SENIOR COUNSEL-LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (HYBRID)

Senior Counsel, Labor & Employment will report to Assistant General Counsel, Labor & Employment and will be responsible for providing proactive, strategic, and practical legal advice and counsel on labor and employment laws to HR, Legal and business partners.  

• This position can be based in Merrillville, IN or Columbus, OH. 

• This is a hybrid position with in-office days of Tuesday and Wednesday.  

• Some travel required.

• In addition to base salary, this role is bonus eligible.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert in labor and employment matters, providing strategic, timely and practical legal guidance to HR, business partners, and matters, including but not limited to Title VII, ADA/FMLA, NLRA, FLSA.
• Provide legal advice on and manage complex legal matters involving internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop strategic plans and practices for employment-related matters, including but not limited to, policies, procedures, litigation and pre-litigation matters.
• Develop effective legal solutions using solid legal and business acumen that balance legal compliance with business goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain strong trust-based relationships and work collaboratively to achieve desired objectives with key stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver trainings to HR and business partners on relevant legal issues, including but not limited to labor and employment topics.
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively to various levels of stakeholders from front line managers to executive leaders.
• Stay updated on relevant labor and employment laws and regulatory issues and provide applicable legal advice and updates to stakeholders.
• Negotiate with outside parties on contractual issues and legal disputes.
• Evaluate existing processes and procedures and identify, develop, and execute solutions in support of the company’s culture of continuous improvement. 
• Represent company in arbitration proceedings; review and interpret labor agreements.
• Retain and supervise/manage outside counsel on select matters.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, licensed to practice law in at least one US state, and a member in good standing with the state bar.
• 7+ years of labor and employment law experience both law firm and/or in house.
• Subject matter expertise in labor and employment laws.
• Experience successfully building and maintaining strong working relationships with clients and other key stakeholders.
• Exemplary communication skills – both oral and written - ability to distill complex legal matters into concise, clear, and relatable terms.
• Experience developing and leading employment law training and drafting employment law policies, contracts and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Experience in conducting and training other professionals on internal employee relations investigations.
• Strong negotiation skills, including experience negotiating and/or interpreting collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience assisting in grievance processes and unfair labor practice charges.
• Experience with independent case handling responsibility up to litigation.
• Strong, logical legal mind with the ability to apply abstract concepts of law to make timely, well-reasoned and appropriate decisions to solve problems.
• Ability to work efficiently under time pressures and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Self-starter and able to function autonomously yet knows when to escalate matters and keep leadership updated on matters and cases.
• Strong project management and presentation skills.
• Strong business acumen, problem solving, strategic planning, and critical thinking skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the utility industry or other regulated industry.
• Experience at a publicly traded corporation.
• Experience with the health and safety laws, enterprise records management, emergency response, or business continuity.

Disclaimer

• The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.

Work Authorization

Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Inclusion & Diversity 
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.

Respect and take into consideration diversity within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represent all walks of life and all backgrounds.

Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity 
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities.