VP, Legal - Global Employment

Xero•San Mateo, CA

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

Xero is seeking a senior legal leader to own how the company supports its people and manages employment risk across a global technology business. The role is the senior strategic legal partner to PX (the people experience organisation) and an adviser to executive leadership on workforce strategy, organisational change and complex employment matters. It sets global frameworks, standards and tools so the wider business can manage routine matters consistently and confidently. This is a functional leadership role with no direct reports. The role leads through expertise, influence and delivery, setting the direction for global employment legal support in collaboration with regional Legal teams and other REAL (Risk, Ethics, Advocacy and Legal) specialists. It also partners with Employee Relations on the legal dimensions of sensitive investigations and employee matters, and personally handles matters requiring deep experience and judgement. The role reports to the SVP/EGM Legal. The posting lists San Mateo, Melbourne and Sydney as possible bases, and describes a flexible hybrid setup for Sydney or Melbourne, with 1 to 2 days per week in the local office.

Requirements

Substantial international employment experience and proven experience supporting labour and employment in a global organisation, advising across multiple jurisdictions and operating effectively across regions and time zones.
Deep expertise in global employment and labour law, including complex investigations, disputes, restructures and workforce strategy.
Experience directing others’ work without direct reports and influencing without formal authority.
A track record of advising senior PX/HR leaders and business executives as a strategic partner.
Strong judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to explain complex issues in plain language.
Experience managing external employment counsel and building scalable legal processes and resources.
Ability to influence without formal authority and to personally carry out the work.

Nice To Haves

Experience in New Zealand, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Breadth beyond employment law, such as litigation, transactional work or corporate governance; the role calls for a T-shaped generalist able to step into work outside the core area.
Experience in a mid-market technology company of a similar size to Xero, or another fast-moving global business.
An interest in using data, technology and AI to improve legal support.

Responsibilities

Partner with PX leadership and senior business leaders on workforce strategy, organisational design, restructures, reward, senior employee matters and cross-border initiatives.
Provide clear, practical advice on global employment and labour law, including investigations, performance management, discrimination and harassment, contracts, policies, disputes and regulatory matters.
Set and own Xero's global employment legal strategy, risk framework, standards, escalation paths, playbooks and self-service resources.
Partner with regional Legal GMs on routine employment matters and ensure consistent, coordinated advice across jurisdictions.
Lead complex employment disputes, claims, regulatory inquiries and sensitive investigations.
Support the employment aspects of M&A, integrations and major business change.
Manage external employment counsel and drive proportionate, cost-effective use of external advice.
Build training, tools and AI-enabled resources that help PX and leaders manage routine matters confidently.
Work collaboratively with other members of the REAL team to bring the right expertise together on global workforce matters.