Senior Employment Counsel

Chicago, IL

Our Americas Legal team seeks an exceptional attorney with strong expertise in employment law. This role requires a technically excellent and pro-active lawyer to provide employment law advice to Dyson’s Americas HR function. This is a role with high responsibility and that provides an excellent opportunity to develop your skills and contribution as part of a dynamic and ambitious in-house legal team. As Senior Employment Counsel, you will report directly to the General Counsel and partner regularly with Human Resources and other Legal Team members to provide employment related legal services. This position will be dedicated to providing legal support including, but not limited to, day-to-day employment counseling on a wide variety of matters, wage and hour compliance support, immigration matters, benefits support, and risk management guidance. There will also be opportunities to provide legal support on other matters and projects covered by the Dyson Legal Team.

About You:

The ability to develop and maintain positive and effective relationships with business partners at all levels across the enterprise as well as with colleagues on the Legal team is a must. Ideal candidates for this role will have in-house or law firm experience supporting consumer products and/or retail clients, strong business acumen, excellent counseling skills, the ability to take a strategic and business-focused approach to complex employment issues and an entrepreneurial mindset. This position will afford invaluable experience and opportunity for growth within a fast-paced and dynamic organization.

Accountabilities

Develop the position of the employment law function within the Americas region (US, Canada, Mexico and LATAM) and Global Employment Law Team as a strategic adviser, building engagement with the HR leadership team and business partners.
Provide expert, ethical and pragmatic advice on a wide range of employment law issues, including employee relations, performance management, leaves of absence and accommodations, wage and hour, contingent workforce, benefits and policy compliance.
Evaluate employment practices, policies and processes to assess and execute risk mitigation solutions.
Draft and review employment-related agreements and templates.
Manage all formal and informal employment related claims and litigation.
Develop and deliver necessary legal training to the business.
Support HR policy development and roll out and create and maintain relevant precedents.
Draft and negotiate employment contracts and settlement agreements.
Ensure awareness and compliance with federal, state and local labor and employment laws throughout the Americas Region.
Manage external counsel where appropriate, ensuring compliance with Dyson’s cost management processes.

Skills

Minimum of 7 years of employment law experience at a law firm or in-house required; a combination of law firm and in-house experience strongly preferred
High degree of organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple, complex projects when necessary
A sound understanding of all aspects of employment law and an ability to apply that knowledge pragmatically in a commercial environment and make clear recommendations
Excellent communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly articulate legal concepts to variety of audiences/stakeholders, demonstrate sensitivity, tact and professionalism in dealing with internal clients and colleagues and external agencies and counsel
Experience of managing matters with a cross border and foreign jurisdiction element, and managing external legal counsel
Ability to effectively communicate legal interpretations to all levels of management
Good awareness of the role of Legal in business decisions and the ability to actively contribute in the taking of those decisions
Confidence and technical ability to be able to deal with issues outside your experience and the ability to learn quickly on the job
Evidence of being a self-starter who is good at identifying problems and proactively remedying them, and who demonstrates professionalism, pride and integrity in all aspects of your work
An ability to work successfully with a minimum level of supervision in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment
Experience in developing policies and procedures for ensuring corporate compliance required
Highest degree of ethical standards
Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as required
Prior experience with advising on California employment law matters a plus
Spanish language skills a plus

Benefits:

At Dyson, how we reward you is linked to our high-performance culture. But it’s about more than salary and bonus. Through a package of financial, lifestyle and health benefits, we support whatever stage of life you’re in and the moments that matter.

Financial benefits:

401K with up to a 4% match
Company paid Life Insurance and AD&D
Flexible Savings Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA)

Lifestyle benefits:

Competitive Paid Time Off Benefits including Separate Holiday, Sick, and Vacation Time
Pre-tax Commuter Benefits (applicable areas only)
Generous Child Care Leave Program
Wellness Program
Employee Assistance Program
Generous Dyson Product Discounts

Health benefits:

Multi-Level Healthcare Coverage Options
Vision & Dental Coverage
Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Dyson is an equal opportunity employer. We know that great minds don’t think alike, and it takes all kinds of minds to make our technology so unique. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and employment decisions are made without regard to race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other any other dimension of diversity.

Interview guidance

We are following the government guidelines regarding COVID19. At this time all interviews will be conducted via video or telephone. We’re taking these precautionary measures to protect both our employee and candidate wellbeing. Our Talent Acquisition team will work with you and provide further information as appropriate.