Senior Counsel - Labor & Employment Law (Cambridge, MA)

Philips • Cambridge, MA

23d • $209,000 - $333,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Counsel – Labor & Employment Law reports to the Head of Labor and Employment Law – US and is based in Philips’ Cambridge, Massachusetts office. The role joins a multidisciplinary legal team and works with Legal and People functions and business stakeholders in the U.S. and globally. It advises on employment law matters including reasonable accommodations, performance improvement plans, restrictive covenants, labor issues, and day-to-day risk mitigation, and collaborates with legal colleagues in Sales, Compliance, Privacy, and M&A.

The position advises People leaders, manages labor and employment legal matters and claims, supports compliance across global operations, and counsels on workforce transformations, organizational changes, acquisitions, and divestments. It also monitors legislative and judicial developments and supports HR, Labor, Benefits, and Immigration colleagues.

This is an office role based in Cambridge, MA. Office-based teams work in person at least three days per week; onsite roles require full-time presence at company facilities. Candidates must reside in or within commuting distance of Cambridge. U.S. work authorization is required, and sponsorship is not available. The targeted hire date is January 4, 2027.

Requirements

• 10+ years of law firm and/or in-house experience.
• Substantive experience supporting complex, multi-state labor and employment matters.
• Experience working successfully within a global, regulated organization and analyzing legal requirements in complex business situations.
• Experience with emerging legal technologies and AI applications in decision-making and legal operations.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency with artificial intelligence tools such as Co-Pilot and ChatGPT.
• J.D. from an accredited U.S. law school.
• Admission to at least one State Bar.
• Strong written and oral communication, sound judgment, and ability to build relationships and credibility as a trusted advisor.
• Ability to successfully perform the minimum physical, cognitive, and environmental job requirements, with or without accommodation.
• Must have U.S. work authorization; visa sponsorship is not available.
• Must reside in or within commuting distance of Cambridge, MA.

Nice To Haves

• A combination of law firm and in-house experience is preferred.
• Benefits law experience is a plus.
• Adobe proficiency is preferred.
• Interest in medical technology, commitment to continuous improvement, and a collaborative approach and appreciation for colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Advise the People Function and People Leaders on employment matters, including recruiting, hiring, performance management, discrimination, harassment, discipline, reductions in force, and restrictive covenants.
• Review, draft, and advise on HR policies and procedures for U.S. and global application.
• Develop and deliver employment law training.
• Manage labor-related legal matters, including advising on collective bargaining agreements, supporting grievance processes and related records, preparing for and conducting arbitrations, and developing and interpreting policies and programs for represented employees.
• Defend, supervise, and manage employment-related claims and litigation, including overseeing outside counsel, responding to administrative charges, complaints, attorney letters, settlement demands, and claims, and negotiating resolutions.
• Support efforts to maintain, assess, and remediate employment law, compensation, and benefits compliance issues affecting global operations.
• Advise on workforce transformations, organizational changes, acquisitions, and divestments.
• Monitor legislative and judicial developments to support compliance with multi-jurisdictional employment regulations.
• Support HR, Labor, Benefits, and Immigration colleagues.
• Collaborate with legal colleagues in Sales, Compliance, Privacy, and M&A, and with business stakeholders in the U.S. and globally.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off (PTO).
• 401(k) with up to 7% company match.
• Health savings account (HSA) with company contribution.
• Stock purchase plan.
• Education reimbursement.
• Comprehensive Philips Total Rewards benefits program.
• Annual incentive bonus, sales commission, or long-term incentives may be offered.

What This Job Offers

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