Senior Director, Chief Labor And Employment Counsel

Requisition ID: 60955
ABOUT WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is committed to being the best global kitchen and laundry company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. In an increasingly digital world, the company is driving purposeful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Consul, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, JennAir, Indesit, Yummly and InSinkErator. In 2022, the company reported approximately $20 billion in annual sales, 61,000 employees and 56 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
The team you will be a part of
The team performs a variety of legal activities in accordance with the established standards of the legal profession to protect the organization's reputation and business interests and help ensure it complies with all relevant laws and regulations. Prepares legal contracts, letters of agreement, and other documents related to a variety of trade, commercial, financial, and operational matters (e.g., loans, leases, purchase agreements, acquisitions, divestitures, employment contracts). Represents the organization in legal proceedings before courts, government agencies, or other authorities.
This role in summary
We are seeking an attorney to lead our Human Resources Legal Team as the global head of employment law, reporting to the VP of HR Operations. This position will work closely with senior leadership in HR and across the company, as well as with HR and leadership at all levels, to provide counsel on all matters related to Labor and Employment law. You will be an integral part of the Human Resources and Leadership team. Bring your ideas, enthusiasm, and passion to a place where you can make a difference.
This is an opportunity to be in a collegial environment where you can work as a trusted business advisor, serve as a member of cross functional teams, interact with others across the organization, and act as a driver of first-class business processes and practices within a dynamic organization. The position is located at the Whirlpool Global Headquarters in Benton Harbor & St. Joseph Michigan, located just 90 miles from downtown Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan, offering a small town lifestyle with the benefits of a spectacular lakefront that serves as a summer resort community.
Applicants must be Licensed to Practice Law in at least one state in the United States and must be a member in good standing with that State bar.
Your responsibilities will include

• Provide strategic leadership for the function and on significant matters across the company
• Provide advice and counsel to management regarding compliance with existing Labor and Employment laws and new legislation
• Provide advice and counsel on issues related to the ADA FMLA, USERRA, state and federal wage and hour laws, state and federal employment discrimination statutes, FLSA, equal pay, corporate separateness and contingent workers' issues, affirmative action and diversity, drug-free workplace, NLRA claims, general union relations and contract negotiations, strike support, employee discipline and termination, restructuring, whistleblower laws, wrongful discharge claims, drafting employment agreements and policies, and other Labor and Employment law matters
• Provide representation for the Company before state and federal administrative agencies, including the EEOC, state and local human rights agencies, the Department of Labor, OFCCP, other Labor and Employment related agencies, as well as in mediations and arbitrations under Company's local union grievance procedures
• Cost-effectively manage employment litigation and interface with outside counsel
• Support counseling for employment and labor matters in select countries where Whirlpool does business.
• Provide advice and counsel on labor related aspects of mergers and acquisitions
• Provide advice and counsel in other business areas and work on legal projects to improve business policies and processes
• Support and contribute to HR Legal team's annual objectives; the Company and Human Resource team's initiatives, and work on continuous improvement of our policies and processes
• Ability to travel as needed

Minimum requirements

• Juris Doctorate
• 15+ years experience at a law firm or as in-house counsel with a practice that focuses on Labor and Employment
• Active license to practice law in good standing in at least one state in the United States

Preferred skills and experiences

• Demonstrated experience providing legal advice in a highly regulated environment
• Demonstrated experience identifying and resolving legal issues quickly and effectively and ability to make on the spot risk calls
• Demonstrated experience prioritizing conflicting demands from multiple business clients in an extremely fast paced environment
• Ability to set and meet multiple priorities, initiative to take on new challenges and high energy to work with diverse teams in a fast paced work environment
• Significant L&E experience at a law firm, company, or in a government practice with an established Labor and Employment practice
• Experience with class actions and Labor and Employment-related corporate governance activities (eg., mergers and acquisitions, integrations, etc.) strongly preferred
• Experience with global employment and/or litigation issues

Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation
See what it's like to work at Whirlpool by visiting Whirlpool Careers. Additional information about the company can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
At Whirlpool Corporation, we value and celebrate diversity. Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.