Job Description

About the Company:

Avolta is the leading global travel retail and food & beverage player, enhancing every traveler’s journey through innovation and seamless execution. Operating in 73 countries with more than 1,000 locations, Avolta delivers a diverse, world-class experience across retail and dining.

In North America, Avolta is comprised of HMSHost, Hudson, and Dufry. Together, the company operates over 2,000 stores across travel convenience, specialty retail, duty free, and food & beverage in travel venues, including airports, commuter hubs, landmarks, and tourist destinations, serving millions of guests each year.

Purpose: The Legal Counsel – Labor & Employment is responsible for providing legal support for the People & Culture and Operations teams on labor and employment matters in the United States and Canada.

Essential Functions:

• Assists in providing legal advice and counsel on a wide range of labor and employment matters, including, wage and hour compliance, leaves of absence, workplace policies, accommodation requests, and claims of discrimination and harassment
• Collaborates with People & Culture, Operations, and company leadership to ensure compliance with labor and employment laws and best practices
• Reviews and drafts employment-related agreements, policies, and other legal documents
• Assists in conducting internal investigations related to employee complaints and allegations of misconduct
• Proactively monitors legislation, regulations, and emerging trends in labor and employment law; advises leadership, People & Culture, and Operations on relevant updates of federal, state, and local labor and employment laws and regulations in order to prevent employment law risk
• Assists in representing the company in labor and employment-related litigation, administrative proceedings, and arbitrations
• Provides training and guidance to employees and management on labor and employment law matters
• Assists in the development and delivery of legal compliance programs and initiatives

Reporting Relationship: The Legal Counsel – Labor & Employment reports to the Vice President & Deputy General Counsel – Labor & Employment

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:

Education and Experience: The combination of education and professional experience must exceed 8 years:

• Requires a Juris Doctor; must be in good standing at one or more state bar associations
• In a technical role: Requires 4-6 years of experience engaged in delivering labor and employment law programs at a corporate legal department or law firm§ A bachelor’s degree in a program related to the functional area can count for 3 of the eight-year education & experience requirement§ An MBA or a master’s level degree in a program related to the functional area can count for an additional 2 years of the eight-year education & experience requirement
• In the industry: Hospitality, F&B and/or Retail experience preferred

Specialized Training:

• Training that leads to an in-depth and expert level understanding of ERISA, NLRA, and state and federal employment regulations and statutes
• Training that leads to deep knowledge of HR practices and policies

Specialized Skillset/Competencies/Traits

• Demonstrated experience with conducting internal investigations and performing crisis management
• Must possess and promote high ethical standards, sound judgement, professionalism, and integrity
• Requires superior organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail; has the ability to manage multiple high-priority legal projects simultaneously
• Strong negotiating, decision making, critical thinking, deductive reasoning, and problem-solving skills
• Solid knowledge of legal research tools and proficiency in legal research; has a keen eye for detail and strong editorial skills
• Ability to explain laws and legal language in concise and clear terms
• Excellent listening, written, and oral communication skills
• Experience interacting with senior management; is self-motivated and can work with without hands-on supervision
• Strong business acumen and has the strategic mindset required to understand the long-term implications of legal decisions and to advance the organizations goals
• Demonstrated history of understanding the needs of the business, stakeholders, the employee population and individual circumstances
• Demonstrated history of creating and maintaining positive work environments through coaching, developing, and leading teams to achieve common goals

Location/Travel:

• This position is based at the F&B Center of Excellence in Bethesda, MD
• This position requires up to 25% travel

Disclaimer:

All job requirements are subject to change to reflect the evolving position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Dufry, Hudson, and HMSHost are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

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