Senior Employment Counsel

The Knot Worldwide • New York City, NY

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

We’re seeking a Senior Employment Counsel to join our Legal Team, an energetic, solutions-driven group that navigates diverse legal challenges across multiple jurisdictions. Based in the US, you will manage and handle all labor and employment-related matters for our US employee population, and, together with our Global Employment Counsel, provide employment legal services and support for our international employees in the UK, EU, India, and LATAM. You will work closely with our People Operations, People and Regional Business Partners, Talent Acquisition, and Culture and Experience teams, reporting to our Global Employment Counsel. This role is ideal for a 9+ year qualified attorney who is eager to sharpen their global employment skills in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• 9+ years of experience as a labor and employment attorney, at both a law firm and in-house
• Extensive experience with a wide variety of labor and employment matters under US federal, state, and local employment laws, including demonstrable experience with the majority of responsibilities listed above
• JD from an accredited US law school (or international equivalent) and member of the bar in any US jurisdiction with the ability to practice in-house in New York
• Strong and effective document drafting, negotiating, organizational skills with excellent oral and written communication skills and are detailed-oriented
• Ability to promote and contribute to a collaborative team environment that encourages and supports inclusion to drive innovation and growth and reach the best solutions to complex problems
• Ability to manage and prioritize workload and multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

• Experience with international employment laws, particularly EU, UK, and/or Mexico, Brazil, India, a plus!
• Fluency in a foreign language, particularly Spanish
• Experience with US and international data privacy and security issues
• Experience with US and / or international immigration matters.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary owner of US employment law operation and execution, with matrixed global support in partnership with Global Employment Counsel and local counsel.
• Handle, advise, and provide legal support on a broad range of employment issues, for the international scope in the UK, EU, India, and LATAM, including HR practices, performance management, terminations, recruiting, hiring, background checks, compensation and benefits, leaves and accommodations, wage and hour, consultants and contractors, sales commission and bonus plans, and non-compete and non-solicitation agreements
• Provide legal counseling for US federal and state laws on discrimination, harassment and retaliation
• Own US employment risk assessments and proactively advise on mitigation strategies aligned with business growth and change initiatives
• Serve as the escalation point for complex, high-risk US employment matters, including reductions in force, reorganizations, and sensitive terminations
• Advise on workforce transformations, including reorganizations, RIFs, site openings and closures, and post-merger integration activities, with US leadership responsibility and global coordination as needed
• Manage all aspects of US employment litigation and agency matters, including EEOC, DOL, state agencies, and arbitration, including coordinating with outside counsel as appropriate
• Lead the development, implementation, and governance of US employment policies, playbooks, and manager guidance materials, ensuring scalability and consistency across the organization
• Partner with People leadership on US employment law implications of new programs, benefits, and workplace initiatives
• Create legal training programs and provide training for managers and employees on various employment law issues
• Identify, understand, research, manage, and explain new and changing employment laws impacting our business, and implement appropriate compliance needs
• Assess the implementation of regulatory / law changes as pay transparency
• Coordinate with Global Employment Counsel and local counsel to ensure alignment and consistency across global employment policies, practices, and risk posture

Benefits

• We believe in a wide range of holistic offerings to support our employees so that they can live our values day in and day out. From mental wellbeing, physical health and financial planning, to engaging perks and discounts, we are in the business of celebrating and supporting the Moments that Matter, both in and out of the office.
• We offer flexible vacation, generous parental leave, and prioritize initiatives that support the growth, development, and happiness of our people.

What This Job Offers

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