Senior Labor & Employment Counsel, USA

ABB•Cary, NC

5d•Remote

About The Position

As Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for the USA, you will be offered the opportunity to share and influence the design and/or implementation of Labor and Employment strategies to ensure that the ABB business is always operating within a sound legal, compliance and regulatory framework on all Labor & Employment (L&E) matters for USA. This position will handle a broad range of L&E activities (either directly or through local legal counsels) and act as a strategic business partner across all Business Areas (BA), under the strategic direction of the Global Head of L&E law for Motion. Provide critical strategic input to develop the L&E USA in collaboration with the Group Head L&E and Heads of L&E for BA’s and support regional strategy for Motion. This role is open to remote candidates located within the United States (with a preference for those in the Eastern or Central Time Zones to be able to easily interface with internal customers domestically and internationally). This role is contributing to the Motion, Electrification & Automation Business, BA Function Legal & Integrity in USA.

Requirements

Juris Doctor Degree
At least 10+ years’ experience in US Employment and Labor Law
Prior litigation experience or extensive experience in managing litigation as an inhouse attorney
Technical ability to research, review and understand local, state and federal employment laws and how they relate to Company’s business operations
Strong people skills, including negotiations
Superior communication skills (both verbal and written) with all levels of internal and external stakeholders
Successful ability to multi-task
Strong organizational, collaborative and follow up skills
Work experience in a multinational environment and providing advice in relation to multi-jurisdictional/ cross-border projects, including exposure to strategic business decisions
Willing to work flexible hours when necessary to connect with colleagues abroad.
Ability to travel as needed.
Candidates must already possess authorization to work for ABB in the US.

Nice To Haves

Additional Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Human Resources preferred

Responsibilities

Manage all employment related litigation, including advisory, strategic, settlement negotiations, determining outside counsel, and acting as a liaison between outside counsel and the involved Business Unit.
Formulate strategies for Union contracts and become directly involved with Union negotiations as needed. Manage Union related issues such as union avoidance, union organizing campaigns, labor arbitrations, etc.
Provide human resources professionals and Company management with sound legal advice and counsel on employment issues to minimize potential legal exposure, including severance packages, separation agreements, employee performance issues, vetting termination decisions, complying with state and federal employment laws, drafting/reviewing employment-related agreements, and providing interpretation/guidance on employment restrictive covenants.
Perform labor and employment due diligence related to acquisitions.
Advise on internal investigations into code of conduct/human resource compliance issues.
Review and provide legal guidance on employment policies and procedures, updating them as the law develops.
Keep human resources professionals and Company management apprised of legal and legislative developments relating to employment and labor relations.
Oversee fiduciary activities for Benefit and Investment Committee matters on a need basis, to ensure they conform to ERISA standards.
Serve as a strategic legal advisor on emerging HR and L&E technologies, including digital and behavioral assessments, anticipating regulatory developments and mitigating organizational, reputational, and litigation risk.
Oversee all legal administrative charges from external federal or state agencies (such as EEOC and NLRB).
Manage and conduct mediations that arise from external claims.
Provide employment-related compliance training, through development and personal presentation or coordination with appropriate training sources.
Develop and execute “train the trainer” programs for providing workplace compliance training.
Identify areas of potential risk and/or exposure and take appropriate actions to minimize such risk, including internal audits, appropriate training, and policy reviews.
Ensure good corporate governance (including structuring, drafting, and negotiation) in the area of accountability within the country, with respect to Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) / divestiture transactions.

Benefits

Health, Life & Disability
Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.
Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus
Vision benefit
Company paid life insurance (2X base pay)
Company paid AD&D (1X base pay)
Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums
Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid
Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid. Ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay.
Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance)
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Program
Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption
Employee discount program
401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions
Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)
11 paid holidays.
Vacation under a permissive time away policy for salaried exempt positions.
Eligible for a short-term incentive plan/annual bonus.