Counsel - Employment and Compliance

J.E. Dunn Construction Group Inc P•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

The Counsel – Employment & Compliance will provide broad and in-depth legal support, advice, and guidance to the organization regarding employment and labor law matters, compliance audits, and workplace policy development. This position will partner with internal Human Resources Leaders and other key stakeholders to prepare and review employment-related templates, handbooks and policies, as well as preparing legal evidence and arguments to protect the Company’s interests, manage agency charges, and minimize employment-related legal risk. This role also serves as a key leader of the Company’s enterprise compliance program, with responsibility for overseeing regulatory compliance, reporting, records governance, licensing, affirmative action programs, federal project compliance, corporate ethics, and policy governance across the organization. The position partners with executive leadership to ensure the Company maintains audit readiness and compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory obligations. All activities will be performed in support of the strategy, vision, and values of JE Dunn.

Requirements

Doctorate degree - Juris Doctor (Required)
5+ years of legal experience dedicated to practicing employment law (Required)
Ability to perform work accurately, completely, and in a timely manner.
Communication skills (verbal and written): Advanced.
Ability to follow up on inquiries and employee relations issues in a timely manner.
Analytical skills: Advanced ability to independently analyze complex workplace problems, investigate complaints, and provide legally compliant solutions.
Presentation skills: Advanced ability to conduct effective compliance and legal training presentations.
Proficiency in MS Office: Intermediate.
Legal writing skills: Advanced drafting of policies, position statements, and legal briefs.
Legal research skills: Advanced proficiency tracking evolving employment statutes and case law.
Collaboration: Advanced ability to build strong relationships and collaborate within HR, executive teams, and external partners.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in construction management, architecture, engineering or other technical field (Preferred)
Employment law litigation and compliance counseling experience with a large law firm or corporate legal department (Preferred)
In lieu of the above requirements, equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
In lieu of the above requirements, experience in a related compliance practice, such as corporate governance or regulatory law, may be considered.

Responsibilities

Provides day-to-day legal support and counseling on routine employment and labor law matters across a national footprint.
Reviews and provides guidance on employment-related documents, including consulting agreements, progressive discipline documentation, separation agreements, and confidentiality agreements.
Provides legal counsel and guidance on a variety of HR matters including employee benefits, employee relations, progressive discipline, and workplace accommodations.
Researches and prepares appropriate and effective draft legal opinions, internal memoranda, and employee handbook guidelines & policies.
Interprets federal, state, and local employment laws, rulings, and regulations (e.g., Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, OSHA, NLRB) to help the Company prepare clear, compliant, and effective workplace policies and practices.
Assists with the management of employment-related claims, demands, and administrative charges (e.g., EEOC, DOL, state agencies). Provide assistance to gather and prepare evidence to formulate defenses or initiate legal actions.
Implements and manages litigation hold memoranda for personnel records and related employment evidence.
Provides legal guidance and support to HR and other stakeholders on immigration related employment matters and filings. Partner with outside counsel as appropriate.
Leads, supports, and promotes a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within JE Dunn.
Deeply understands JE Dunn’s policies and ensures positive, proactive compliance and implementation throughout the organization.
Leads enterprise-wide employment compliance strategy, including OFCCP compliance, wage & hour enforcement, and regulatory investigations.
Oversees Affirmative Action Programs (AAPs), including development, audit response, and regulatory compliance for veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Conducts and reports annual pay equity analyses to executive leadership and the Board.
Judges the merits of major employment claims or administrative charges filed against the company, and works with HR executives and business leadership to define a strategic defense or approve settlements where warranted.
Advises Human Resources and executive teams concerning employment liability, the advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, workplace investigation findings, and legal rights/obligations.
Partners with HR Leadership on workplace investigations and provides guidance as it relates to the preparation of evidence to defend the company against employment-related actions.
Helps manage outside legal counsel retained for specialized employment litigation or local labor disputes.
Monitors employment litigation proceedings and tracking legislative updates or shifting regulatory compliance trends.
Assists with the development and delivery of training on legal topics for HR teams and people managers (e.g., anti-harassment, wage and hour compliance, interviewing best practices).
Judges the merits of major claims filed against or on behalf of the region, and works with the appropriate executive and project team to define a strategic defense and approve settlements of disputes where warranted.
Advises the assigned region concerning claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, and legal rights and obligations.
Gathers and prepares evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal actions.
Helps manage outside counsel.
Monitors legal proceedings.
Assists with development and/or training on legal topics.