Director, Legal Counsel - Litigation & Employment (Hybrid)

Job description

In-house corporate attorney specializing in employment and employment/business litigation. This role will be Belk’s internal advisor on employment and litigation matters, handling employment, litigation and general civil litigation matters prior to litigation including drafting and responding to demand letters and negotiating pre-litigation settlements. For matters which reach litigation, this role will identify and engage appropriate outside counsel; manage such outside counsel with respect to the legal work and billing; help research background factual information related to legal issues and identifying relevant documents; assist in the preparation of legal documents including drafting and editing pleadings and correspondence; and coordinating requests from external counsel in furtherance of deposition, trial or arbitration preparation. In addition to work on employment/business litigation matters, you will provide advice regarding employment matters and litigation risk and best practices across the organization, including partnering closely with the Human Resources team on hiring, retention, performance management, accommodation requests, policy interpretation, employee relations, and other employment-related matters. This role will serve as a key legal partner to the internal Human Resources team and be an active member of the HR leadership team. Essential Functions: Be a self-starter in supporting employment and business litigation, arbitration, dispute-prevention and dispute-resolution needs, including serving as the lead internal counsel. Manage all phases of employment and business-related litigation, arbitration, and agency matters (EEOC, DOL, state agencies), from inception through resolution, including coordinating with outside counsel and government agencies when needed. Demonstrate thought leadership and a record of success in handling employment and business litigation - arbitration matters. Provide timely and time-sensitive legal counsel, information, advice, and guidance on employment and civil business litigation matters. Advise on risk management, personnel policies, and employment compliance to avoid future litigation. Identify and analyze complex legal/employment issues and provide appropriate legal advice regarding applicable legal standards. Draft, review and edit employment and business litigation-related documents (e.g., motions, briefs, pleadings, litigation holds, discovery responses, settlement agreements, and protective orders). Oversee and manage responses to subpoenas and third-party requests for information. Monitor and analyze trends in employment laws to recommend preventive measures and policy updates. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local labor and employment laws. Provide day-to-day employment law advice to the Human Resources team and business leaders on hiring, recruiting, retention, discipline, performance management, corrective action, separations, reductions in force, and other employee lifecycle matters. Counsel on employee relations matters, internal investigations, workplace complaints, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, wage and hour issues, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodation requests, and compliance with ADA, FMLA, Title VII, ADEA, FLSA, and related federal, state, and local employment laws. Review, draft, and advise on employment-related policies, handbooks, procedures, templates, communications, offer letters, separation agreements, settlement agreements, restrictive covenants, training materials, and other employment documents. Partner with HR leadership to develop practical, legally compliant employment strategies, identify emerging workplace risks, and support consistent application of employment policies and practices across the organization. Serve as an active member of the HR leadership team, providing legal input on workforce planning, policy initiatives, associate relations priorities, organizational changes, and other HR-led initiatives. Conduct trainings for HR, management, and associates on employment laws and compliance. Support the Head of Legal and other legal team members, as requested, in connection with legal matters. Manage and support the growth of the legal team including the personal development of junior lawyer(s) and paralegal(s) on the team. Build positive cross-functional partnerships with internal business partners to promote collaboration and ensure material issues/risks are being sent to Legal for review. Enable internal partners to reach out for legal advice prior to making decisions that include legal or business risk. Proactively research and stay up to date on retail industry trends, risks, and issues. Support Legal and Business Team needs as requested, including outside of area of expertise. Effectively maintain records and files of legal department for matters overseen or managed. Maintain confidentiality and impeccable ethical standards at all times. Position is hybrid and will work onsite in Charlotte, NC 3 days per week. Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree - must have a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school. Must be licensed and able to practice law in the state of NC. License must be in good standing. Must comply with annual CLE requirements for maintaining license to practice law. Excellent written and oral communication skills along with a demonstrated ability to collaborate with internal and external partners to drive business results. Strong work ethic, prudent judgment, and ability to manage risk and internal compliance and control policy enforcement. Minimum of 5+ years of handling a wide variety of employment and business litigation matters, including single-plaintiff matters as well as complex litigation. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Demonstrate extensive negotiation skills with respect to legal issues. Demonstrate a creative and strategic mindset, excellent judgment, strong communications skills, and strong work ethic. Demonstrate a pragmatic business approach to legal and business issues. Communicate with stakeholders regarding litigation risks and status of ongoing disputes. Work as part of a team, with heavy emphasis on collaboration, transparency, and communication. Be a problem solver, able to address complex disputes from strategy to execution. Demonstrate learning agility and adaptability; be able to improve and evolve approach, systems, or strategies when necessary. First-class verbal/written communications skills. Excellent organizational and negotiation skills. Establish and maintain strong relationships, credibility, and trust with internal business partners, colleagues, vendors, and outside legal counsel. Ability to work effectively with and manage outside legal counsel and other outside service providers, if applicable. Proficient in the personal use of standard legal and business technology, including Microsoft Office products. Work within and sometimes lead cross functional teams. Serve as a positive Belk ambassador in interactions with customers, vendors, other employees, and the community. Pay Range $155,000 - $230,000 Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to achievements, skills, experience, or work location. The range listed is just one component of the compensation package offered to candidates. #LI-CG1