Counsel, Employment & Litigation

Valvoline Global • Lexington, KY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Employment & Litigation Counsel serves as a key legal advisor to Valvoline Global Operations (VGO), providing strategic and day-to-day counsel on employment law, litigation, and global compliance matters. This role partners closely with Risk, Human Resources, the Employee Relations Center of Excellence (COE), and the Ethics & Compliance COE to proactively manage disputes and legal risk, ensure consistent application of policies, and support a fair and compliant workplace across jurisdictions.

As a highly capable individual contributor, this position independently manages complex employment matters, leads aspects of litigation and investigations, and plays a critical role in global compliance initiatives—including audit support, policy harmonization, and dispute resolution across the organization. Counsel exercises strong legal judgment, influences decision-making, and drives alignment on global practices with evolving legal and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• 5–8+ years of relevant, progressive legal experience, with a strong focus on employment law and litigation (in-house and/or law firm experience)
• Demonstrated experience managing employment litigation and agency matters independently
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment laws and regulations, including FLSA, FMLA, ADA, Title VII, and state equivalents
• Familiarity with global employment law considerations and multi-jurisdictional environments
• Proven ability to lead complex internal investigations and direct sensitive employee relations matters
• Experience working with HR, Employee Relations, and/or Compliance functions
• Strong business acumen with the ability to develop practical, risk-balanced legal strategy
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and discretion

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting government investigations, audits, compliance initiatives, or regulatory reviews preferred

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to HR, Employee Relations COE, and business leaders, defining proactive risk management strategies and practical legal counsel on complex employment matters
• Lead cross-functional initiatives impacting enterprise-wide employment practices, including on employee relations issues, performance management, disciplinary actions, terminations, and reductions in force
• Influence senior leaders and drive alignment on complex leave management and accommodation matters, including FMLA, ADA, ERISA, and applicable state/local requirements
• Develop frameworks and standards for handling employment laws across multiple jurisdictions, promoting global consistency while accounting for local requirements
• Define and drive employment legal strategy, aligning with business objectives, in the development of global employment policies, procedures, and guidelines
• Lead management of certain commercial, regulatory, class action, and employment-related claims, (including agency charges, demand letters, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution)
• Direct outside counsel, including strategy development, case oversight, and budget management
• Conduct early case assessments, conduct fact investigations and legal research, evaluate risk exposure, and develop resolution strategies aligned with business objectives
• Develop and execute practical, business-oriented litigation and pre-litigation strategies to proactively position disputes for favorable outcomes
• Lead high-risk and complex disputes, engaging senior leadership as appropriate
• Independently lead sensitive and complex internal investigations, including allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and misconduct
• Collaborate with Employee Relations and Ethics & Compliance COEs to lead consistent and thorough investigative processes
• Develop clear findings, documentation, and actionable recommendations to leadership
• Support external and internal audits (including Aramco-related audits), ensuring timely, accurate, and well-documented responses and follow-ups
• Establish consistent legal positions and guidance across the organization to ensure alignment with legal and compliance requirements
• Partner with Ethics & Compliance and HR to strengthen global employment compliance frameworks
• Develop and deliver training and educational content for HR and business leaders on employment law topics, emerging trends, and regulatory changes
• Collaborate closely with Employee Relations COE and Ethics & Compliance COE to drive investigations, policy application, and risk mitigation strategies
• Lead large-scale, global initiatives, providing subject matter expertise on employment compliance considerations
• Influence global employment project outcomes by identifying and anticipating risks and proactively shaping organizational response
• Influence business leaders and regional legal teams to develop pragmatic solutions that reduce future litigation exposure

Benefits

• Health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision)
• Health Savings Account (with employer-base deposit and match)
• Flexible spending accounts
• Competitive 401(k) with generous employer base deposit and match
• Incentive opportunity
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts
• PTO Buy/Sell Options
• Tuition reimbursement
• Adoption assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior