GFT · 12 hours ago
Employment Counsel
Phoenix, AZ
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level
$135K/yr - $190K/yr
6+ years expGFT is a privately held AEC firm seeking an experienced Employment Counsel to provide strategic legal guidance on employment-related matters. The role involves partnering with HR, advising on compliance, employee relations, and managing employment litigation while supporting the broader legal department.
ConsultingEnergyEnvironmental ConsultingFacilities Support ServicesFacility ManagementInfrastructureTransportationWater
Responsibilities
Research and interpret employment, labor, and human rights laws across the firm’s geographic footprint
Develop and update company policies, handbooks, and practices to ensure compliance with applicable laws and evolving regulatory requirements
Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting the company’s workforce
Provide day-to-day legal advice to HR and managers on employee relations issues, including discipline, performance management, accommodations, and terminations
Support HR with workforce planning, organizational changes, and employee communications, including severance agreements and releases
Partner with HR to support and advise on employee complaints (harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace misconduct), with HR retaining primary responsibility for these processes prior to initiation of an EEOC claim or lawsuit
Partner with HR to develop and deliver training programs for HR, managers, and leadership on employment law topics and best practices
Manage responses to administrative charges (EEOC, state agencies, and Ontario Human Rights Tribunal), including drafting and coordinating position statements
Oversee and coordinate employment litigation, working with outside counsel as needed
Coordinate litigation holds and information gathering in partnership with HR and business leaders
Draft, review, and negotiate executive employment agreements, severance packages, and restrictive covenant agreements
Provide guidance and enforce restrictive covenant obligations, including non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements
Advise on standard contract templates for talent acquisition agreements (retained search firms, staff augmentation agencies, direct hire referral agreements)
Manage and review employment-related NDAs, intellectual property agreements, and post-employment obligations related to data access and confidentiality
Advise and contribute to policy development on privacy of employee data
Review and advise on use of independent contractor agreements to avoid misclassification
Advise on prevailing wage and similar requirements applicable to company projects
Provide guidance on workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation issues
Assist the CLO/Ethics Officer and Compliance Specialist with business ethics and compliance oversight, investigations, expense reviews, and policy improvements that align with employee policies
Collaborate with the Legal team on broader corporate matters, including project-related contract review, commercial agreements, and compliance initiatives
Provide general corporate support as needed; approximately 25–30% of this role may involve non-employment-related legal work, including project and vendor contract reviews, and corporate compliance
Qualification
Required
J.D. and admission to practice in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
6–10 years of employment law experience, preferably a mix of law firm and in-house roles
Strong knowledge of U.S. federal and multi-state employment laws
Demonstrated experience handling employee relations, workplace investigations, agency charges, and employment litigation
Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with ability to provide practical, business-oriented advice
Comfort flexing into general corporate and contract review work
Preferred
Familiarity with Canadian (Ontario) employment law and cross border working arrangements highly desirable
Experience in the AEC or professional services industry a plus
Company
GFT
GFT provides planning, design, technology, and construction management services.
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
OceanSound Partners
2023-03-08Acquired
2023-03-07Debt Financing
2023-01-09Private Equity
Leadership Team
Art Barrett
Senior Vice President
John Derr
Executive Vice President - Transportation Advisor
Company data provided by crunchbase