Legal and HR Compliance Senior Associate

Choice Hotels International • North Bethesda, MD

4d

About The Position

The Legal and HR Compliance Senior Associate supports the Legal Department by independently managing and coordinating complex employment law, compliance, and licensing matters that involve legal, regulatory, and reputational risk. This role partners closely with Legal, Human Resources, Compliance, and business stakeholders to support employee relations processes, investigations, accommodations, workforce compliance initiatives, reorganizations, reductions in force, and business and employment‑related licensing obligations. Key Responsibilities ADA Accommodations & Workforce Compliance (30%) Partner with Human Resources to review, guide, and monitor medium‑ to high‑risk ADA accommodation matters. Coordinate and track ADA interactive processes and related documentation. Train HR and business leaders on ADA requirements and best practices. Employment Law & Employee Relations Support (30%) Provide guidance and risk analysis to HR on medium‑ to high‑risk performance management and disciplinary matters. Support escalated FLSA, FMLA, and other leave‑related issues. Support reorganizations and reductions in force (RIFs), including impact analysis, WARN considerations, severance documentation, and OWBPA review support. Support medium‑ to high‑risk employee relations investigations, including ethics hotline matters, and prepare final reports for leadership. Conduct trainings on employment law, performance management, company policies, and best practices. Maintain employment‑related templates, trackers, and repositories, including SharePoint resources. Compliance & Licensing (30%) Monitor and track business and employment‑related licenses (e.g., hotel operational and liquor licenses). Manage policy and workplace poster updates and distribution. Support background check escalations and HR compliance reporting. Track and report corporate policy violations. Serve as a liaison with Internal Audit on employment and compliance matters. Other Legal Support (10%) Support additional legal initiatives and special projects as needed, including process improvement efforts and the responsible use of AI and legal technology tools.

Requirements

• Strong working knowledge of employment law processes, compliance obligations, and licensing requirements.
• Demonstrated discretion and judgment in handling confidential employee matters.
• Ability to manage work across multiple stakeholders, jurisdictions, and regulatory frameworks.
• Exceptional organizational, prioritization, and time‑management skills in deadline‑driven environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly explain complex concepts.
• Proven problem‑solving ability and attention to detail.
• Acts as a resource and informal mentor to less experienced team members.
• Consistently demonstrates collaboration, integrity, sense of urgency, and customer focus.
• Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience required.
• Minimum 6+ years of legal experience in an employment law setting (law firm or in‑house legal department) or equivalent experience.
• Prior hands‑on experience with employee relations, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, policy administration, licensing, and compliance matters.

Nice To Haves

• Paralegal Certificate preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Human Resources to review, guide, and monitor medium‑ to high‑risk ADA accommodation matters.
• Coordinate and track ADA interactive processes and related documentation.
• Train HR and business leaders on ADA requirements and best practices.
• Provide guidance and risk analysis to HR on medium‑ to high‑risk performance management and disciplinary matters.
• Support escalated FLSA, FMLA, and other leave‑related issues.
• Support reorganizations and reductions in force (RIFs), including impact analysis, WARN considerations, severance documentation, and OWBPA review support.
• Support medium‑ to high‑risk employee relations investigations, including ethics hotline matters, and prepare final reports for leadership.
• Conduct trainings on employment law, performance management, company policies, and best practices.
• Maintain employment‑related templates, trackers, and repositories, including SharePoint resources.
• Monitor and track business and employment‑related licenses (e.g., hotel operational and liquor licenses).
• Manage policy and workplace poster updates and distribution.
• Support background check escalations and HR compliance reporting.
• Track and report corporate policy violations.
• Serve as a liaison with Internal Audit on employment and compliance matters.
• Support additional legal initiatives and special projects as needed, including process improvement efforts and the responsible use of AI and legal technology tools.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Leave and paid time-off for holidays, vacation, personal, family, volunteer, sick, jury duty, bereavement, military, and religious observance
• Financial benefits for retirement and health savings
• Employee recognition programs
• Discounts at Choice hotels worldwide

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree