Associate General Counsel, Employment

Company Description

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. is an industry-leading innovation company focused on creating smarter, safer and more beautiful homes and improving lives. Our driving purpose is that we elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens. We believe our work and our brands can have incredibly positive impacts for not just our business and shareholders, but for people and the planet, too. When you join Fortune Brands, you become part of a high-performing team who are empowered to think big, learn fast and make bold decisions. We support an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone is encouraged and empowered to be their authentic selves, and where our differences and unique perspectives are a key strength. Explore life at Fortune Brands here

Job Description

Reporting to the VP, Deputy General Counsel, this position requires an attorney with experience to handle employment and benefit matters for a company with over 10,000 employees. The Associate General Counsel, Employment will partner closely with the Company’s Human Resources professionals to provide practical advice and counseling regarding the full range of employment and labor issues. Responsibilities also include representing the Company in federal and state administrative complaints, proactively monitoring trends and changes in labor and employment law to ensure the business has a strategy in place for remaining compliant and engaging in policy development and training. In addition to possessing the requisite legal and technical skills, the candidate must also be able to execute good business judgment, easily work with others and have a strong desire to be part of a team.

Job Location: Hybrid in Deerfield (on-site Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide practical and business-oriented advice and counseling on a range of employment issues, including hiring, performance management, benefits, employee relations, terminations, leaves of absence and accommodations, and wage and hour.
• Investigate and respond to federal and state administrative complaints, such as EEOC charges.
• Draft employee policies, restrictive covenants, separation and settlement agreements; and prepare strategies and responses to government agency inquiries.
• Oversee outside counsel for benefits and litigation.
• Investigate, negotiate, and resolve pre-litigation claims. Serve as employment law subject matter expert for litigation, working directly with Litigation Manager.
• Conduct or provide oversight and advice on internal investigations.
• Remain current on local, state, and federal labor and employment laws and trends that may have an impact on the employment and benefits exposures of the Company. Establish proactive strategy for compliance.
• Identify trends and patterns as it relates to employee and labor relations concerns and identify opportunities for efficiencies and process improvements.
• Provide employment and labor law support on merger and acquisition agreements, due diligence, integration, and other business restructuring projects. Support post-acquisition human resource related integration efforts.
• Negotiate, review, and prepare contractual arrangements with outside service providers, including consultants and vendors.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with business partners and legal department members. 

Qualifications

• 8+ years of employment and labor law experience, preferably gained in both law firm and in-house roles. Juris Doctor degree required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, NLRA and other federal and state labor and employment-related laws.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Possesses sound judgment and a strong ethical framework.
• Requires creativity, strong analytical and organization skills.
• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills. 
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities, providing high level of service to stakeholders
• Must be a business lawyer who is willing to partner with our businesses and provide risk assessments which enable the businesses to accept the right level of risk.
• The ability to work easily with others in a collaborative way is essential. 
• Ability to manage outside counsel for cost-effective delivery of legal services.
• Team and cross-functional player. Ability to collaborate, build relationships and work well with team members at all levels.
• Must be able to travel, on occasion.

Additional Information

Fortune Brands believes in fair and equitable pay. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range for this role is