Counsel - Investigations

NiSource • Columbus, OH

4d

About The Position

NiSource Counsel– Investigations; provides legal advice and leads internal investigations to support the Company and business partners on complex matters combining knowledge of one or more legal specialties with sound business acumen and knowledge of business goals & objectives. The NiSource Counsel – Investigations is responsible for managing confidential organizational investigations and advising leaders on the corrective action process for ethical misconduct and behavior-related issues for all levels of employees (including leadership). Under limited supervision of the Assistant General Counsel – Ethics, this role draws insights from programmatic trends and elevates strategic recommendations for leadership/employee focus to prevent future issues and enhance organization adherence to policies and procedures. Additionally, the Investigator provides expert advice to other leaders on company and employee risks to influence appropriate leadership action and sanctions where appropriate, and manages projects as assigned. Essential Functions Resolves legal issues and provides proactive, business-savvy legal advice and counsel and leads, manages, and/or conducts thorough Ethics investigations while maintaining confidentiality and highest standards of integrity involving ethics, compliance, and employee misconduct allegations and keeps ethics team and leaders appraised of progress and dispositions. Reviews and revises legal documents and prepares and/or ensures detailed investigative reports with findings, conclusions and recommended corrective action plans providing solutions to address issues while evaluating trends and concerns that need to be escalated or reinforced departmentally or NiSource wide. Develops and implements investigation protocols and best practices and partners with Legal and Business partners to elevate trends and support desired culture Communicates with business partners regarding status updates and collaborates with colleagues in Legal, Human Resources and other departments to ensure thorough and fair investigations and provides expert advice to leaders on employee conduct, company risk and policy interpretation Retains and supervises/manages outside counsel on select matters Assists in training business partners on legal issues and the development and implementation of internal trainings that support the NiSource Ethics Program and foster a culture of continuous improvement Leads and manages projects and other duties as assigned that support improved and efficient Ethics processes including creation and implementation of annual investigation training in collaboration with Legal and Human Resources

Requirements

• Juris Doctor Degree from an accredited law school
• 1-3 years' Experience with handling matters independently
• Able to handle case responsibilities with some supervision
• Exemplary personal and professional integrity and business ethics
• Significant depth of knowledge of employment laws and demonstrated experience dealing with legal issues involving EEOC and other related stakeholders.
• Expert knowledge and experience in conducting and reporting Ethics and Compliance related investigations.
• Exceptional analytical, interviewing, and report-writing skills.
• Ability to manage sensitive issues with discretion and professionalism.
• Proven expertise in dealing effectively with others, including demonstrating the following competencies: personal confidence and strong initiative, effective listening, ability to influence others, and the desire to go above and beyond what is required.
• Microsoft Office suite.
• PeopleSoft and Workday experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage in a fast paced, high stress corporate business environment.
• Must be able to effectively manage and execute tasks with multiple conflicting priorities.
• Results oriented with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively manage varied resources to complete the job.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Ability to effectively and professionally communicate – both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to quickly and effectively establish rapport and trust with all levels of leadership.
• Excellent judgment, critical thinking skills, and analytical ability.
• Ability to balance working both autonomously day-to-day, and collaboratively within a team environment and with other departments overall.
• Ability to think creatively and proactively in identifying potential issues and resolving known issues.
• Ability to navigate complex cases and high case volume with rigorous prioritization and follow-up.
• Desire to continuously learn and stay up to date on Ethics and compliance related trends, issues and best practices.
• Ability to discern issues that need to be escalated.
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Overtime and some travel required.
• Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• 1-3 years’ Experience at a law firm, publicly traded corporation, prosecutor’s office, governmental agency, or other experience in the utility industry or other regulated industry is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

• Resolves legal issues and provides proactive, business-savvy legal advice and counsel and leads, manages, and/or conducts thorough Ethics investigations while maintaining confidentiality and highest standards of integrity involving ethics, compliance, and employee misconduct allegations and keeps ethics team and leaders appraised of progress and dispositions.
• Reviews and revises legal documents and prepares and/or ensures detailed investigative reports with findings, conclusions and recommended corrective action plans providing solutions to address issues while evaluating trends and concerns that need to be escalated or reinforced departmentally or NiSource wide.
• Develops and implements investigation protocols and best practices and partners with Legal and Business partners to elevate trends and support desired culture
• Communicates with business partners regarding status updates and collaborates with colleagues in Legal, Human Resources and other departments to ensure thorough and fair investigations and provides expert advice to leaders on employee conduct, company risk and policy interpretation
• Retains and supervises/manages outside counsel on select matters
• Assists in training business partners on legal issues and the development and implementation of internal trainings that support the NiSource Ethics Program and foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Leads and manages projects and other duties as assigned that support improved and efficient Ethics processes including creation and implementation of annual investigation training in collaboration with Legal and Human Resources

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees