Senior Counsel, Employment Law

Simon & Schuster, LLC now operates as an independent company and is no longer associated with Paramount Global. Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster role will be employees of Simon & Schuster, LLC, subject to all policies and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof. We have updated our Workplace Privacy Notice to reflect this corporate change. If you have questions, please contact us here: privacyadministrator@simonandschuster.com

We're seeking a motivated, conscientious Senior Counsel, Employment Law to join the global employment function of the Simon & Schuster legal department.  The position will support a wide range of business clients while focusing on employment advice and litigation, employee training, and internal investigations.  

Responsibilities
•    Serve as a key legal advisor on employment law, employee relations matters, and policy interpretation.
•    Provide legal, strategic and business advice and support to the Law Department and Human Resources Department on day-to-day employee relations matters and compliance, including: recruiting, hiring, and compensation; employee discipline, performance management, terminations, and restructurings; anti-discrimination, harassment prevention, and non-retaliation; federal and state wage-hour compliance; leaves of absence and workplace accommodations; and internal investigations of potential violations of Company policy;
•    Evaluate and communicate legal risks associated with complaints, grievances, charges, and other legal matters.
•    Handle pre-litigation claims, settlement negotiations and mediations, and federal and state litigation, including management of outside counsel where support is needed.   
•    Work to minimize legal exposure by proactively reviewing existing practices, forms, contracts, and policies regarding employment matters, while considering business objectives and practicalities. 
•    Draft policies, procedures, and agreements (e.g., offer letters, confidentiality agreements, separation agreements, settlement agreements, and employment agreements), and prepare legal documents, memoranda, and other forms of communication regarding transactional or legal advice.
•    Develop training materials and provide training on employment law issues and employment-related policies and practices to Human Resources professionals and other employees.
•    Provide legal counsel to executives and senior/ middle management on changes in the law and complex legal issues that may have a significant impact on Company facilities and operations.

Qualifications
•    JD from an accredited law school  
•    At least 5-7 years of experience as an employment attorney including law firm experience and/or in house experience  
•    Must be a member of the New York Bar 
•    Broad and deep employment law knowledge including familiarity with litigation; ability to readily advise on the wide variety of employment law issues that arise in a complex, global corporate environment
•    Ability to identify and analyze complex issues and evaluate their broader implications for the business; interact with clients at all levels; provide timely, practical, legal advice and solutions; and communicate effectively in person and in writing

Additional Qualifications
•    Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and take ownership of issues and matters to their successful conclusion
•    Exemplary leadership and organization skills, including program and project management, prioritization, and time management
•    Preference to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
•    Ability and willingness to develop expertise in other topics to meet the needs of a dynamic business and Law Department
•    Attention to detail and the ability to manage a high-volume workload efficiently and smoothly.
•    In-house experience strongly preferred
•    Experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets preferred

Simon & Schuster has been named to Forbes magazine list of “America’s Best Mid-Size Employers 2022.”

Simon & Schuster is a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats. Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world’s most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honors and awards. It is home to numerous well-known imprints and divisions such as Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Pocket Books, Adams Media, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Simon & Schuster Audio and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom, and proudly brings the works of its authors to readers in more than 200 countries and territories. 
 
For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The annual salary for this position is $180,000.00 - $200,000.00 

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.  The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable,  as otherwise dictated by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement.   

https://www.paramount.com/careers/benefits

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access. https://www.paramount.com/careers as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 212.846.5500 or by sending an email to paramountaccommodations@paramount.com. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned.