Associate General Counsel - Employment

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

11d•$213,390 - $260,810

About The Position

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is seeking a strategic, business-minded employment law attorney to join its legal team. This high-visibility role is the company’s sole employment law practitioner and serves as the primary legal advisor to Human Resources, senior leadership, and business units on employment matters ranging from day-to-day counseling to enterprise-level risk management. The position offers the resources of a large in-house legal team, the breadth and autonomy of a sole-practitioner role, and the opportunity to support a mission-driven healthcare company. The attorney will advise on the full employment lifecycle, including employee relations, investigations, leave and accommodation issues, performance management, discipline, terminations, wage and hour compliance, hiring, workforce changes, immigration, and labor relations. The role also develops and updates policies, assesses compliance and emerging legal risks, supports inclusion and belonging initiatives, manages disputes and litigation, delivers training, and collaborates with Legal colleagues on healthcare-industry matters. The position is based in Boston and is eligible for the Flex persona. It is full time, with a listed salary range of $213,390 to $260,810, and 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 of both.
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 NLRA/NLRB labor relations matters.
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 advisor to HR and company leadership, providing proactive counsel across the employment lifecycle.
Advise on employee relations matters, workplace investigations, leaves of absence, disability accommodations, performance management, discipline, and terminations.
Counsel on wage and hour compliance, hiring and recruitment practices, 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, employee handbooks, and workplace procedures.
Assess compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and advise on new legal developments and their business impact.
Monitor employment law trends, 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 on employment practices and programs that support inclusion and belonging while maintaining legal compliance.
Provide guidance on affirmative action, EEO-1 reporting, and OFCCP government contractor compliance.
Assess legal risks related to hiring and screening tools and other HR technologies.
Advise on labor relations, NLRA compliance, management training, and evolving NLRB guidance.
Counsel on labor developments affecting employee handbooks, workplace communications, and social media policies.
Manage and resolve employment disputes through negotiation, mediation, and other pre-litigation methods.
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 complex legal principles into practical guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
Collaborate with Legal colleagues on employment aspects of corporate transactions, vendor agreements, and healthcare and health insurance regulatory matters.
Advise on employment implications of ERISA-governed benefit plans, health plan operations, and regulatory audits.
Support compliance related to HIPAA as it applies to employee health information, ACA employer mandates, and Massachusetts health insurance regulations.