Counsel, Employment (Americas)

Zendesk • Austin, TX

6d • $170,000 - $254,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Zendesk is seeking a strategic legal partner to join our Global Employment Legal team as Counsel, Employment for Americas. In this role, you will be an integral part of Zendesk’s stunning Legal team, proactively identifying and solving complex employment/labor law challenges across the Americas (specifically, the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil). In advising, you’ll be effectively balancing business needs, legal risk, and cost considerations while supporting positive and legally compliant workplaces throughout the region. This role involves close and ongoing collaboration with stakeholders across the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil to provide guidance on employment/labor-related legal matters, where you will smartly balance risk and compliance with global business objectives that aligns with our Company culture. This role will report directly to the VP, Legal (Global Employment), who is based in California.

Requirements

• You are a qualified lawyer in good standing in the US state where you are based
• You have a deep knowledge of employment laws across the region, with at least 7 years of experience advising on employment law matters in the US, Canada and either Mexico or Brazil within a multinational company and/or top-tier law firm.
• You are a proactive and dynamic self-starter with a results-driven mindset and keen attention to detail, with an open mind and the ability to adjust and pivot quickly as business needs change.
• You possess the ability to anticipate and apply a reality-based assessment of risks, think strategically, keep a cool head in high-stress situations and don’t agonize over decisions.
• You are able to provide innovative solutions and align legal advice with business objectives while translating legal complexities into practical, actionable guidance for non-legal stakeholders.
• You are experienced with advising on regionally based employment-related disputes, investigations, and in holding sensitive conversations.
• You work effectively and collaboratively with stakeholders across different functions and levels, and one of your superpowers is building trust and influence across organizations.
• You thrive in a dynamic setting where priorities shift and quick, informed decision-making is critical.
• You are committed to Zendesk’s core values, including being customer focused, innovative, and committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.
• You act at all times with integrity, courage and empathy, without losing your sense of humor.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in the technology or SaaS industry.
• Experience working in multicultural environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise on employment/labor-related matters throughout the Americas region where Zendesk has employees, and, where appropriate, training to HR and other stakeholders on a broad range of employment issues and best practices
• Proactively identify, assess, and balance employment law risk, and offer practical, business-oriented and creative solutions in partnership with the HR and business teams, presenting nuanced employment law concepts in a clear, compelling manner with the goal of ensuring understanding and alignment
• Collaborate with the Global Employment Legal team to stay abreast of, and advise Zendesk on, meaningful employment-related legal developments across the US, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. When necessary, provide relevant in-depth competitive and market analysis to shape employment strategies that anticipate employment law risks, mitigate potential issues, and proactively implement solutions that align with Zendesk’s business goals
• Collaborate with the Global Employment Legal team on global projects and issues, bringing in HR and other stakeholders as appropriate to design and implement local and/or global progressive workplace policies and initiatives. Help build efficient and scalable internal processes, tools and systems to assist internal stakeholders, including leveraging technology and AI
• Support HR/ER partners on investigations into allegations of misconduct and other employee relations issues, including discrimination and harassment, and advise on performance management, reorganizations, and terminations. When necessary, c ollaborate with Zendesk’s litigation lead on America’s-based employment-related litigation; and
• Select, manage and use outside counsel effectively

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed