Lead Counsel, Employment, Benefits & Executive Compensation

McKesson•Richmond, FL

6d•$156,800 - $261,300•Hybrid

About The Position

McKesson is seeking a Lead Counsel, Employment to join its Technology, Risk & People (TRP) pillar within the MMS Legal Department. This role is crucial for MMS's transition to a standalone company. The TRP team offers practical, business-oriented legal support for human resources, employee benefits, executive compensation, technology, compliance, and risk management. The position provides day-to-day advice on employment, workforce, benefits, and people-related matters, partnering with stakeholders to identify and mitigate legal risks, support business initiatives, and develop practical solutions. The role requires sound judgment, collaboration, a proactive mindset, and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment. The Lead Counsel will act as a strategic partner to senior leaders in HR, Finance, Compensation, and business operations, assessing risks, guiding workforce decisions, developing governance and compliance frameworks, and shaping long-term people strategies. This role offers the opportunity to build foundational processes and legal frameworks for a growing, independent healthcare company.

Requirements

JD and active U.S. bar membership
10-15 years of relevant legal experience at a law firm and/or in-house legal department
Experience with employment law counseling
Experience with HR policy development
Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex legal matters and influence executive-level decision-making.
Strong executive presence with the ability to advise and challenge senior leaders while maintaining trusted relationships.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives across HR, Finance, Compliance, Internal Audit, Regulatory Affairs, and business operations.
Working knowledge of 50 state labor and employment laws
Strong drafting, negotiation, and issue-spotting skills
Strong research skills
Ability to provide clear, practical legal guidance
Proven ability to adapt to evolving business needs and operate effectively in ambiguous situations
Strong collaboration and communication skills

Nice To Haves

Benefit plan design and administration legal counseling
Executive compensation legal counseling
Working knowledge of benefits and executive compensation laws
Experience in the healthcare, life sciences, pharmaceutical, medical device, healthcare technology, or healthcare distribution industries.

Responsibilities

Serve as the company's lead legal advisor on labor, employment, employee benefits, and executive compensation matters, providing strategic, risk-based counsel on complex and high-profile workforce issues, organizational changes, executive matters, and enterprise initiatives.
Lead legal support for enterprise-wide workforce, benefits, and executive compensation initiatives.
Design and implement scalable legal, compliance, and governance frameworks that support organizational growth, workforce transformation, and public-company readiness.
Partner across legal functions to develop coordinated enterprise risk management strategies.
Draft or comment on various HR, employment and benefits related agreements, policies and guidelines.
Partner with HR, business leaders and cross functional leaders to proactively identify and manage labor, employment, benefits, and executive compensation risks, and implement practical, preventative solutions.
Effectively manage outside counsel, including budgeting, scope management, and review of work product.
Partnering with Senior Litigation Counsel as appropriate.
Manage competing priorities, adjust to changing business needs, and operate effectively with limited structure in certain areas.
Anticipate emerging legal and regulatory developments affecting employment, benefits, executive compensation, and workforce strategy.
Assess enterprise impact and lead implementation of proactive compliance and risk mitigation initiatives.