Thrive Pet Healthcare Looking for Employment Counsel at Austin, Texas Full Time

Thrive Pet Healthcare is currently seeking an experienced Employment Counsel to join our team.

This role will be responsible for working under the direction of Associate General Counsel – Labor & Employment to assist with labor and employment matters, including but not limited to federal and state agency charge defense (EEOC, DOL, USERRA, etc.), providing counsel on employee relations matters, preparation and review of employment-related policies, employment agreements and related documents, engagement in employment agreement negotiations, and support for inspections and audits. This role will also work to support general litigation matters, and may be assigned to support other projects within the Legal Department on an as needed basis.

This position is based in Austin, TX.

Leading with Your Head
Understanding business, solving problems, and making decisions through inclusive contributions of others

• Assist with the provision of legal support for People Operations, Benefits and Talent Acquisition teams regarding various employment issues, including but not limited to employee relations, disability and religious accommodation, corrective action and progressive discipline, terminations and reductions in force, wage and hour compliance, immigration support, background check escalations, employment authorization issues and application and hiring process concerns.
• Prepare and review employment agreements working with contract specialist team, provide advice and counsel to operational leaders regarding contract terms and negotiation and/or negotiate terms with employee’s counsel directly.
• Engage in alternative dispute resolution, including direct negotiations with opposing counsel, settlement conferences, and mediation.
• Conduct interviews and gather information relevant to prospective and pending employment discrimination and other administrative matters.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant substantive and procedural case law, statutes, and regulations, including ADA, Title VII, FMLA, USERRA, FLSA, WARN and NLRB.
• Draft and review separation agreements and releases, and other settlement agreements, as may be appropriate.
• Assist with employment-related policy preparation and review.
• Assist with preparation and presentation of employment law-related trainings.
• Perform legal research and assist with other Legal Department projects and initiatives as needed
• Identify for escalation and escalate matters and issues to more senior decision makers, as appropriate.

Leading with Your Heart
Interpersonal aspect of leading with Emotional Intelligence (EQ), effective use of influence, working together constructively and creatively

• Work respectfully with clinical and field staff to gather necessary information.
• Assist with development, presentation and training on employment, litigation and compliance matters for various audiences throughout the Company.
• Communicate difficult or unfavorable news with candor and sensitivity.
• Be able to take and sustain difficult positions and to test assumptions or set limits/communicate restrictions without alienating others.
• Resolve conflicts and solve problems while maintaining positive relationships with stakeholders across the Company.

Leading With Your Hands
The art of bringing people together to leverage their skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose with greater results

• Support, coordinate and collaborate with team members at different levels and in different functions throughout the Company to achieve positive results in employee relations and other employment-related matters as well as other Legal Department projects.
• Provide clear and considerate direction to paralegals supporting functions.
• Work efficiently and collaboratively with outside counsel as appropriate.
• Perform tasks with a spirit of continuous improvement and collaborative intent.

Key Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctor from a U.S. law school accredited by the American Bar Association
• Active license to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
• A minimum of three to four years of employment law-related experience, a minimum of one year of experience handling state and/or federal administrative matters strongly preferred
• A minimum of year of litigation experience preferred
• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken
• Strong presentation skills
• Meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to handle private, sensitive, and confidential information appropriately, acting with integrity and discretion
• Possess excellent critical thinking/problem solving skills

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