Sr. Legal Manager, Labor & Employment

Work Mode: Onsite

Location: Onsite – Kohler, WI

Opportunity

The Senior Legal Manager, Labor & Employment is a key member of the Employment and Compliance team, reporting directly to the Assistant General Counsel - VP, Employment & Compliance. This role is responsible for managing critical labor and employment matters and will be instrumental to building a framework that supports the company’s operations.

The Senior Legal Manager, Labor & Employment will provide advice and counsel to management and human resources professionals on a broad range of nuanced employment and labor law issues, collaborate with other internal stakeholders on complex cross-functional matters, evaluate and advise on legal risk related to employee complaints, grievances, charges, and employment practices, and serve as the internal expert on laws and regulations in the labor and employment function.

Specific Responsibilities

• Policy and practice review and guidance.
• Prepare, draft, review and recommend policies and procedures related to employment and labor law.
• Provide advice and counsel on risk mitigation related to employee matters.
• Investigations and employee dispute management.
• Provide advice to human resources partners related to investigations of employee relations matters and resolving workplace conflicts.
• Partner with compliance and ethics team to conduct investigations and navigate complex employee relations matters.
• Manage pre-litigation claims and agency charges including drafting position statements and responding to demand letters.
• Partner with the internal litigation team as subject matter expert on labor and employment-related litigation.

Training and Education

• Develop and implement training programs for employees, human resources, and management on critical labor and employment related matters including performance management, employee investigations, restructuring, and positive employee relations.

Compensation and Benefits

• Provide advice and counsel to human resources with respect to benefits and compensation-related matters including pay equity, FLSA and executive compensation.
• Advise and partner with human resources on affirmative action planning and OFCCP matters.

Labor Law

• Provide legal advice and counsel with respect to all areas of labor law, including knowledge or ability to handle labor matters under both domestic law, and support of labor matters in Mexico and Canada.
• Advise labor relations team on bargaining strategy and proposals, managing grievances, unfair labor practice issues, and other union activities.

Compliance and Ethics

• Support the identification, development and deployment of company-wide employment and labor law compliance initiatives.
• Familiarity with U.S. regulatory matters and proven ability to issue spot key compliance matters in day-to-day operations including anti-trust, anti-corruption, and conflict of interest.
• Support M&A on labor and employment and compliance due diligence matters.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Partner with internal communications function on critical internal and external messaging on key labor and employment matters.
• Develop and manage cross functional relationships to drive credibility and trust.
• Develop strong relationships with key outside counsel partners and direct and oversee appropriate collaboration with internal stakeholders.

Skills/Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited laws school and current member in good standing of a state bar.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin or licensed in another state bar with ability to obtain In-house counsel status in Wisconsin.
• 5+ years’ experience as a practicing lawyer working on labor and employment matters either in private practice or with a corporate legal department.
• Strong knowledge of laws and regulations related to regulatory requirements for multi-national companies including ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA, etc.).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders in varying levels throughout the company.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams, and work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in crisis management.
• Unquestionable integrity.
• Ability to travel (domestic and international) up to 20% of the time.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

We believe in supporting you from the moment you join us, which is why Kohler offers day 1 benefits. This means you’ll have access to your applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period. The salary range for this position is $159,900 - $254,000. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. In addition, this position is eligible for a performance bonus/variable incentive compensation.

Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.