Senior Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

 

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

 

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

 

Reporting to the  Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (“Fred Hutch”) Vice President & General Counsel (“General Counsel”), the Senior Associate General Counsel - Labor & Employment provides legal advice on all labor & employment matters at Fred Hutch, across both the Research, Clinical and administrative operations. The Senior Associate General Counsel, as a trusted legal advisor, works closely with the General Counsel and other attorneys in the Office of General Counsel, with Human Resources, with the Office of the President & Director, and with other Fred Hutch leaders providing legal advice and counsel on a wide range of labor & employment issues, aligning strategies with the organization’s business objectives. This role is also responsible for overseeing Fred Hutch Institutional Policy implementation and management, working closely with the  Fred Hutch Policies & Practices Manager.

 

Work Environment:

• The role may require occasional travel.
• This role will have the opportunity to work partially at our campus and remotely.

Responsibilities

Legal Advice and Compliance: 

• Provide high-level legal advice and counsel on labor & employment laws and regulations
• Ensure the organization’s compliance with federal, state, and local labor & employment laws and regulations.
• Proactively develop and implement labor & employment policies and procedures to mitigate legal risks and promote compliance.
• Provide training on labor & employment matters as needed.

HR and Business Partnering:

• Collaborate on a daily basis with HR, particularly the Vice President, Human Resources, the HR Business Partner team, HR Directors, and the Leaves & Accommodations team to address labor & employment issues and align labor & employment strategies with business objectives.
• Provide proactive legal support and strategic advice on issues such as leaves & accommodations, employee discipline and discharge, workforce planning, talent management, compensation & benefits, and organizational change, including layoffs and reorganizations.

Executive Leadership Advice and Counsel:

• Provide high-level, often sensitive and confidential labor & employment advice and counsel to Fred Hutch executive leadership, including the Office of the President & Director, Fred Hutch Vice Presidents, and the Fred Hutch Board of Directors.

Investigations:

• Provide advice and counsel on internal investigations related to labor & employment matters, working closely with the HR team.
• Manage external investigators.

Employment Litigation and Agency Complaints:

• Manage and oversee employment-related litigation and pre-litigation matters, including those involving discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, leaves & accommodations, and other employment-related claims.
• Draft state and federal agency responses, including EEOC Position Statements.
• Coordinate and manage outside counsel.
• Liaise with insurance carriers.

Labor Relations:

• Advise on labor relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, union relations, and grievance handling.
• Assist in developing and maintaining positive labor rel