Corporate Counsel - Employment

We’re Watts. Together, we’re reimagining the future of water.

We feel proud every day about what we do. We're all part of the same crucial mission, no matter what function we support -- it's to provide safe, clean water for the world, and to protect our planet's most valuable resource.

What we do:

For 150 years, Watts has built best-in-class products that are trusted by customers in residential and commercial settings across the world. We are at the forefront of innovation, working with cutting-edge technology to provide smart and connected, sustainable water solutions for the future. Watts is a leading brand with a quality reputation — and we have a dynamic future ahead.​

Scope of Position

As part of the Legal Department, this highly motivated and collaborative attorney will support the Company’s employment law function by partnering with Human Resources and business leaders on a broad range of employee relations and workplace matters. The attorney will provide practical employment law advice and counseling on employee relations matters, including wage and hour compliance, accommodations and leave management, performance management, labor relations, and immigration. The attorney will also support workplace investigations, employment litigation, policy development, compliance initiatives, and manager training within a collaborative in-house legal environment. The attorney is expected to independently manage assigned matters, evaluate and communicate legal risks, exercise sound judgment regarding issue escalation, and produce high-quality work product.

This position reports to the Assistant General Counsel (Employment). This role is hybrid and based in North Andover, MA.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide practical, timely legal advice to Human Resources and other business leaders on a range of employment law matters, including employee relations, performance management, discipline, termination, accommodations, leave administration, wage and hour compliance, workforce restructurings, and other workplace issues.
• Conduct and oversee workplace investigations involving internal and external complaints, policy violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics concerns, and other alleged misconduct, and recommend appropriate corrective actions and risk mitigation measures.
• Manage assigned employment-related litigation, administrative charges, agency matters, and pre-litigation disputes, partnering with outside counsel on strategy, discovery, and case management.
• Assist in drafting, reviewing, and updating employment-related policies, agreements, handbooks, communications, and training materials.
• Develop and deliver training for employees, managers, and business leaders on employment law compliance and employee relations best practices.
• Support business initiatives, organizational changes, acquisitions and subsequent integrations, workforce planning efforts, and other strategic projects involving employment-related risk.
• Monitor developments in employment law and emerging workplace topics, including artificial intelligence, employee privacy, and personnel data issues affecting a multi-state and global workforce.
• Support Legal Department projects and compliance initiatives, including ethics and compliance programs, training efforts, litigation management, and other legal matters based on Company priorities.
• Assume responsibility for other projects and duties as assigned by the Assistant General Counsel, other members of the Legal Team, or Company management.
• Travel Requirements: Limited travel, generally not expected to exceed 10% of the time. Occasional travel to Company facilities and meetings within North America to support employment-related matters, workplace investigations, manager training, and strategic projects.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• 3 – 5 years of employment law experience in a law firm, government agency, or corporate legal department.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and issue-spotting skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage assigned matters and appropriately identify issues requiring consultation or escalation.
• Strong organization and project-management skills.
• Ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice and communicate complex legal concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a dynamic, changing environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive, privileged, and attorney-client communications.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships with Human Resources, managers, and cross-functional business partners.
• Familiarity with federal and state employment laws, including the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, ADEA, FLSA, NLRA, and related state law requirements.
• Understanding of and adherence to applicable laws, codes, policies, regulations, and safety practices and procedures, as applicable.
• Must successfully establish employment eligibility and satisfactorily complete background checks and required pre-employment testing as a condition of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising and counseling Human Resources professionals, managers, and business leaders on employment law and employee relations matters.
• Experience supporting a multi-state employer and interpreting varying state and local employment law requirements.
• Experience conducting or supporting workplace investigations.
• Experience supporting employment litigation, administrative charges, or agency responses.
• Experience drafting policies, agreements, training materials, or employee communications.

General Applicable Company Competencies

• Commitment to Watts’ values of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement and innovation, and transparency.
• Punctuality and dependability.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work priorities and stressful conditions.
• Adherence to all personnel policies, procedures, and standards of process as implemented by Watts.
• Maintain productive and collaborative relationships with other Watts employees.
• Adherence to Watts’ seven cultural beliefs: Growth Mindset, Customer-Focused Innovation, Constant Communication, Clear Goals, Collaborate Globally, Be Inclusive, and Take Action.

Working Conditions

While performing the job duties, you will be working in an office environment. You will be required to work in the office at the North Andover, MA location three days per week (Monday – Wednesday) and can work remotely two days per week (Thursday and Friday).

Physical Requirements:

Specific physical abilities for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to remain seated at a desk or workstation for extended periods.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks like typing on a keyboard or using a mouse for extended periods.
• Ability to physically move around the office, organize or transport files, packages, or other office-related materials.
• Ability to read documents, use a computer, and perform data entry tasks.
• Ability to communicate clearly with management and coworkers, particularly in meetings or phone calls.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, phones, and copiers.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry light objects, such as office supplies, documents, or small equipment.

Pay Range

The expected salary range for this position is $142,000 - $166,000 annually. Actual compensation will be dependent upon individual skills, experience, qualifications, and applicable law.

Nothing in this job description restricts Watts’ right to assign or reassign duties, responsibilities, and working hours/conditions to this position at any time. This position is “at will,” which means that either the employee or Watts may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and for any lawful reason.

#LIHybrid

Watts in it for you:

Please note that the following benefits apply only to permanent roles and do not apply to internship roles.

• Competitive compensation based on your skills, qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits
• Family building benefits, including paid maternity/paternity leave
• 10 paid holidays and Paid Time Off
• Continued professional development opportunities and educational reimbursement
• Additional perks such as fitness reimbursements and employee discount programs
• Learn more about our benefit offerings here: https://tapintowattsbenefits.com/

How we work:

At Watts, our culture is team-oriented and supportive. Employees here genuinely care about the quality of their work, and about each other. Our people are the heart of who we are and contribute to our longevity and continued success.

And this is a place where you can have a big career. No matter your role, there are opportunities for learning and development, and your daily contributions make a meaningful impact on the lives of people who use our products and on the future of water.

Watts is committed to equal employment opportunity. We follow a policy of administering all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, military or veteran status, minorities, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the obligations of state and federal law, Watts will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Any employee who needs a reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources.