Sr. Counsel, Employment Law

About:

National Veterinary Associates is one of the largest and most respected communities of veterinary hospitals in the world, operating nearly 1,000 hospitals in North America, including in all 50 states, and caring for 8,000,000+ animals annually. NVA is backed by JAB Holding, a leading private equity firm. Each person who joins NVA is motivated by our mission to provide excellent, accessible care to improve the lives of animals and the people who love them. NVA has been extremely successful over its 25+ year history and we’re very excited about our next chapter as we work toward our shared vision of revolutionizing the pet care experience to provide more fulfilling lives for pets, their companions, and our team.

Job Summary:

We’re looking for a seasoned and practical litigator and leader with meaningful employment law experience to join our team. You will report to our Associate General Counsel overseeing litigation and employment matters, providing daily advice and counsel, and partnering cross-functionally and across the Legal and Compliance Team to ensure consistent best practices and implementation of policies. Successful candidates will possess strong curiosity and adaptability. This is an exciting opportunity to join a close-knit legal team supporting a growing company with over 35,000 employees in 50 states and Canada. If you are a highly motivated and skilled employment law professional looking to make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply for the position of Senior Counsel - Employment Law.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and implement best practices, standard operating procedures, and training programs across the enterprise in partnership with functional leaders and colleagues across business units.
• Provide expert employment advice and counsel to HR and Operation partners on a wide range of employment-related matters, including but not limited to, employee relations, performance management, compensation, benefits, and compliance with employment laws and regulations.
• Provide support and guidance, as needed, to the employment agreement team and related processes, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and company policies.
• Timely analyze complex legal issues and provide responsive, practical solutions and recommendations that align with business objectives and mitigate legal risks.
• Manage employment and other corporate and civil litigation, including responding to administrative charges, conducting internal investigations, strategic coordination with external counsel, and representing the company in mediations, arbitrations, and court proceedings.
• Develop and implement strategies to minimize litigation risks and resolve disputes efficiently and effectively.
• Stay updated on changes in employment laws and regulations, and ensure the company's policies and practices are in compliance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and update employment-related policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active membership in the state bar association.
• Experience in a corporate legal department or law firm specializing in employment law is preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience practicing employment law, including litigation, with a focus on supporting multi-site operations across jurisdictions, HR counseling, and litigation management. Prior in-house experience is beneficial.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations (multi-state experience beneficial).
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a team preferred.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex legal concepts to non-legal stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Proven track record of delivering pragmatic solutions to novel legal problems and resolving disputes effectively and efficiently
• Strong curiosity about the business generally and a willingness to tackle a variety of litigation, employment matters, and general counsel advice matters
• Interest in building strong cross-functional relationships