Corporate Counsel II - Labor & Employment

ALDI•Aurora, IL

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

ALDI is seeking a Corporate Counsel II to research, analyze, and provide timely legal advice and counseling on labor and employment matters. The role focuses particularly on employment compliance, OSHA and workplace safety requirements, regulatory developments, litigation risk, and operational risk mitigation, and may support other legal matters as appropriate. The position contributes to Legal projects and drives related tasks, following ALDI’s Management System, Code of Conduct, Employee Handbook, Sustainability Principles, and company policies. The attorney provides strategic counsel to assigned business units and works with leaders, business partners, Human Resources, Employee Relations, Safety, Operations, outside counsel, and other stakeholders. Responsibilities include monitoring legal and workplace-safety developments; assessing risks and legal issues across multiple jurisdictions; supporting investigations, inspections, litigation-related matters, and workforce policies; and drafting, reviewing, and negotiating legal documents and agreements. The role also helps implement Legal programs, improve processes, and support company initiatives. This is a full-time position based in Aurora, Illinois, and is eligible for ALDI’s Legal Hybrid Work Program, requiring in-office work at least twice per month. Domestic travel is required, up to 10%. Starting salary is $155,250, with stated increases to $165,500 in Year 2 and $176,000 in Year 3.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school required, or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
At least 5 years of progressive experience in a legal environment required.
Licensed to practice in Illinois, or have the immediate ability to become licensed, required.
Experience in employment law, labor law, OSHA and workplace safety compliance, regulatory law, litigation, contract law, commercial transactions, and/or data privacy required.
Knowledge of U.S. employment and labor law, OSHA, state health and safety laws, and workplace safety compliance requirements.
Ability to assist in defending the company against litigation, administrative charges, agency investigations, and regulatory matters.
Knowledge of how legal issues affect organizations and ability to coordinate legal considerations with business objectives.
Excellent verbal and written communication and customer service skills, including communicating accurately with non-lawyers and a wide range of individuals.
Strong time management, interpersonal, relationship-building, collaboration, presentation, problem-solving, analytical, and negotiation skills.
Ability to analyze and present complex data, anticipate legal risks, and exercise sound judgment.
Ability to assess employment-law, OSHA, and workplace-safety compliance risks and provide practical guidance that supports business objectives.
Ability to interpret and apply company policies and procedures.
Ability to organize, multitask, and prioritize efficiently while meeting strict deadlines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to work collaboratively, plan and organize workflow, and apply creative solutions.
Knowledge of retail industry standards and practices.
Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
Domestic travel required, up to 10%.

Nice To Haves

Experience combining law-firm and corporate or in-house legal work is preferred.

Responsibilities

Communicate effectively and keep the direct leader informed about issues, status, and results of assigned tasks.
Identify legal issues and recommend responsive actions, with an emphasis on risk mitigation.
Advise business partners on employment and labor law, OSHA and workplace safety requirements, and related risk mitigation.
Engage with leadership, business units, and external parties involved in legal matters.
Partner with and manage outside counsel and relevant external consultants.
Evaluate legal issues across multiple jurisdictions and nationwide, and report findings and recommendations to the direct leader.
Recommend process improvements in the area of responsibility.
Provide strategic counsel to assigned business units on a wide range of legal issues and employment matters, including policies, employee relations, investigations, accommodations, discipline, separations, wage and hour issues, and workplace safety compliance.
Monitor legal trends, laws, legislation, regulations, court decisions, and OSHA and workplace-safety developments; communicate impactful updates to relevant business units.
Identify and analyze legal issues by reviewing applicable statutes, judicial decisions, and codes.
Draft legal memorandums, case assessments, attorney correspondence, reports, and other work product identifying exposures and risks.
Partner with internal stakeholders to create and implement workforce policies and strategies.
Work with Human Resources, Employee Relations, Safety, Operations, and other stakeholders on OSHA compliance, workplace safety incidents, government investigations, inspections, citations, corrective actions, and related employment matters.
Serve as a business liaison, including creating and reviewing related agreements.
Perform pre-litigation work to reduce risk and potential liability involving employment claims, administrative charges, OSHA matters, and workplace safety disputes.
Develop proactive, cost-effective solutions to eliminate or mitigate legal and business risks.
Support effective implementation and communication of Legal programs and provide visibility into milestones and progress.
Help develop and implement process improvements and infrastructure solutions for the Legal department.
Ensure compliance with legal documentation and company policies.
Prepare and analyze data to identify exposures and risks, and conduct proactive analysis of current projects and reported results.
Perform special projects as requested and other duties as assigned.
Draft, review, and negotiate agreements.
Collaborate with team members and communicate relevant information to leadership.
Comply with ALDI privacy and security requirements when responsibilities involve access to confidential or sensitive information.