Employment Counsel

Join the world's largest HVAC company, named by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Employers 2025! The Senior Employment Counsel will provide legal guidance and strategic support on employment law matters across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic counsel to HR and business leaders on performance management, discipline, accommodations, leave matters, and other sensitive employee-relation issues
• Conduct and oversee workplace investigations with appropriate escalation, documentation, and risk evaluation
• Manage employment litigation, administrative agency matters, and pre-litigation disputes; manage outside counsel; develop settlement strategies; and guide escalation for issues with significant legal or business impact
• Assess employment law risk, identify trends in employee relations matters, and deliver proactive mitigation strategies
• Develop and analyze metrics on claims, investigations, and litigation to inform risk, resourcing, and policy decisions
• Monitor changes in employment and related regulatory requirements (including wage/hour, leave, accommodations, and immigration compliance) and ensure timely updates to policies, practices, and documents
• Partner with HR and leadership on restructurings, reductions in force (RIFs), and organizational changes, ensuring legally compliant processes and consistent application of employment practices
• Design and deliver targeted training programs for HR and business leaders on key employment law topics (e.g., investigations, accommodations, performance management, and risk mitigation)
• Evaluate training effectiveness and adjust based on trends, claims, and investigation data
• Develop, harmonize, and implement employment policies, procedures, and templates across business units and entities to ensure consistency, scalability, and legal compliance
• Establish and maintain investigation protocols, documentation standards, escalation frameworks, and quality controls for employee relations matters
• Oversee outside counsel performance, budgeting, and matter strategy; leverage matter management and e-billing systems to monitor spend, track outcomes, and improve efficiency
• Provide support to the litigation and disputes team as needed
• Manage legal operations, technology, and system administration, including data management

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and admission into the State Bar of Minnesota; active bar membership in at least one US jurisdiction
• 6+ years of experience advising on multi-state employment law matters
• Deep knowledge of employment litigation, agency proceedings, and federal, state, and local employment laws
• Proven ability to manage employment-related litigation, oversee outside counsel, and control legal spend
• Strong capability in issue spotting, evaluating legal risk, and delivering practical, business-oriented solutions
• Skilled in conducting and overseeing sensitive workplace investigations with discretion and sound judgment
• Proficient in drafting and reviewing agreements, policies, templates, and other employment-related documents
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal and senior stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise independent decision-making, and lead high-visibility or high-risk matters
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office 365 and Adobe, with familiarity in e-billing and matter management systems
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment while providing practical, solution-oriented guidance
• Experience supporting large, multi-state or national employers; manufacturing or industrial environment is a plus
• Strong familiarity across high-risk jurisdictions such as California and Canada (preferred)
• Background in advising in-house on employment matters, including M&A, restructurings, reduction in force, and other workforce transactions (preferred)
• Skilled in using metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools to identify trends, guide strategy, and mitigate legal exposure (preferred)
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders on sensitive, high-impact issues and to design, standardize, and implement employment policies and processes across diverse business units (preferred)

Benefits

• Multiple medical insurance plan options + dental and vision insurance
• 401K retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off and company-paid holidays
• Paid sick time in accordance with federal, state, and local law
• Tuition reimbursement after 6 months of continuous service

Pay

The typical annual base salary for this position ranges from $126,100 - $221,900 + 25%-30% bonus in Minnesota. The range displayed represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade in which this position falls. Individual base pay will depend on skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Location: Plymouth, MN - Hybrid

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position.