Job Title: Employment Counsel and Director of Associate Relations
Job Responsibilities:
The Employment Counsel and Director of Associate Relations is a pivotal role that integrates legal expertise with strategic human resources leadership to foster a compliant, inclusive, and high-performing work environment. The responsibilities encompass a broad range of duties, including:
- Providing day-to-day legal counsel to HR and business leaders on employment matters such as hiring, performance management, discipline, terminations, accommodations, leaves of absence, and wage and hour compliance.
- Leading the Associate Relations function to ensure consistent, fair, and legally compliant handling of employee matters throughout the organization.
- Acting as the primary escalation point for complex associate relations concerns and conducting thorough investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or other workplace misconduct.
- Offering pragmatic and consistent guidance to managers on sensitive employee issues, including grievances, attendance, performance management, and workplace conduct.
- Raising proactive HR and legal issues to leaders and recommending practical, compliant action plans to address and resolve workplace concerns.
- Serving as a strategic partner to regional and branch leaders by building strong business relationships and demonstrating both legal expertise and business acumen.
- Managing and leading complex, cross-functional HR projects while balancing both legal and people strategy considerations.
- Partnering with HR and Legal to identify workforce trends and proactively addressing root causes through policy updates, training, or organizational improvements.
- Collaborating with the recruitment team and Managed Service Providers to support talent selection efforts, including engagement with local community job groups.
- Conducting and continuously improving onboarding programs and employee education efforts, including trainings on policies, benefits, and diversity-related initiatives.
- Administering employee benefits in collaboration with the Total Rewards team and supporting wellness-related programming and communications.
- Monitoring changes in federal and California labor and employment law and advising business leaders on compliance implications.
- Drafting and maintaining employment policies, handbooks, and internal procedures to ensure alignment with evolving legislation and organizational needs.
- Partnering with outside counsel as needed on employment litigation, administrative agency charges, and other legal matters.
- Delivering targeted training to HR and business leaders on employment law compliance, associate relations best practices, and risk mitigation.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience Information:
- A Juris Doctor (.) from an accredited law school is required.
- Active membership in the California State Bar or the ability to register as in-house counsel in California is necessary.
- A minimum of 2 years of employment law experience is required, ideally gained at a law firm, in-house legal department, or a combination thereof.
- Demonstrated knowledge of California labor laws and employment practices is essential.
- Experience in handling employee relations matters, either in a legal or HR capacity, is required.
- The candidate should possess excellent judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization are crucial.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment are required. Flexibility and willingness to work the demands of the department, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, are necessary.
Salary Information:
The salary for the Employment Counsel and Director of Associate Relations position ranges from $120,000 to $170,000, depending on competency, experience, qualifications, and skills.
Corporate Summary:
At Company, people come first – our associates, our customers, and the families we serve across the nation. As a privately-held, family-owned and -operated Forbes 500 company, Company is an innovator in the food industry and has been since being founded in Arizona in 1922.
Our Mission: At Company, we live by our founding family’s motto to “treat associates like family and customers like friends.”
Why work for us?
Benefits are a major part of your overall compensation, and we believe offering them at an affordable cost is not only the right thing to do, but it helps keep you and your family healthy. That’s why Company pays for the majority of your health insurance, allowing you to take home more of your paycheck. Our associates also enjoy additional benefits such as a 401(k) Savings Plan, Profit Sharing, Paid Time Off, as well as incredible growth opportunities, continued education, and wellness programs.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
At Company, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
The employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, applicants are encouraged to review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
