Together, WE enable individuals to look, feel, and be their true selves.
Wella Company is one of the world's leading beauty companies, comprised of a family of iconic brands such as Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin and ghd. With 6,000 employees globally, presence in over 100 countries, Wella Company and its brands enable consumers to look, feel, and be their true selves. As innovators in the hair and nail industry, Wella Company empowers its people to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, engage communities, and deliver sustainable growth to its stakeholders. For additional information about the Wella Company please visit : www.wellacompany.com
THE ROLE
We seek an in-house labor and employment counsel based in our Calabasas office, reporting to the SVP legal Global operations, corporate, Labor and employment, IT & Digital. This is a unique and outstanding opportunity for the successful candidate to join Wella's Legal team and a critical partner for Wella's Human Resources in the America's region. The successful candidate can contribute to the legal function and support the company's vision and growth.
In this role, you will provide:
A strong knowledge of the labor and employment requirements under US law (most importantly California law and NYC law)
Experience counseling business partners in a truly international and dynamic business environment
A practical ability to provide clear and solution-oriented guidance, often in complex and quickly evolving projects
Track record of successfully providing legally compliant solutions in a fast-paced and demanding environment
Strong social and communication skills are required, with the ability to build relationships of trust with HR, other Legal colleagues, management, and employees with various backgrounds and different styles
Key responsibilities:
Provide expert end-to-end legal advice and counsel to US senior management and business teams as well as HR team members on a wide range of labor and employment law issues, including but not limited to employment contracts, terminations, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour compliance, and workplace policies
Partner with employee relations lead to provide legal and strategic guidance on workforce restructuring, including reorganizations, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures (including matters giving rise to significant works council/TUPE exposure), to ensure compliance and minimize legal risk
Work with the USA region's HR team, the HR lead for employee relations, and the US regional functions to ensure programs, policies, and procedures are defined, negotiated, and deployed in due respect of employee representativeness institutions (work councils, unions if any, employee elected representative...) rights and obligations.
Collaborate with Compliance and HR for labor-related investigations that may occur in the US or concern the US region to advise on legally acceptable mitigation schemes or the required actions.
Manage and oversee employment-related litigation and disputes, collaborating with external legal counsel as needed
Collaborate with internal communication to ensure compliance with labor and employment laws for US employees' communications.
Conduct training sessions for US HR teams, managers, and employees to ensure understanding and compliance with US labor and employment laws and regulations
Partner with the European legal labor and employment legal director and the overall legal team to ensure consistency and alignment with overall legal strategies and objectives
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
15 plus years experience in employment law with a mix of law firm and a multinational company experience
Solid track record in US employment law and management of external advisors.
Experience as a strategic business advisor and comfortable operating in a visible role
Prior experience within the Consumer/FMCG industry is preferred, but other regulated industries will also be considered.
Demonstrable skills in managing as well as influencing risk-based decision-making.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
JD and appropriate bar qualifications (ideally either CA or NY or both)