Senior Counsel, Employment

About the role

This position delivers strategic legal direction on employment and privacy issues. You will own the interpretation and application of employment laws and data protection rules across multiple jurisdictions. The role requires you to anticipate legal risk and translate complex regulations into practical guidance for business leaders. You will safeguard the organization while preserving the ability to serve employees and advance the mission. This position operates at the intersection of workforce management and information governance. You will balance precision in legal analysis with the flexibility needed to keep the business moving. The work demands rigorous judgment, confidentiality, and a proactive approach to emerging compliance obligations.

Key facts

What you'll do

Analyze global workforce practices to confirm alignment with employment regulations and support effective employee and leadership decision-making. Evaluate data privacy frameworks to ensure information handling meets international obligations and protects organizational integrity. Draft and negotiate employment contracts and internal policies to provide clear guidance and support for HR and management initiatives. Lead workplace investigations under established guidance to resolve matters thoroughly and uphold organizational standards. Develop and deliver training on relevant legal topics to equip team members with practical knowledge for daily responsibilities. Communicate legal developments and their business implications to stakeholders to enable informed decision-making. Manage special projects delegated by the General Counsel to address emerging priorities and evolving legal demands. Interpret statutory and regulatory language to generate reliable legal interpretations that withstand scrutiny. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to integrate legal controls into business processes without disrupting operational objectives.

Requirements

Active licensure in at least one US state bar is required, with the ability to meet admission requirements in relevant jurisdictions within one year. Demonstrated experience over 10+ years in employment and privacy practice is required. Willingness to travel overnight and handle international travel is required when duties demand. You must maintain professional standards expected of senior legal counsel in mission-driven environments. The role requires the ability to exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employment and privacy matters. You should be prepared to manage multiple priorities and conflicting demands while maintaining attention to detail. Compliance with ethical rules and confidentiality obligations is mandatory in all aspects of the work.

Nice to have

Not applicable.

Practical notes

This role functions within the Office of the General Counsel and addresses sensitive employment and privacy matters. Typical interview steps

Legal interviews usually include a contract review exercise, a compliance scenario, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to flag issues in a sample agreement or explain a regulatory question. Past experience with specific practice areas carries the most weight. Interviewers often present a sample contract and ask what you would flag. Working through it out loud, risk by risk, is the strongest approach.

Good to know

Employment law depends on interpreting statutes and court rulings. Data protection work requires navigating regulations across multiple countries. Legal departments in mission-focused organizations work alongside HR and operational teams. Professionals engage in ongoing learning to track regulatory changes. General counsel offices handle varied legal risks and long-term planning.

Questions to ask

Worth asking in any interview: how the team measures success, who the role works with daily, what the onboarding looks like, and what the company is trying to achieve this year. Asking what past hires did well is a strong final question. Keep the list short and pick the questions that matter most to you.

Career growth

Legal careers grow from associate to senior counsel, general counsel, and chief legal officer roles. Compliance specialists can move into risk or governance leadership. Specialization by practice area, from employment law to corporate transactions, is common. Legal careers reward precision and commercial awareness. In-house roles value speed and judgment over exhaustive analysis.