Senior Labor & Employment Counsel, USA

About the role

ABB is hiring a Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for its US organization, reporting to the global Head of Labor & Employment and Corporate Governance. The role shapes and influences labor and employment strategy across ABB in the United States and serves as a strategic partner to the Motion, Electrification and Automation business areas. It is open to remote candidates in the US, with a preference for Eastern or Central Time Zone locations.

Key responsibilities

• Manage employment-related litigation, develop settlement strategies, lead negotiations, select outside counsel, oversee fees and costs, and liaise with outside counsel.
• Develop union contract strategies, take part in union negotiations, and handle union avoidance, organizing campaigns and labor arbitrations.
• Advise HR and management on severance, separation agreements, termination, compliance with state and federal employment law, restrictive covenants and due diligence for acquisitions, and review employment policies and procedures.
• Oversee fiduciary activities related to benefit and investment committee matters under ERISA, and advise on emerging HR and L&E technologies.
• Provide strategic leadership on HR and labor compliance, including wage and hour, leave and accommodations, worker classification and recordkeeping.
• Oversee administrative charges brought by federal or state agencies such as the EEOC and NLRB, and manage mediations.
• Deliver compliance training, design train-the-trainer programs, run internal audits and mitigate risk.
• Help structure, draft and negotiate merger, acquisition and divestiture matters, and advise on multi-jurisdictional projects.

Required profile

• J.D. degree and at least 10 years of experience in US employment and labor law (a bachelor's degree in business or human resources is preferred).
• Prior litigation experience or extensive experience managing litigation as in-house counsel.
• Experience in a multinational environment and on cross-border projects, and willingness to work flexible hours and travel as needed.
• Already authorized to work for ABB in the US.

Required skills

• Ability to research, review and understand local, state and federal employment laws.
• Negotiation and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Multi-tasking, organizational and follow-up skills.