Corporate Counsel - Employment

Watts Water Technologies•North Andover, MA

22h•$142,000 - $166,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As part of Watts’ Legal Department, this attorney supports the Company’s employment law function by partnering with Human Resources and business leaders on employee relations and workplace matters. The position provides practical employment law advice and counseling on topics including wage and hour compliance, accommodations and leave management, performance management, labor relations, and immigration. It also supports workplace investigations, employment litigation, policy development, compliance initiatives, and manager training. The attorney independently manages assigned matters, evaluates and communicates legal risks, exercises sound judgment about escalation, and produces high-quality work product. The position reports to the Assistant General Counsel (Employment) and is based in North Andover, Massachusetts. It is hybrid, with work in the office Monday through Wednesday and remote work Thursday and Friday. Limited travel is generally not expected to exceed 10% of the time, with occasional travel to Company facilities and meetings within North America. Watts describes itself as a leading water-products company with a 150-year history, focused on providing safe, clean water and developing smart, connected, sustainable water solutions. The position is at will. The expected annual salary range is $142,000–$166,000, with actual compensation dependent on individual skills, experience, qualifications, and applicable law.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
Licensed and in good standing to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
3–5 years of employment law experience in a law firm, government agency, or corporate legal department.
Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and issue-spotting skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to independently manage assigned matters and identify issues requiring consultation or escalation.
Strong organization and project-management skills.
Ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice and explain complex legal concepts to diverse audiences.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, changing environment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive, privileged, and attorney-client communications.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with Human Resources, managers, and cross-functional business partners.
Familiarity with federal and state employment laws, including the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, ADEA, FLSA, NLRA, and related state law requirements.
Understanding of and adherence to applicable laws, codes, policies, regulations, and safety practices and procedures, as applicable.
Must establish employment eligibility and satisfactorily complete background checks and required pre-employment testing as a condition of employment.
Commitment to Watts’ values of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement and innovation, and transparency.
Punctuality and dependability; flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and stressful conditions.
Adherence to Watts personnel policies, procedures, standards of process, and seven cultural beliefs: Growth Mindset, Customer-Focused Innovation, Constant Communication, Clear Goals, Collaborate Globally, Be Inclusive, and Take Action.
Maintain productive, collaborative relationships with other Watts employees.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising and counseling Human Resources professionals, managers, and business leaders on employment law and employee relations matters.
Experience supporting a multi-state employer and interpreting varying state and local employment law requirements.
Experience conducting or supporting workplace investigations.
Experience supporting employment litigation, administrative charges, or agency responses.
Experience drafting policies, agreements, training materials, or employee communications.

Responsibilities

Provide practical, timely legal advice to Human Resources and business leaders on employee relations, performance management, discipline, termination, accommodations, leave administration, wage and hour compliance, workforce restructurings, and other workplace matters.
Conduct and oversee workplace investigations involving complaints, policy violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics concerns, and other alleged misconduct; recommend corrective actions and risk mitigation measures.
Manage assigned employment-related litigation, administrative charges, agency matters, and pre-litigation disputes, partnering with outside counsel on strategy, discovery, and case management.
Assist in drafting, reviewing, and updating employment-related policies, agreements, handbooks, communications, and training materials.
Develop and deliver employment law compliance and employee relations training for employees, managers, and business leaders.
Support business initiatives, organizational changes, acquisitions and integrations, workforce planning, and other strategic projects involving employment-related risk.
Monitor employment law developments and emerging workplace topics, including artificial intelligence, employee privacy, and personnel data issues affecting a multi-state and global workforce.
Support Legal Department projects and compliance initiatives, including ethics and compliance programs, training, litigation management, and other legal matters based on Company priorities.
Assume other projects and duties assigned by the Assistant General Counsel, other Legal Team members, or Company management.
Travel occasionally to Company facilities and meetings within North America to support employment matters, investigations, manager training, and strategic projects.