Counsel, Employment

OpenAI•San Francisco, CA

4d•$252,000 - $280,000•Hybrid

About The Position

OpenAI is seeking an employment lawyer to help build the legal foundations for its next stage of growth. Working with the employment counsel team and colleagues across the company, this attorney will develop practical approaches to challenging employment issues in a fast-growing AI company. The role involves varied, hands-on work and contributing to a strong employment legal function as the business scales. The attorney will collaborate with experienced employment counsel on US and international employment matters, employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions, and emerging questions about AI in the workplace. A central focus is translating lessons from individual matters into practical policies, guidance, and approaches that work at scale. The attorney will own stakeholder relationships and counseling matters, exercise sound judgment, and take responsibility for outcomes. The role offers collaboration and learning from senior colleagues, with opportunities to deepen expertise and take on increasingly complex matters over time. The position is based in San Francisco, California, and follows a hybrid work model requiring three days in the office per week. Relocation assistance is offered to new employees.

Requirements

At least 7 years of relevant employment law experience at a law firm, in-house legal team, or a combination of both, with a record of excellent work and increasing responsibility.
Strong knowledge of US employment law, including California law, and sound judgment in advising on a broad range of workplace matters.
Ability to analyze unfamiliar issues quickly and translate complex legal requirements into clear, practical recommendations that account for business needs and employee experience.
Ability and interest in building in a fast-growth environment by identifying gaps, developing practical solutions, and implementing them.
Initiative, strong work ethic, consistent follow-through, and ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work at a fast pace.
Ownership of work, openness to feedback, willingness to learn from experienced colleagues, and sound judgment about when to act independently, collaborate, or escalate.
Ability to build trusted relationships through clear communication, discretion, and empathy, and contribute to a collaborative, knowledge-sharing team.
Curiosity about technology, comfort with ambiguity, and motivation by OpenAI’s mission.
JD and license or qualification to practice in California.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising on international employment matters and the employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions.
Experience providing AI-specific employment law advice, including advice on AI enablement, automation, and employee privacy in workplace or product contexts.

Responsibilities

Help shape OpenAI’s employment legal approach as the company scales by developing practical policies, playbooks, and processes for recurring issues and sound, timely decisions.
Collaborate with senior employment counsel and cross-functional partners on US employment matters, including recruiting and hiring, performance management, employee conduct, leaves of absence, accommodations, and separations.
Own designated stakeholder relationships and counseling matters, providing clear, practical advice and working independently while drawing on team experience and judgment as appropriate.
Advise on international employment matters and support employment aspects of mergers and acquisitions, including diligence and workforce integration, working with local and specialist counsel as appropriate.
Partner on strategic projects and emerging legal questions, including the use of AI in employment and workplace practices.
Translate legal developments and lessons from work into guidance, training, brown bags, and office hours for company stakeholders.
Manage employment disputes, administrative charges, and related matters with colleagues and outside counsel as appropriate.
Draft and negotiate employment documents and agreements, and identify practical ways to strengthen the company’s handling of employment matters as it grows.