Senior Director, Employment Counsel

At National Vision we believe everyone deserves to see their best to live their best. We help people by making quality eye care and eyewear more affordable and accessible. National Vision is one of the largest optical retail companies in the United States with over 1,200 stores. We operate four retail brands: America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, and Vista Optical inside select Fred Meyer stores and on select military bases. We offer an innovative culture where training is a priority, hard work is praised, and career growth is a reality.

About the Role

This attorney serves as a trusted advisor to business leaders on labor and employment matters, providing practical, business-focused legal counsel, driving effective employment law strategies and processes, and partnering with cross-functional stakeholders across the organization. The position also leads the management of all actual and threatened legal claims against the Company and oversees all litigation, including employment, commercial, and other corporate disputes, working closely with internal stakeholders and outside counsel to achieve favorable outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Partners with teams across the organization to provide strategic counsel, guidance, and support on a broad range of legal issues that relate to the Company’s employees and worksites, including EEO, safety, immigration, and regulatory compliance.
• Identifies, evaluates, and resolves complex business issues and risks with cross-functional collaboration and appropriate communication to the executive leadership team.
• Manages all litigation and administrative complaints for the Company and its affiliates, including developing case strategy, preparing positions statements, retaining and supervising outside counsel, managing costs, determining legal reserve, participating in ADR and negotiating appropriate resolution when needed.
• Supervises the Company’s immigration-related matters, including setting strategy and ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations.
• Manages paralegals and a legal specialist.
• Negotiates and prepares employment contracts and other legal documents, including employment agreements, arbitration agreements, restrictive covenants, separation agreements, and independent contractor agreements.
• Conducts and otherwise supports workplace investigations.
• Leads legal and compliance projects and audits related to policy and regulatory compliance (employment and non-employment).
• Tracks key metrics and provides data reporting to mitigate risk and ensure legal aspects of employment and workplace strategy align with Company’s stated goals.
• Reviews and analyzes changes in laws or regulations that impact operations at the federal, state, and local levels and implements any needed changes in policy and procedures.
• Creates and maintains job aids and other tools to support compliance with employment-related laws and regulations.
• Partners with Training and Development to develop and implement programs and training plans that meet legal requirements and support a compliant workplace.
• Supports mergers, acquisitions, integrations, and new worksite development.
• Analyzes data, conducts research, and reviews policies, procedures, and processes to assess risk, monitor adherence to policies and procedures, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Leads, directs, manages, and evaluates direct reports.

Requirements

• 7+ years legal experience with a combination of law firm/in-house (Required)
• JD from an accredited Law School (Required)
• Licensed attorney of law in at least one state (Required)
• Expert knowledge of employment and labor laws (Required)
• Experience with litigation and counseling (Required)

Skills

• Microsoft CoPilot (Required)
• Practical Law – Co-Counsel (Required)
• Task Management or Matter Tracker Software (Required)
• Invoice billing software (Required)
• Strong verbal/written communication abilities; effective interpersonal skills; strong attention to detail (Required)
• Understanding of the complexity of business needs and decision drivers within an organization. Must be able to consider available facts, constraints, competitive circumstances, and probable consequences (Required)
• Excellent organization, planning, judgment, and time management skills (Required)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information with tact and discretion (Required)

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive benefits package including health and dental insurance
• 401k retirement savings with company match
• Flex spending account
• Paid personal time off
• Paid company holidays
• Parental leave
• Employee eyewear discount
• Training programs and access to educational courses
• Opportunities for professional growth and long-term career fulfillment