Apply on Employer Site

City of New York · 1 day ago

General Counsel

Manhattan, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$225K/yr - $262K/yr

4+ years exp

The City of New York Office of Labor Relations is responsible for managing labor relations and administering benefit programs for a large workforce. The General Counsel will lead the Legal Division and serve as the principal legal advisor on labor relations matters, overseeing legal teams and providing strategic guidance on healthcare and employee benefit policies.

GovernmentLegalPublic Relations

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the overall operations of the Legal Division, including attorneys, grievance review officers, and professional and administrative support staff

Supervise the Deputy General Counsel and litigation teams handling arbitration proceedings, improper practice cases, interest arbitrations, and matters before the Office of Collective Bargaining, Public Employment Relations Board, and the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings

Oversee the Deputy General Counsel for Employee Benefits and legal team responsible for all matters related to OLR-administered benefit programs, including the City Health Benefits Program, Deferred Compensation Plan, and Management Benefits Fund

Supervise the Chief Review Officer and Step III grievance staff responsible for processing, conducting hearings, and issuing determinations in citywide grievance matters

Advise the Administration Division on legal issues involving human resources, employee discipline, facilities, procurement, EEO and other internal operational matters

Serve as legal counsel during collective bargaining negotiations and draft and review collective bargaining agreements

Provide strategic legal guidance on healthcare strategy and related initiatives and related employee benefit policy issues

Serve as the Commissioner’s chief legal representative to external agencies and officials, including City Hall, City agencies, and oversight bodies; and coordinate closely with the Office of the Corporation Counsel and outside labor and health counsel on matters within OLR’s purview

Qualification

Labor relationsEmployment lawLegal team managementCollective bargainingExecutive communicationOrganizational leadershipJudgmentStrategic guidance

Required

A license to practice law in the State of New York

Four years of satisfactory full-time relevant experience subsequent to admission to the bar

Preferred

Five to ten years of progressively responsible experience in labor relations, employment law, and/or employee relations, preferably in the public sector or a highly regulated environment

Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary legal teams in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment

Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership and translating complex legal analysis into clear, actionable recommendations that balance legal risk, operational needs, and policy objectives

Strong judgment and the ability to manage multiple priorities, navigate competing interests, and meet demanding deadlines

Exceptional executive-level communication skills, including the ability to brief leadership on legal risk, strategic options, and defensible paths forward

Strong organizational leadership skills, with the ability to set standards, build consensus, and foster collaboration across diverse professional functions