Associate General Counsel, Head of Employment Law

As Associate General Counsel Employment you will report to the Chief Legal Officer and will serve as lead counsel on all labor and employment matters across the enterprise. You will act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer providing expert advice to develop implement and monitor employment related strategies and practices and on a broad range of employment related legal issues and topics. You will be a member of the Law Departments Executive Leadership Team along with peer Practice Area leaders leading the direction of the Law Department and be committed to promoting the departments mission to:

Partner as trusted advocates and advisors to drive strategic solutions that advance Guardians purpose priorities and values.

You have

• Demonstrated experience providing excellent business focused legal advice and counsel and excel at building deep trusted relationships with CHRO and key stakeholders

• Demonstrated experience building a strong culture of engagement and high performance with your direct team and of collaboration and trust building with your Law Department Executive-level peers

• Superior communication skills and experience presenting to Executive Management and Board level

• A proactive approach to horizon scanning and forward-looking insight to address issues before they create legal exposure and an ability to handle a multitude of complex and challenging legal issues and situations

• Commitment to innovation and partnership on department modernization efforts

You will

• Advise and provide counsel to Executive stakeholders across the Guardian enterprise on strategic organizational and employment matters

• Advise and provide counsel to Human Resource partners on all aspects of day-to-day employment-related matters including hiring and termination issues harassment discrimination and retaliation leaves of absence reasonable accommodations wage and hour issues restrictive covenants conflicts of interest independent contractor issues statutory employee issues employee investigations hiring of current and former government employees etc.

• Manage investigations and represent the company at the administrative level (EEOC DOL equivalent state and local agencies). Prepare position statements and manage outside counsel

• Advise on legal matters related to employee benefits and ERISA compliance

• Partner with litigation team colleagues on employment and labor litigation reviewing pleadings developing strategy facilitating the gathering of information (documents interviews); making recommendations at key stages in the process etc.

• Provide legal advice in ethics investigations; may be asked to serve as lead investigator in high-level or sensitive matters

• Review interpret and draft company policies and procedures and specifically with respect to employee benefit matters oversee the drafting of benefit plans by our incumbent employee benefits law subject matter expert

• Assist in the preparation and delivery of internal training courses on a variety of employment law topics

• Assist in company acquisition efforts as needed in areas of subject matter expertise

• Develop professional credibility and relationships with internal and external stakeholders as well as manage relationships with outside counsel

• Manage team of senior employment attorneys

You have

• A JD degree with preferred NYS bar admission or eligible to be admitted with NYS bar under its in-house counsel admission program

• A minimum of ten years of relevant professional legal experience practicing labor/employment law in a large law firm or an in-house legal department

• Familiarity with the laws and regulations governing qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans is preferred

• Strong oral and written communication skills as well as outstanding organizational and analytical skills required

• Strong collaboration skills in a team setting while displaying a high level of self-direction and sound judgment

Critical Competencies/Behaviors

In accordance with our success factors of Acting with accountability Leading with the consumer at the center Committing to collaborate Communicating transparently and Connecting with empathy and compassion:

• Drives Results: Consistently achieves excellent results even under tough circumstances

• Collaborates: Builds trusted partnerships and works collaboratively with peers colleagues and stakeholders to meet shared objectives

• Instills Trust: Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty integrity and authenticity

• Ensures Accountability: Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments

• Decision Quality: Makes sound and timely decisions that propel the organization forward

• Courage: Steps up to address difficult issues communicating clearly and professionally

• Customer Focus: Builds strong customer relationships and delivers customer-centric solutions

• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Proven track record of communication to Executive level management and Board of Directors

• Values Differences: Recognizes the value that diverse perspectives and cultures bring to an organization and serves as a role model for inclusion and diversity

Location

• Hybrid role: Consistent with Guardians flexible work arrangements the candidate is expected to work On-Campus in either Guardians NYC Holmdel NJ or Stamford CT office a minimum of 3 days per week.

Salary range

$290-330K base

The salary range reflected above is a good faith estimate of base pay for the primary location of the position. The salary for this position ultimately will be determined based on the education experience knowledge and abilities of the successful addition to salary this role may also be eligible for annual sales or other incentive compensation.

Our Promise

At Guardian youll have the support and flexibility to achieve your professional and personal goals. Through skill-building leadership development and philanthropic opportunities we provide opportunities to build communities and grow your career surrounded by diverse colleagues with high ethical standards.

Inspire Well-Being

As part of Guardians Purpose to inspire well-being we are committed to offering contemporary supportive flexible and inclusive benefits and resources to our colleagues. Explore our company benefits at apply to full-time eligible employees. Interns are not eligible for most Company benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Guardian is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age race color creed religion sex affectional or sexual orientation national origin ancestry marital status disability military or veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable law.

Accommodations

Guardian is committed to providing access equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment its services programs and activities.Guardian also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants (and employees) to accommodate the individuals known limitations related to pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions unless doing so would create an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process to perform essential job functions and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment please contact .

Current Guardian Colleagues: Please apply through the internal Jobs Hub in Workday