Our client, a top bank, is looking for a junior to midlevel employment law associate with harassment and discrimination investigation experience. Please note this is not a role in the Legal Department.
Role
Employee Relations role serves as a partner to our HR Business Partner function as well as to internal counsel with regard to matters of employee relations. The individual in this role would leverage a combined expert knowledge of U.S. HR policies/procedures, employment law, and knowledge of the Bank's various business lines (and subsidiary companies), day-to-day operations, systems and technology to provides timely, efficient, innovative, and value-added solutions tailored specifically to a business line's operational needs on serious and high risk employment related issues and concerns; and acts as a subject matter expert for all U.S. ER needs. This role would lead strategic and tactical efforts for all aspects of Employee Relations at the combined U.S. Operations level.
Responsibilities:
Consults with HR Business Partners and the Legal Department concerning employee relations issues.
As a non-practicing attorney role, use of sensitivity and subject matter expertise as to US employment laws and regulations, with a specific awareness and facility over issues of attorney-client privilege, confidentiality rules, and the separation of the investigator and counsel. Requires working closely with our in-house employment counsel, referring matters to such counsel for legal analysis, interpretation, and advice to HR and the business.
Conducts and facilitates complex, sensitive and time-critical ER investigations. Sources and reviews related documents. Documents investigative path, recommendations, and resolution. Writes investigative summaries in a clear, concise and legally defensible manner.
Serves as objective third party in reviewing terminations and disciplinary actions.
Engages relevant stakeholders and provides trusted advice and recommends remedial measures, as appropriate.
Works closely with cross-functional HR partners as well as partners in the business, i.e. IT security, risk, compliance, audit and legal as needed.
Ensures fair and consistent employment practices are in place and being followed; may provide large scale or 1:1 training as appropriate.
Designs, delivers and executes large-scale projects or initiatives that involve reductions, integrations, new policy/programs, HR tools and training to promote positive management practices across the enterprise.
Conducts research and benchmarking related to projects, initiatives, and process improvements to drive positive employee relations and management practice.
Creates and tracks data to identify trends; recommends remedial actions.
Keeps abreast of legal and regulatory requirements; communicates and updates related policies according.
Qualifications
Minimum of 5 years of HR and employment law/legal experience
Specialized employee relations and employment law experience in the financial services industry
Bachelor and JD degree required
Ideal candidate is a non-practicing employment attorney
Excellent strategic and tactical investigation skills
High influencing, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Works well in a complex, matrixed environment. Experience working with multiple partner groups including but not limited to Legal Counsel & Compliance professionals
Advanced relationship management skills
Solutions driven and customer service oriented
Understanding of financial services business model
Demonstrate the highest of standards of ethics, integrity, honesty, diversity and discretion
Leadership capability
Emotional intelligence and the ability to adapt to different cultures