Senior Labor & Employment Counsel

Saks • San Francisco, CA

1d

About The Position

As our Senior Labor & Employment (L&E) Counsel, you will be a trusted advisor to senior leadership, designing and implementing forward-thinking L&E strategies that align with our brand’s values and operations. With your previous experience in employment law, workforce issues, and cross-functional collaboration, you possess the hands-on ability to own and lead initiatives related to risk mitigation, policy development, global compliance, and employee relations.

Requirements

• J.D. or equivalent law degree; licensed and in good standing in New York or qualified to register as in-house counsel in New York.
• 8-12+ years of labor & employment law experience, including in-house experience with a multinational company or top-tier law firm.
• Demonstrated ability to advise executives, HR leaders, and business stakeholders with clear, pragmatic, and business-savvy counsel.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment laws (Title VII, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, etc.); familiarity with global legal frameworks.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and time management skills.
• Proven track record of managing complex investigations, disputes, and employment-related risk.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with California employment matters a major plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely advice to internal business partners on all aspects of employment law, including hiring, performance management, compensation, benefits, accommodations, investigations, and terminations.
• Partner with the People team to proactively manage risk, draft policies, and advise on workforce strategy, employee relations, investigations, and all other aspects of employment law compliance.
• Design, develop, and implement employment policies, trainings, and compliance frameworks aligned with local laws and company values.
• Advise on internal investigations related to employee misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and whistleblower complaints, ensuring consistent, lawful, and brand-aligned outcomes.
• Provide strategic counsel on workforce restructuring, performance management, wage & hour issues, and employee transitions (hires, terminations, separations).
• Manage and partner with external counsel on litigation, administrative claims, and audits, maintaining alignment with company priorities and reputation.
• Collaborate on labor relations strategy and union matters, where applicable, with a focus on positive employee engagement.
• Monitor legal developments and emerging risks in employment law, advising business partners on practical implications and proactive measures.
• Support and participate in cross-functional projects related to overall business goals, such as data retention, data privacy, and supply chain ethics.
• Manage multiple priorities and projects independently, while staying aligned with business objectives and evolving legal requirements.
• Work independently and collaboratively at speed in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Other projects as directed by management.

Benefits

• medical insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• basic life insurance
• supplemental life insurance
• disability insurance
• a variety of additional voluntary benefits (such as critical illness, hospital and accident insurance)

What This Job Offers

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