, ACA employer mandates, and Massachusetts health insurance regulations.