Senior Counsel – Employment (U.S. Lead), San Francisco Bay Area, CA (Hybrid) (959-SLS)

Job description

Our client is a global, publicly traded technology company operating at the intersection of SaaS, fintech, and payments has exclusively retained Solutus Legal Search to assist the executives in their search for a global employment leader. With a strong international footprint and continued rapid growth, the company is focused on building scalable, technology-enabled solutions that empower businesses and drive meaningful economic impact. The Legal team plays a critical role in enabling the business to move quickly and responsibly, take smart risks, and deliver practical, high-impact solutions that support long-term growth. The office is located in the San Francisco Bay Area and, while there is no formal in-office requirement, this attorney will ideally come into the office two days a week. This role reports to the GM, Legal – APAC. This attorney will serve as a senior employment leader, partnering closely with Human Resources, senior leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders across the U.S. and globally. A key aspect of the position is the design and implementation of scalable systems, tools, and processes that enhance how employment-related risk is managed across the organization, while acting as a trusted advisor to leaders in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. ### Responsibilities include: - Leading strategic and hands-on employment law support across U.S. and global operations, including advising on complex employee relations matters, investigations, performance management, compensation, and separations - Designing and scaling employment law frameworks, policies, processes, and tools (including AI-enabled solutions) to drive consistency, efficiency, and proactive risk management - Supporting workforce initiatives such as restructuring, organizational design, and cross-border expansion, while monitoring legal and regulatory developments and translating them into actionable business guidance - Managing employment disputes and pre-litigation matters, drafting and negotiating employment-related agreements, and partnering cross-functionally while overseeing external counsel and driving legal operations improvements The ideal candidate is a thoughtful, business-minded employment attorney with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and to partner closely with senior stakeholders. The role requires a strong combination of legal expertise, practical judgment, and an operational mindset, along with the ability to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively. A collaborative, solutions-oriented approach and the ability to balance competing priorities are essential. ### Relevant experience typically includes: - Approximately 8+ years of legal experience with a significant focus on employment law - In-house experience within a technology company or similar high-growth environment (SaaS, fintech, or related sectors preferred) - Juris Doctor (J.D.) and active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction - Experience advising senior leaders and partnering closely with HR/PX on workforce strategy and employee relations matters - Strong experience handling employment counseling, investigations, and litigation or pre-litigation matters - Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating employment-related agreements and policies in a commercial context - Experience supporting complex, multi-jurisdictional employment issues (U.S. required; international exposure preferred) - Familiarity with using data, technology, and AI-enabled tools to improve processes and scale legal impact