Senior Labor & Employment Counsel, USA

As Senior Labor & Employment Counsel for the USA, you will be offered the opportunity to share and influence the design and/or implementation of Labor and Employment strategies to ensure that the ABB business is always operating within a sound legal, compliance and regulatory framework on all Labor & Employment (L&E) matters for USA.

This position will handle a broad range of L&E activities (either directly or through local legal counsels) and act as a strategic business partner across all Business Areas (BA), under the strategic direction of the Global Head of L&E law for Motion. Provide critical strategic input to develop the L&E USA in collaboration with the Group Head L&E and Heads of L&E for BA’s and support regional strategy for Motion.

This role is open to remote candidates located within the United States (with a preference for those in the Eastern or Central Time Zones to be able to easily interface with internal customers domestically and internationally). #LI-Remote

This role is contributing to the Motion, Electrification & Automation Business, BA Function Legal & Integrity in USA.

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Employment Related Litigation: Manage all employment related litigation. Such management could be advisory and/or strategic in nature. Being actively involved in forming litigation and/or settlement strategy.  Handling settlement negotiations. Determining who will act as outside counsel and oversee fees and costs. Acting as a liaison between outside counsel and the ABB Business Unit involved in litigation.

• Labor & Employment Issues: Formulating strategies for Union contracts and, depending on the situation, become directly involved with the Union negotiations. Manage Union related issues such as union avoidance, union organizing campaigns, labor arbitrations, etc. Providing human resources professionals and Company management with sound legal advice and counsel on employment issues to minimize potential legal exposure.  Areas of consultation include, but are not limited to: severance packages; separation agreements; employee performance issues; vetting decisions to terminate employment; complying with state and federal employment laws; draft/review any employment related agreements; provide interpretation/guidance on employment restrictive covenants (i.e. non-competes, trade secrets, etc); and perform labor and employment due diligence related to acquisitions. Advise on internal investigations into code of conduct/human resource compliance issues. Review and provide legal guidance on employment policies and procedures; update same as law develops. Keep human resources professionals and Company management apprised of legal and legislative developments relating to employment and labor relations. Oversee fiduciary activities for Benefit and Investment Committee matters on a need basis, to ensure they conform to ERISA standards. Serve as a strategic legal advisor on emerging HR and L&E technologies, including digital and behavioral assessments, anticipating regulatory developments and mitigating organizational, reputational, and litigation risk.

• Management of Legal Administrative Labor & Employment Actions: Oversee all legal administrative charges from external federal or state agencies (such as EEOC and NLRB). Managing and conducting mediations that arise from external claims.

• Training & Audits: Providing employment related compliance training, through the development and personal presentation of training or through coordination with an appropriate training source. Developing and executing “train the trainer” programs for providing workplace compliance training. Identifying areas of potential risk and/or exposure and take appropriate actions to minimize such risk.  Examples include internal audits, appropriate training, policy reviews. Ensuring good corporate governance (including structuring, drafting, and negotiation) in your area of accountability within the country, with respect to Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) / divestiture transactions.

Qualifications for the role:

• Juris Doctor Degree and at least 10+ years’ experience in US Employment and Labor Law (additional Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Human Resources preferred)

• Prior litigation experience or extensive experience in managing litigation as an inhouse attorney

• Technical ability to research, review and understand local, state and federal employment laws and how they relate to Company’s business operations

• Strong people skills, including negotiations

• Superior communication skills (both verbal and written) with all levels of internal and external stakeholders

• Successful ability to multi-task

• Strong organizational, collaborative and follow up skills

• Work experience in a multinational environment and providing advice in relation to multi-jurisdictional/ cross-border projects, including exposure to strategic business decisions

• Willing to work flexible hours when necessary to connect with colleagues abroad.

• Ability to travel as needed. 

• Candidates must already possess authorization to work for ABB in the US.

What's in it for you:

We empower you to take initiative, challenge ideas, and lead with confidence. You’ll grow through meaningful work, continuous learning, and support that’s tailored to your goals. Every idea you share and every action you take contributes to something bigger

ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their- sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age,  race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.

For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer for Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, applicants may request to review the plan of a particular ABB facility between the hours of 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. EST Monday through Friday by contacting an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762.

Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to [email protected]. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner.

While base salary is determined by things such as the successful applicant’s qualifications and experience, this position is expected to pay between $163,500 and $261,600 annually and is eligible for a short-term incentive plan/annual bonus.

ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees

[excludes ABB E-mobility, Athens union, Puerto Rico]

Go to MyBenefitsABB.com and click on “Candidate/Guest” to learn more

Health, Life & Disability

• Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan. 

• Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus

• Vision benefit

• Company paid life insurance (2X base pay)

• Company paid AD&D (1X base pay)

• Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums

• Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid

• Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid.  Ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay.

• Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Assistance Program

• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption

• Employee discount program

Retirement

• 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions 

• Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)

Time off

ABB provides 11 paid holidays.  Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy.