Managing Counsel, Labor & Employment

Job Description

The Legal team provides responsive, collaborative, high-quality legal services and sound business solutions to our partners across all areas of PetSmart including business relationships, employment law, associate relations, real estate transactions, and others. They ensure we are operating with integrity and in line with our strategic initiatives.

Hybrid Position:

This position is based in Phoenix, Arizona and may be considered Hybrid based on PetSmart’s FlexSmart policy and business needs. A Hybrid work arrangement is considered to be a blend of onsite and remote work activity. Associates with a Hybrid work arrangement have a work space at Phoenix Home Office and can be required to come onsite between 1-5 days a week as determined by leadership and based on business needs.

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, this job is responsible for leading the  labor and employment legal team and its litigation docket while providing strategic guidance and support to human resources and senior leaders.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead point of contact to human resources and provide SME support to operations on labor and employment matters in the US, while also overseeing work in Canada.
  • Review legislative trends and remain up to date on changes in the law to proactively advise the business.
• Conducts research on legal matters, drafts legal memoranda, and provides legal advice to the
  
• Investigate and represent the company at the federal and state administrative level (EEOC, DOL and state and local analogue agencies).  Prepare position statements coordinating with outside counsel, where appropriate.
• Manage employment litigation, develop strategy, facilitate discovery, consult on key decisions.
• Represent the Company in mediations and negotiate settlement agreements.Develop, provide, and deliver proactive training to Human Resources professionals and business leaders on a wide variety of employment law matters.
• Manage and develop Labor and Employment team members.
• Manage outside counsel resources and legal fees in accordance with budgetary commitments and an eye towards lowering PetSmart legal fees. 

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school required.
• Admitted to a state Bar with in-house admission in Arizona.
• Minimum of 10 years related and relevant experience required.  
• Must be able to balance business needs and corporate goals within the appropriate legal framework and with a large emphasis on compliance.
• Must possess excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must provide strategic high-level legal counsel as a partner to senior business leaders and Human Resources professionals.
• Must possess good business judgment and effective interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to prioritize and manage numerous matters simultaneously.
• Prior in-house experience strongly preferred.

Preferred experience:

• Prior in-house corporate experience as Managing Counsel.
• Prior experience defending wage and hour class actions as outside or in-house counsel (in California and/or elsewhere in the U.S.)
• Labor experience.
• Prior experience advising internal clients on compliance and risk mitigation for wage and hour exposure (in California and/or elsewhere in the U.S.)
• Retail experience a plus.

At PetSmart, we work hard to create a culture where every associate feels like they truly belong and we celebrate the unique stories, backgrounds, and experiences our associates share.  These experiences not only bring new perspectives in shaping our Belonging culture but they’re core to PetSmart’s success.

Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You just may be the ideal candidate for this role, and if not this one, perhaps another position.

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet friendly environment, bring your pets to work!
• On-site Dog Park
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists and personal trainers
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options
• On-site coffee bar
• “Lil’ Paws” learning center and onsite daycare facility (associate paid)
• Volunteer events with PetSmart Charities
• Learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart here: https://www.lifeatpetsmart.com/life-at-petsmart/
• Check out Associate stories and share in some celebrations at PetSmart: https://www.blog.lifeatpetsmart.com/
• Explore PetSmart Benefits here: https://benefits.petsmart.com/
• If you don't already live in the Phoenix area here's a guide to the area:  Welcome to Phoenix Guide

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.