Senior Assistant General Counsel, Employment & Labor

OVERVIEW

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. 

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

INTRO TO POSITION

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel for Labor & Employment, the Sr. Assistant General Counsel provides expert employment legal advice and support for labor relations and labor law counseling, consistent with the Company’s overall business and corporate strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advise leaders and HR professionals in a complex environment supporting more than 1000 journalists and support staff.
• Provide advice and counsel on employment law issues including hiring, discipline, terminations, pay, and benefits.
• Provide legal advice and support to NPR’s People Team on accommodations and internal investigations.
• Counsel HR, management, and supervisors on handling employee relations matters, including employee counseling, discipline, and benefits issues.
• Negotiate and draft employment agreements and other personal service contracts, including severance and separation agreements, fixed-term employment agreements, and other employment-related agreements.
• Provide legal interpretation, guidance, and editing/drafting on HR policies, forms, and templates.
• Advise managers and International Desk staff on compliance with applicable international employment matters.
• Prepare materials for and conduct employment law training.
• Manage outside counsel in defense of employment related claims and legal actions, including making recommendations on defense strategy and negotiations with opposing counsel.
• Contribute to the development of compliance programs and associated training.
• Maintain an ongoing and current working knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations applicable to the employment function including but not limited to Title VII, ADEA, OWBPA, ADA, FMLA, ERISA, FLSA, workers’ compensation, and employee classification issues, as well as state and local employment laws and regulations in multiple state and local jurisdictions.
• Assist the Associate General Counsel for Labor & Employment in setting the Company’s labor strategy.
• Advise the Retirement Committee and benefits personnel on ERISA compliance, with assistance from outside counsel as needed.
• Advising and updating internal leadership and NPR’s Board of Directors on relevant employment and labor related matters.
• Participate in Crisis Management Team meetings, advising on security and safety issues, as requested.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Five to seven years of legal practice at a firm or in-house legal team or government agency.
• Licensed to practice in at least one jurisdiction and eligible for admission in the District of Columbia.
• Experience in negotiation of complex and sophisticated contracts, including ability to assess and articulate appropriate risk/reward analysis.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

•  Bachelor's degree and J.D. required

WORK LOCATION

• Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role include duties that are better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be onsite at the Washington, DC office at least 1 day a week. The employee must also reside in an NPR supported location based on the number of onsite days they choose.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Extensive knowledge of labor and employment law and regulations including, anti-discrimination laws, anti-retaliation and other whistleblower protection laws. FMLA and other leave laws, wage hour and wage payment laws, employment tax rules, labor laws, as well as basic understanding of immigration, workplace safety, and employee benefits laws.
• Ability to quickly establish credibility with management as an effective resource and problem-solver; ability to work well in a team environment and in collaboration with Human Resources staff.
• Considerable ability to exercise independent judgment and make analyses and recommendations on difficult and sensitive employee relations matters.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, facilitation and presentation skills, including strong negotiation and dispute resolution skills.

JOB TYPE

• This is a full-time, exempt position.

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $185,000 - $200,000 plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees. 

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

#LI-HYBRID

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

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