Global Chief Counsel, Employment Law & Investigations

Aon Corporation • Chicago, IL

5d • $300,000 - $350,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Chief Counsel, Employment Law & Investigations, is an executive Law and Compliance position responsible for partnering with the People Organization, setting and executing Aon’s global employment law strategy in line with Aon’s people risk management strategy.
The position serves as the company’s senior legal advisor on all global employment law matters and internal investigations for the enterprise. The role provides strategic counsel for executive leadership and the People Organization, oversees complex and sensitive internal investigations, and ensures the company’s employment practices align with legal requirements, ethical standards, and business objectives across the jurisdictions in which Aon operates.
The Global Chief Counsel, Employment Law and Investigations is a key member of the Law and Compliance Executive leadership team, as well as a member of the Global People Risk Committee and plays a critical role in protecting the company’s reputation, culture, and workforce.
The role will lead a global team of employment lawyers and specialists, working closely with regional and functional law support where necessary, ensuring that Aon’s People Organization supports business objectives, reinforces Aon’s values, and complies with applicable laws and regulations worldwide.
This is a hybrid role, based in Chicago, New York, or London, with an expectation of at least three days per week in the office to enable close collaboration with senior stakeholders and key functional partners. The successful candidate will be ready to support Aon’s key strategic priorities—including M&A, growth in critical markets, and large-scale transformation initiatives—and will bring a strong understanding of Aon’s critical markets and regulatory environments.
Aon is in the business of better decisions
At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive team and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

Requirements

• Law degree (JD or equivalent) and admission to practice in at least one key Aon jurisdiction.
• 12+ years of post‑qualification experience in employment law, including significant in‑house experience with a global or highly regulated organization, or top‑tier law firm experience with multinational clients.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex cross‑border employment issues and multi‑jurisdictional projects.
• Proven track record of leading and developing diverse, geographically dispersed legal teams.
• Demonstrated understanding of key global employment markets (e.g., North America, UK/EMEA, and other critical jurisdictions for Aon) and how local requirements impact global strategy.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, with regular in‑office presence (minimum three days per week) based in Chicago, New York, or London.
• Strong background in: M&A and other strategic transactions, including employment aspects of due diligence and integration. Large-scale restructurings and reorganization projects Restrictive covenant disputes and/or litigation Senior executive employment and compensation matters Discrimination, harassment, and whistleblowing claims Workers councils, unions, and collective bargaining (where applicable)
• Strategic mindset – Translates legal and regulatory developments into clear business implications and strategies that support Aon’s priorities. Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced, matrixed, and highly regulated environment.
• Business acumen – Understands commercial drivers, critical markets, and the broader risk and regulatory landscape.
• Executive communication – Communicates complex legal issues clearly and concisely to senior, non‑legal stakeholders.
• Decision-making & judgment – Balances legal risk with commercial objectives; comfortable making recommendations under uncertainty.
• Influence & collaboration – Builds strong relationships with the People Organization, business leaders, and functional partners across regions.
• Change leadership – Supports and enables major firm and functional strategic initiatives (including M&A and transformation) and drives change in policies, processes, and culture.
• Cultural agility – Operates effectively across multiple cultures, legal systems, and time zones.
• Integrity & confidentiality – Demonstrates the highest ethical standards, discretion and sound professional judgment.
• Inspirational and Collaborative leader- experience managing and inspiring high performing teams and influencing senior leaders. Calm under pressure, especially when handling sensitive or high‑stakes matters. Empathetic and skilled at building trust across diverse teams.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in financial services, insurance, or other regulated industries is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Aon’s global employment law strategy, aligned with business priorities and risk appetite.
• Advise on all aspects of employment law, including hiring, performance management, discipline, terminations, compensation and benefits, incentives, equity plans, accommodations, wage and hour compliance, workplace safety, wellbeing, equal employment obligations, cross border mobility, expatriate arrangements and employee relations.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and periodic review of employment policies, handbooks, and training programs, ensuring compliance across jurisdictions.
• Advise on the use of AI in talent-related initiatives, ensuring compliance with employment laws and ethical guidelines.
• Support the People Organization on workforce strategy, organizational design, and change‑management initiatives (e.g., restructurings, global capability centers, reductions‑in‑force, M&A integration).
• Manage employment, restrictive covenant and trade-secret‑related litigation, claims, and agency matters, including strategy, budgeting, and oversight of outside counsel.
• Serve as the principal trusted adviser to senior leadership and the People Organization on complex, high‑impact employment law issues.
• Anticipate regulatory trends and advise on their implications for Aon’s workforce strategy, operating model, and culture.
• Ensure employment law support is fully integrated into Aon’s strategic priorities, including M&A, market expansion, and business transformation.
• Design and maintain global employment law governance frameworks (policies, standards, escalation protocols).
• Support and maintain risk assessment and monitoring processes with the People Organization to identify, evaluate, and mitigate employment law risks across regions, with particular focus on Aon’s critical markets.
• In cooperation with other control function stakeholders, lead the company’s internal investigations program, ensuring timely, thorough, and fair investigations into allegations of misconduct, including harassment, discrimination, retaliation, fraud, conflicts of interest, and other violations of Aon’s Code of Business Conduct and related policies.
• Establish and maintain investigation protocols, reporting standards, and quality controls to ensure consistency and defensibility.
• Provide guidance to and partner with the People Organization, Compliance, Internal Audit, Regional Commercial law support, Litigation team, and business leaders on investigation strategy, risk assessment, and remediation.
• Oversee the tracking, analysis, and reporting of investigation trends to identify systemic issues and recommend corrective actions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and the General Counsel advising the Board (as appropriate) on high‑risk and/or sensitive matters.
• Provide pragmatic advice on hiring, terminations, restructurings, compensation, benefits, performance management, wellbeing, and cross-border mobility.
• Play a key role in M&A and strategic initiatives, including due diligence, workforce transition, and post-deal implementation.
• Support major organizational changes from an employment law perspective.
• Advise on executive-level employee relations and sensitive senior exits.
• Oversee and coordinate significant employment litigation, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings globally.
• On all employment-related matters, select, instruct, and manage external counsel; drive efficient, high-quality outcomes and cost control.
• Set global standards for case assessment, settlement strategy, and reporting of material employment-related disputes.
• Engage with labor authorities, regulators, and works councils on strategic matters as needed, particularly in priority and high‑impact markets.
• Lead, develop, inspire and mentor a global team of employment lawyers and professionals across multiple jurisdictions.
• Build a high-performing, collaborative culture that emphasizes practical, business‑oriented advice and accountability.
• Drive continuous improvement and an innovative culture around employment law practices including utilization of AI tools.
• Set team objectives, manage budgets, allocate resources effectively and efficiently across regions and solution lines, with focus on critical markets and growth areas, while ensuring that the employment law function operates in line with the Law and Compliance operating model.
• Promote knowledge sharing and consistent practices across the global employment law community.
• Design and deliver training for the People Organization, managers, and leaders on key employment law topics and emerging risks.
• Partner with the People Organization and Compliance to embed a strong culture of respect and ethical conduct in the workplace.
• Lead horizon‑scanning and internal briefings on new legislation, case law, and regulatory expectations affecting employment, especially in Aon’s strategically important and emerging markets.
• Foster an AI-centric culture within the team, staying on top of emerging AI applications, adopting AI to automate routine tasks, boosting productivity and effectiveness of the team.

Benefits

• Aon offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and regular part-time colleagues, including, but not limited to: a 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions; an employee stock purchase plan; consideration for long-term incentive awards at Aon’s discretion; medical, dental and vision insurance. This role does not accrue vacation. Rather, this role is eligible to take paid time off at the discretion of the employee and management in accordance with company policy and practices. Various other types of leaves of absence; paid sick leave as provided under state and local paid sick leave laws, short-term disability and optional long-term disability, health savings account, health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts, employee and dependent life insurance and supplemental life and AD&D insurance; optional personal insurance policies, adoption assistance, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and an employee assistance program that includes free counseling sessions. Eligibility for benefits is governed by the applicable plan documents and policies.

What This Job Offers

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