Associate General Counsel - Labor and Employment

About the Opportunity
The Office of the General Counsel at Northeastern University seeks a full-time attorney to join a high-performing, collaborative, and collegial global in-house legal team. Located at Northeastern University’s Boston campus, the attorney will provide support for the university in a broad array of labor, employment and other university legal matters. Responsibility for labor matters will include a range of matters, including providing proactive advice and guidance on all labor-related matters pertaining to union and non-union employees, participating in collective bargaining, administration of collective bargaining agreements, advising on grievance procedures, advising on and/or handling grievance hearings, arbitrations, labor litigation in a variety of forums, including the NLRB, policy drafting and revision, participating in and advising on labor strategy in multiple jurisdictions, and handling other labor-related matters. Responsibility for employment matters will include advising on such issues as hiring, promotion, evaluation, discipline, terminations, reorganizations, leaves of absence, ADA and other accommodation requests, wage and hour, allegations of discrimination and harassment, and advising on personnel matters. Additional areas may include policy design, implementation and advice, litigation support, and miscellaneous matters affecting university operations. The attorney will perform activities related to all aspects of conflict/dispute resolution and litigation, including successfully managing outside counsel. The attorney will work closely with and accept direction from the Senior Labor Counsel and Senior Director of Labor Operations, the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel and will successfully participate in and contribute to cross-functional teams. This is a Boston-based on-campus position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will have 6 or more years of progressively sophisticated experience in labor relations and engagement, conflict resolution and general litigation, employment, non-profit law, higher education, and/or aligned areas of law.
• A J.D. degree from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing or eligible for admission to the Massachusetts Bar
• Prior in-house experience, particularly in higher education, non-profit or governmental organizations is preferred.
* Excellent and progressively sophisticated experience in labor and employment matters.
• Strong dispute resolution and litigation skills, including administrative agency experience.
• Exceptional legal advice and counseling skills and experience.
• Superior experience in legal research, writing, analysis, and reasoning
Competencies
• A creative problem solver and solution seeker with excellent judgment.
• Adaptable and flexible with a superior ability to successfully handle multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Ability to interact effectively and persuasively with clients and senior leaders at all levels of the University.
• Superior work ethic and the ability to successfully handle a heavy, complex, and varied workload.
• Impeccable oral and written communication;
• The ability to identify and resolve complicated and sensitive issues creatively and with professional discretion.
• Excellent legal and business acumen;
• The ability to function successfully and efficiently in a deadline-driven, fast-paced academic, business and research environment.
• Ability to work independently and with a professional and entrepreneurial attitude, but also know when to escalate/elevate matters and/or collaborate with others.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize a high volume of multiple projects and responsibilities seamlessly with excellent attention to context, substance, and detail while meeting goals and strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex concepts in a simple, compelling, concise, and creative way, including providing timely and relevant education/training.
• Skillful negotiation in challenging situations with both internal and external parties.
• Hands-on, collegial, and highly collaborative.
• Highly team-oriented, leading by exemplifying shared organizational values and demonstrating an ability to successfully team with and support colleagues.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

(1) Administration of collective bargaining agreements, handling grievance hearings and arbitrations and related labor litigation, provide proactive advice and guidance on all labor-related matters involving union and non-union employees, participation in collective bargaining to achieve the university’s goals, provide excellent, collaborative advice and guidance on labor strategy and engagement across the network, policy drafting and revision for alignment with federal labor law changes, collaborate with outside counsel as appropriate, advise on personnel issues related to collectively bargained and non-union employees, keep abreast of and advise on developing labor issues and trends.
(2) Successfully handle and resolve employment matters involving faculty and staff, including advising on hiring, promotion, evaluation, discipline, terminations, severances, including negotiating agreements, reorganizations, wage and hour, requests for accommodations and a variety of other employment issues/matters. Develop successful professional relationships with college/department leaders and HR representatives to support the organization’s employment goals and objectives.
(3) Provide excellent legal advice and offer proactive and creative solutions to resolve legal, procedural, or administrative issues in compliance with all applicable legal standards, labor contracts, and policy. Perform activities related to dispute resolution and litigation in all relevant forums, including representing the university at litigation preparation, hearings, and trials. Effectively collaborate with and manage outside counsel.
(4) Conduct legal research and provide analysis, written and oral advice, and education and training as needed to keep the university and the members of the university community apprised of legal developments and current on laws and regulations affecting assigned areas. Proactively identify legal trends and regulatory changes to enhance policies and procedures. Develop and deliver training and communication programs on relevant legal trends, issues, and regulatory matters.
(5)

Participate on university and/or campus committees or working groups that support and advance the mission, goals, and aspirations of the university.
Position Type
Legal and Regulatory Administration

Additional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes

medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see

www.northeastern.edu/diversity .

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