Sr. Counsel & Deputy Compliance Officer (67707)

At West, we’re a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West’s indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun. A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?  

There’s no better place to join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development. Supported by benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.  

We believe in giving back to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. And are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.  

Job Summary:

The Senior Counsel (Employment) and Deputy Compliance Officer will report directly to VP, Associate General Counsel, Chief Compliance and Privacy Officer. This role will serve as the lead legal counsel responsible for supporting and advising the HR team on matters related to global labor, employment, employee benefits and similar matters. This role will initially supervise at least one attorney and either have or be willing to develop a working knowledge of compliance programs for public companies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide advice to global human resources colleagues regarding day-to-day labor and employment issues, including leave management, disability accommodation, harassment and discrimination, employee relations, wage and hour, compensation, non-competition, severance, and related issues.
• Advise clients on employment related agreements, potential and actual employment litigation issues, risk management and litigation strategy, as well as responses to EEOC, OSHA, DOL, IRS and other US and non-US government agency inquiries
• Render advice regarding employee benefits issues, including qualified and nonqualified retirement plans, welfare benefit plans, non-US plans, and proven ability to render practical business advice regarding the same
• Use project management skills to increase productivity, drive simplicity in legal and business operations and streamline processes
• Assist with drafting of securities filings, including Annal Proxy Statement and Forms 8-K
• Assist Compliance and Ethics with advice, policy drafting, investigations support (as needed), subject matter expertise
• Develop education and training on relevant issues that can be delivered through various media and to all levels of employees
• Coordinate with outside counsel, where appropriate, and subject to budget considerations
• Other duties as assigned

Basic Qualifications: 

• Law Degree from an accredited law school in the United States
• Minimum of 12+ years of experience advising on labor and employment and/or employee benefits issues required;

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience conducting and/or adjudicating internal investigations is strongly preferred
• In-house corporate legal experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to embrace simplification and optimization of legal processes
• Business mindset
• As comfortable reading a financial statement as a legal document
• Solution oriented with a demonstrated ability to innovate and think “outside the box”
• Demonstrated learning agility and intellectual curiosity
• Significant experience advising clients outside the United States
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Dependability, attention to detail with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as a team player.
• Able to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Able to be aware of all relevant SOPs as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description
• Able to comply with the company’s safety and quality policies at all times

Travel Requirements:

• Must be able to travel up to 20% of the time

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• Must be able to work in a sedentary work environment. Exerting up to 10lbs/ 4 kgs of force occasionally, and/ or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Must be able to communicate effectively, speak in front of groups, express & exchange ideas and understand direction. 
• Maintain the ability to work well with others in a variety of situations.
• Able to multi-task, work under time constraints, problem solve, and prioritize.
• Able to learn and apply new information or new skills.

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West embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We foster an environment where all individuals are safe, treated fairly, valued and respected. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Where permitted by law, employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of post-offer background screening and/or drug screening.