Director, Employment Counsel

HelloFresh • Chicago, IL

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role will primarily support HelloFresh’s Factor brand with site locations in Illinois and Arizona. The Director, Employment Counsel will provide employment counsel for the Factor brand in IL and AZ, advising stakeholders and executives on issues such as hiring, wage and hour, leaves and accommodations, workplace safety, and terminations. This role will also train leadership and cross-functional teams on HR legal compliance, monitor legal trends, and analyze regulatory changes affecting labor and employment. Additionally, the Director will manage employment litigation, demand letters, and agency investigations in IL and AZ, including overseeing the cost-effective use of outside counsel, drafting position statements, responding to demand letters, and negotiating settlements. The role involves partnering with the People team to provide legal guidance on developing and refining company policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as drafting and negotiating various employment-related contracts, including severance and settlement agreements. Other responsibilities will be assigned by leadership.

Requirements

• A J.D. with outstanding academic credentials.
• At least 5+ years of overall labor/employment law experience.
• At least 2+ years of employment litigation experience at a leading law firm.
• An active license in good standing with the Illinois state bar.
• Familiarity and experience with major federal employment laws and Illinois state and local employment laws.

Nice To Haves

• Prior in-house experience (ideally e-commerce and consumer-facing) strongly preferred.
• An ability to work from one of the following HelloFresh locations: Aurora, IL; Chicago, IL; New York, NY.
• Long-term commitment to hybrid work pursuant to the company’s Flex-Hybrid policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide employment counsel for the Factor brand in IL and AZ.
• Advise stakeholders and executives on issues like hiring, wage and hour, leaves and accommodations, workplace safety, and terminations.
• Train leadership and cross-functional teams on HR legal compliance.
• Monitor legal trends and analyze regulatory changes affecting labor and employment.
• Manage employment litigation, demand letters, and agency investigations in IL and AZ.
• Oversee cost-sensitive use of outside counsel, drafting position statements, responding to demand letters, and negotiating settlements.
• Partner with the People team to provide legal guidance on developing and refining company policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• Draft and negotiate various employment-related contracts, including severance and settlement agreements.
• Handle additional responsibilities as assigned by leadership.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 401k with company match that vests immediately upon participation
• Generous PTO, including sabbatical
• Parental leave of up to 16 weeks
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits with options at $0 monthly, effective first day of employment
• Tuition reimbursement for continuing education (upon 2 years of service)
• Up to 85% discount on subscriptions to HelloFresh meal plans (HelloFresh, Green Chef, Everyplate, and Factor_)
• Access to Employee Resource Groups that are open to all employees, including those pertaining to BIPOC, women, veterans, parents, and LGBTQ+
• Inclusive, collaborative, and dynamic work environment within a fast-paced, mission-driven company that is disrupting the traditional food supply chain

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree