Senior Counsel, Labor & Employment

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Job Scope:

The purpose of the Senior Counsel, Labor & Employment role is to support the business on all aspects of labor and employment related advice, including HR counseling and employee relations matters, as well as providing support to the Chief Counsel, Labor, Employment & Total Rewards on employment and traditional labor matters.

KPIs/Dimensions

Dimension: Regional; Country: US Headcount: 17,000 US, including ~3,000 unionized; managing and mitigating legal risk and monetary liability > $100MM USD

Target Dimensions

Legal strategy to support the provision of employment law and labor law advice to HR teams supporting ~17,000 employees, ~3,000 of whom are represented by 62 different local unions, and mitigation of legal risk across employment, and traditional labor litigation

Stakeholders

Chief Counsel, Labor, Employment & Total Rewards; Leaders and stakeholders up to and including L1 level; key functional stakeholders include HR, Labor Relations, Manufacturing, Customer Service & Logistics, Sales, CLA leaders and team members

The position's responsibilities include advising on a wide range of labor and employment matters arising out of and affecting the employees of the U.S. Business Unit of Mondelēz International, Inc.
• Brings expertise in employment law, including significant experience in counseling, labor relations, and the handling of employment related disputes and litigation.
• Manage employment-related matters, which will include day-to-day advice on all employment law and traditional labor issues, handling claims and charges filed at Federal and State agencies, and managing the defense of employment-related lawsuits.
• Keep management abreast of significant employment decisions, legislation and governmental regulations that may affect company’s business or policy.
• Manage litigation and employment issues in a manner that protects the best interests of the Company, as well as the integrity, reputation, assets, officers and employees, while ensuring that the Company operates in compliance with the laws.

More about this role

The position's responsibilities include advising on a wide range of labor and employment matters arising out of and affecting the employees of the U.S. Business Unit of Mondelēz International, Inc.
• Brings expertise in employment law, including significant experience in counseling, labor relations, and the handling of employment related disputes and litigation.
• Manage employment-related matters, which will include day-to-day advice on all employment law and traditional labor issues, handling claims and charges filed at Federal and State agencies, and managing the defense of employment-related lawsuits.
• Keep management abreast of significant employment decisions, legislation and governmental regulations that may affect company’s business or policy.
• Manage litigation and employment issues in a manner that protects the best interests of the Company, as well as the integrity, reputation, assets, officers and employees, while ensuring that the Company operates in compliance with the laws.

Job specific requirements:

• Degree required: Juris Doctorate from an accredited U.S. law school or its foreign equivalent. Admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey, or eligible to apply for and secure a New Jersey in-house license.
• Minimum: Five to seven years of law firm or in-house experience; some in-house experience preferred.
• Minimum: Five to seven years’ experience and proven track record in employment practice in both the dispute resolution and employment counseling arenas. Significant law firm, in-house, agency and/or CPG company experience preferred.
• Excellent Communication (Written & Oral)
• Able to interact with stakeholders and leaders in a highly matrixed yet collaborative organization.
• Provide timely and strategic ongoing employee relations, labor, ADA, FMLA, RIF, harassment, acquisitions, facilities closings, union contract obligations, employment policy and related advice on large variety of situations/issues to minimize later challenges and potential claims.
• Assist in structure/strategy/communications for workforce reductions, including the review, analysis, and adjustment of plans to ensure compliance with applicable employment laws, with the goal of minimizing the risk of subsequent legal challenges and adverse publicity.
• Provide advice on individual employee separations, which may include review of performance management or investigation documents; drafting of documents; drafting of separation agreements; counsel to management and HR personnel; negotiation with employees’ attorneys or agencies at which claims are pending.
• Conduct or support investigations of employee malfeasance, harassment, retaliation and other claims; provide advice and counsel as investigation progresses, including recommended solutions/outcomes..
• Provide counsel and guidance for the defense and resolution of employment lawsuits filed against the company.
• Manage docket of EEO charges, arbitrations, OFCCP and other administrative claims toward optimal resolution. Manage outside counsel or personally respond to charges and requests from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and other federal and state agencies with respect to employment charges and claims.
• Manage outside counsel or personally represent company at hearings and arbitrations; present written Company position, write briefs, facilitate and/or negotiate settlements; conduct or facilitate mediation or other ADR approaches if appropriate.
• Manage and partner with external employment law firm within budget.
• Track key legislative proposals and communicate developments and implications to management and HR as appropriate. Provide timely client information and update to ensure compliance with changing regulatory, statutory or best practice guidelines.
• Support OFCCP-related compliance, which may include AAP development, OFCCP audits, negotiation of settlements with OFCCP if needed. Communicate and insure compliance with new OFCCP regulations.
• Support Labor Relations during contract negotiations and with interpretation of labor contracts with numerous local unions across the Manufacturing and Logistics networks. Defend charges filed at National Labor Relations Board, either through personal representation or through outside counsel.
• Conduct or arrange educational and/or preventive training sessions and ensure compliance with State and other legal HR training mandates.
• Partner with HR and Compensation to ensure compliance with Federal FLSA and State wage-hour laws and regulations.
• Partner with Chief Counsel, Labor, Employment & Total Rewards as needed to ensure appropriate handling of benefits issues in various employee situations.

Travel requirements: Occasional travel.

Business Unit Summary

The United States is the largest market in the Mondelēz International family with a significant employee and manufacturing footprint. Here, we produce our well-loved household favorites to provide our consumers with the right snack, at the right moment, made the right way. We have corporate offices, sales, manufacturing and distribution locations throughout the U.S. to ensure our iconic brands—including Oreo and Chips Ahoy! cookies, Ritz, Wheat Thins and Triscuit crackers, and Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids confectionery products —are close at hand for our consumers across the country.

Mondelēz Global LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require accommodation to participate in the job application process may contact 847-943-5460 for assistance.

Where permitted by applicable law, new hires are required to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment by their date of hire, unless they are granted a medical or religious accommodation. You may review the Mondelēz COVID vaccination policy by visiting the US careers website at https://www.mondelezinternational.com/United-States.

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