Assistant General Counsel – Litigation and Employment

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Signet Jewelers is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry, operating more than 2,800 stores worldwide under the iconic brands: Kay Jewelers, Zales, Jared, H.Samuel, Ernest Jones, Peoples, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Rocksbox, JamesAllen.com and Diamonds Direct. We are a people-first company and this core value is at the heart of everything we do, from empowering our valued team members, to collaborating with our customers, to fostering the communities in which we live and serve. People – and the love their actions inspire – are what drive us. We’re not only proud of the love we inspire outside our walls, we’re especially proud of the diversity, inclusion and equity we’re inspiring inside. There are dynamic career paths awaiting you – rewarding opportunities to impact the lives of others and inspire love. Join us!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Employment Law Advice & Counseling

• Partner with HR and key business partners to provide day-to-day proactive employment law advice.
• Address a variety of employment law matters including, but not limited to: Recruiting, hiring, employee relations, performance counsel, discipline and terminations.
• Handle employment claims, wage and hour issues, workers’ compensation and leave issues under federal and state laws: Provide timely, accurate and strategic legal counsel and support to internal customers.  Provide advice & counsel regarding employment and operation matters related to areas of accountability, and support compliance functions of Company.  Support provision of research, advice and in-service training to internal customers, as assigned. 

2. Drafting and Negotiation

• Collaborate with HR to draft, negotiate, and review severance packages.
• Create settlement agreements and other employment-related agreements.
• Review and revise existing company policies to ensure compliance with evolving legal needs and collaborate with business teams on the development and drafting of new company policies.

3. Legal Training Development

• Identify the need for legal training on company policies.
• Assist in developing training materials on various employment law topics and legal processes.

4. Risk Mitigation

• Exercise considerable judgment in identifying potential employment related risks.
• Proactively mitigate these risks through strategic counsel.
• Identify the need for legal training on company policies and various employment law topics and develop training materials.

5. Team Leadership and Outside Counsel Management

• Ensure efficient delivery of top-quality legal services to Company in litigated claims, including employment matters, general liability and consumer litigation.  Litigate and manage to budget single claimant litigation, arbitrations, administrative charges, and demands.  Manage outside legal vendors providing such services.  Provide support in complex litigations and compliance initiatives, as assigned.
• Provide daily management of eDiscovery, legal hold, document preservation and subpoena functions. Prepare periodic reports on legal function activities, claim/litigation status, and claims budgeting.
• Assist in the coordination and oversight of litigation paralegals.
• Manage outside counsel assigned to various litigation matters.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Skills

• 5+ years’ experience required, preferably in litigation, top law firm, and prior in-house assignment. Retail experience is highly desired, but not a requirement.
• In-Depth Knowledge of Employment Law, including a comprehensive understanding of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
• Proven track record in handling employment-related litigation, including discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and wage disputes.
• Ability to provide strategic legal advice to HR departments and senior management on employment law and other legal matters.
• Experience in partnering with HR in creating and implementing company policies that comply with legal standards while aligning with organizational goals.
• High ethical standards with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and integrity in all dealings.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with HR professionals and key business partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Must be able to work independently, drive matters to conclusion with minimal supervision, while coordinating and collaborating effectively with other attorneys, paralegals, and business partners.
• Must have strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced and demanding work environment.
• Excellent analytical skills to identify potential legal issues proactively and develop practical solutions.
• Must be dedicated to staying on top of changes in employment law through continuous education and professional development.
• Demonstrates a high level of trust and integrity under strict confidentiality and discretion.
• Professional and positive persona with strong business intuition.
• Comfortable working independently, making decisions, and anticipating needs.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate changing priorities and deadlines.

Requirements

• Education: Juris Doctor required
• Minimum of 4 years of litigation experience.
• Experience in employment claims and litigation is required.
• Licensed attorney in good standing; active status in minimum of one state; admitted to practice in one or more states.
• Experience practicing law in one or more federal court(s). Ability to get Ohio Corporate Counsel license if not already licensed to practice law in the State of Ohio.