Senior Director, Employment Counsel

Kyowa Kirin is a fast growing global specialty pharmaceutical company that applies state-of-the-art biotechnologies to discover and deliver novel medicines in four areas of unmet need: oncology, nephrology, immunology and CNS/movement disorders. The North America organization includes three offices (in New Jersey and California) that focus on drug discovery, product development, and commercialization. Together, we work as a close-knit team to understand clinical needs and advance innovations that can have a profound impact on patient lives.

As a patient centric organization that strives to deliver innovative medicines to meet unmet needs, we feel that it is critical to follow the safety guidelines defined by CDC and OSHA. We believe the COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to manage COVID risk to you, your colleagues, your family and our society. With that in mind, we are taking the essential step to ensure the safety of our employees during this health crisis by requiring all US employees, temporary workers, agency employees and independent contractors to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, where allowed by state or local law and where vaccine supply is readily available. In accordance with applicable law, individuals may seek an accommodation for medical or disability-related conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs.

Summary of Job: 

Reporting to the Executive Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel North America (located in New Jersey office), the Senior Director, Employment Counsel, will be a key member of the Legal Department supporting KKNA’s rapid business growth in North America.  This individual will be responsible for ensuring that Kyowa Kirin’s growth is achieved in accordance with applicable employment laws and aligned with KKNA’s global corporate values: Commitment to Life; Innovation; Integrity; and Teamwork/WA.

Position is based in Princeton, New Jersey, Hybrid (2 days required in office weekly)

Essential Functions:

• Provides legal advice on a broad range of employment law, labor relations and benefits issues, as well as ensuring appropriate policy and operational compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws (operations in all fifty states, with majority of employees located in New Jersey and California).
• Independently handles or manages outside counsel, as appropriate, on employment related pre-litigation and litigation matters, including administrative agency proceedings. As appropriate may handle administrative charges in house, independent of outside counsel.
• Supports Human Resources on a wide array of employment law issues, including employee investigations, restructurings, and the implementation and delivery of training programs.
• Educates stakeholders on legal matters, policies and procedures related to employment and labor law.
• Provides legal support related to employee benefits and executive compensation, including the drafting, negotiation and implementation of employment and severance/separation agreements, equity and equity-based compensation arrangements, and all types of incentive and deferred compensation arrangements. 
• Drafts, advises on, and negotiates (as applicable) other employment-related documents, including contracts, offer letters, agreements, restrictive covenants, and company policies.
• Assists in mergers and acquisitions and post-acquisition work, including the evaluation of employment issues related to proposed business integration and drafting appropriate employment provisions in related agreements.
• Leads employment law-related projects, including internal audits and process reviews.
• Develops strategy with senior leadership on company-wide initiatives that impact employees.
• Stays abreast of laws, regulations and enforcement activities related to employment and labor law and has a general understanding of laws and regulations governing the activities of employees in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Performs other tasks as assigned, from time to time, by the General Counsel.

Job Requirements:

Education

• JD degree and member in good standing in New Jersey bar or (Limited License for In House Counsel in NJ) required and a minimum of 10+ years of broad experience in employment and labor law, with a focus on the pharmaceutical and/or medical device industry strongly preferred in either a corporate legal department or a nationally recognized law firm.
• Deep understanding of U.S. federal and state employment and labor laws.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (oral and written), and presentation skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and clearly make reasoned recommendations, whi