Job Description
Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, diversity, and teamwork of an individual like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and teamwork. As part of our global team, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.
The position provides legal support and counseling to business partners on a broad range of employment and labor matters. The position requires strong interpersonal skills, excellent judgment, and a proven ability to deliver and influence timely, practical, and creative solutions that properly balance business considerations and legal risks, often amid ambiguous circumstances.
Responsibilities include:
- Provide day-to-day advice on a broad range of employment issues including recruiting, hiring, compensation, wage and hour, HR practices, performance management, leave management, investigations, terminations, restructurings, and labor relations.
- Handle and defend the company in employment and/or labor-related administrative proceedings, including the drafting of responses to the EEOC, NLRB, and other federal and state governmental agencies.
- Supervise and manage all aspects of employment-related litigation.
- Represent the Company in labor arbitrations, contract negotiations, and labor proceedings.
- Prepare severance agreements.
- Assist in the development, review, and revision of employment policies.
- Support our Company’s HR teams and compliance functions in audits and internal investigations.
- Provide training to HR and line management teams on employment-related issues.
- Work with and potentially train and supervise paralegal(s).
- Provide legal services, advice, and guidance that is consistent with law and Company policy, furthers business objectives, and appropriately balances divisional/function/corporate business objectives and legal risks.
- Exercise sound judgment to drive decisions on routine and non-routine matters within the area of practice.
- Some domestic travel required.
- Reports to Associate Vice President and Group Managing Counsel, our Manufacturing Division, Labor & Employment, Safety & Environment.
Qualifications
Commute/Location:
- This role is based at our Headquarters site in Rahway, NJ (USA), with a Hybrid setup (combination of an in-office & remote).
- This position cannot be 100% remote.
Education:
- Graduate of an accredited US law school, with admission to the Bar of New Jersey or another state.
Required:
- Five (5) or more years of employment experience in a law firm or corporate setting.
- Excellent teamwork, communication (written and oral), judgment, and analytical skills, and a high degree of business acumen.
- Experience in managing a significant workload, with the ability to handle and prioritize competing tasks in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
- Experience in counseling and influencing business leaders.
- Experience in employment counseling and handling employment disputes.
Preferred:
- Prior in-house legal experience.
- Experience handling labor issues, including labor disputes, labor arbitrations, and proceedings.
- Experience providing employment support on corporate/M&A transactions.
NOTICE FOR INTERNAL APPLICANTS
In accordance with Managers' Policy - Job Posting and Employee Placement, all employees subject to this policy are required to have a minimum of twelve (12) months of service in their current position prior to applying for open positions.
If you have been offered a separation benefits package, but have not yet reached your separation date and are offered a position within the salary and geographical parameters as set forth in the Summary Plan Description (SPD) of your separation package, then you are no longer eligible for your separation benefits package. To discuss in more detail, please contact your HRBP or Talent Acquisition Advisor.
Employees working in roles that the Company determines require routine collaboration with external stakeholders, such as customer-facing commercial, or research-based roles, will be expected to comply not only with Company policy but also with policies established by such external stakeholders.
Current Employees apply HERE
Current Contingent Workers apply HERE
US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:
Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
U.S. Hybrid Work Model
Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, generally Tuesday, Wednesday, and either Monday or Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business-critical tasks require an on-site presence. This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely.
The Company is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this job in certain states and cities within the United States. Final determinations with respect to salary will take into account a number of factors, which may include, but not be limited to the primary work location and the chosen candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and education.
Expected US salary range: $181,600.00 - $285,800.00
Available benefits include bonus eligibility, long-term incentive if applicable, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and sick days.
Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.
Employee Status: Regular
Relocation: Domestic
VISA Sponsorship: No
Travel Requirements: 10%
Flexible Work Arrangements: Hybrid
Shift: 1st - Day
Valid Driving License: No
Hazardous Material(s): N/A
Job Posting End Date: 10/7/2024
#J-18808-Ljbffr
