Senior Counsel, Employment Law

Mariner•Overland Park, KS

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role serves as the team's go-to resource on employment and labor matters while also contributing to the broader legal needs of the organization. Time is spent primarily devoted to employment law — spanning workplace investigations, wage and hour compliance, leave and accommodation matters, hiring and termination practices, employment agreements, and immigration support — but some support for general corporate and commercial legal work may also be required at times. Reporting to the Associate General Counsel, they partner closely with Human Resources, business leaders, and fellow in-house attorneys to deliver practical, solutions-oriented advice that protects the company and enables its people strategy.

Requirements

Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school; active license to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
5+ years of progressively responsible experience in employment law, with at least a portion of that time spent at a reputable law firm.
Deep substantive knowledge of federal and state employment and labor laws, including Title VII, the ADA, the FMLA, the FLSA, ADEA, WARN Act, and related regulations.
Proven ability to manage multiple high-stakes matters simultaneously, deliver crisp work product under tight timelines, and communicate complex concepts clearly to legal and non-legal audiences alike.
Demonstrated experience conducting or overseeing workplace investigations.
Impeccable organizational skills, exacting attention to detail, and a self-starter mentality that drives proactive identification and resolution of issues.
Strong ethical compass, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.
A business-first problem-solving and growth mentality — you see opportunities where others see roadblocks.
An exceptional communicator who is clear, consistent, and proactive — providing timely updates, tailoring messages to the audience, ensuring alignment, and closing the loop.
A relationship-builder who can influence and collaborate at all levels, earning trust and driving alignment across functions — particularly with Human Resources and people leaders.
A self-starter with the confidence to operate independently while knowing when to escalate and seek guidance.

Nice To Haves

In-house experience is a plus.
Prior experience in the financial services sector is valued and will allow for quicker impact, though it is not a prerequisite.
Familiarity with AI-enabled legal tools and an understanding of how artificial intelligence is shaping employment law — including algorithmic decision-making, AI-driven hiring practices, and emerging regulatory frameworks — is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as an employment law advisor to the Firm, including working closely with both Human Resources and business leaders on day-to-day workforce matters, including hiring, processes, terminations, reductions in force, accommodations, and leave administration under the FMLA, ADA, and analogous state and local laws.
Lead and oversee internal workplace investigations, ensuring thorough, objective, and well-documented processes from intake through resolution and remediation.
Advise on wage and hour compliance under the FLSA and applicable state laws, including classification of employees and independent contractors, overtime, exemptions, and pay practices.
Draft, review, and negotiate employment-related agreements, including offer letters, employment agreements, separation and release agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, and independent contractor arrangements.
Monitor federal, state, and local employment legislation, regulations, and case law; distill developments into clear, actionable guidance for internal stakeholders and assist in designing or updating policies, handbooks, procedures, and training programs to maintain compliance.
Provide counsel on immigration-related employment matters on an as-needed basis.
Partner with Human Resources to develop proactive strategies that mitigate employment-related risk and align with Mariner's culture and values.
Contribute to the broader work of the Legal Department by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of contracts and agreements as needs arise.
Provide legal support and strategic collaboration for cross-functional business initiatives and projects, ensuring alignment with company objectives.
Support corporate governance, entity management, and other general corporate matters as needed.
Lead special projects and assume additional responsibilities as the needs of the Legal Department evolve within Mariner's dynamic growth environment.
Step in to support the team on any task, big or small, demonstrating a willingness to take on all types of work as needed.
Build deep relationships with teams across Mariner to anticipate legal needs and proactively provide solutions.
Leverage AI-enabled tools for contract review, regulatory monitoring, and legal research to accelerate delivery.