Associate General Counsel

Job Summary:

The Associate General Counsel – Labor & Employment is responsible for providing strategic legal advice and counsel to Care New England and its affiliated entities on a wide range of labor, employment, and workforce-related matters.

Working under the supervision of the General Counsel, this role requires the ability to work independently with minimal oversight while collaborating effectively with senior leadership, Human Resources, and operational stakeholders. The Associate General Counsel will serve as the primary legal resource for labor and employment issues affecting Care New England, including collective bargaining, union relations, employment litigation, workplace investigations, employee relations, compensation and benefits, employment matters, and compliance with federal and state labor and employment laws.

The role is expected to provide both day-to-day legal guidance and strategic counsel on workforce initiatives, risk management, and organizational change and to support the development of a more consistent, disciplined, and strategically aligned labor relations function across Care New England.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provides legal advice and counsel on all aspects of labor and employment law, including compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations governing wages and hours, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave and accommodation, and workplace safety.

2. Partners with the General Counsel, Human Resources, and executive leadership to support the development and implementation of a system-wide labor relations and negotiations strategy that supports consistent labor relations and negotiations practices across the system.

3. Serves as lead in-house counsel on labor relations matters, including collective bargaining negotiations, grievance and arbitration proceedings, unfair labor practice charges, and union organizing issues and provides strategic legal guidance on bargaining posture and escalation.

4. Advises Human Resources and management on employee relations matters, including disciplinary actions, performance management, reductions in force, and workforce restructuring.

5. Manages and oversees employment-related litigation and administrative proceedings, including matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, coordinating with outside counsel as appropriate.

6. Conducts or oversees internal workplace investigations involving allegations of misconduct, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, labor-management disputes, and advises on corrective actions and risk mitigation.

7. Drafts, reviews, and negotiates employment-related agreements, including employment contracts and separation agreements.

8. Drafts, reviews, and updates employment policies, handbooks, and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and best practices.

9. Partners with Human Resources to support training initiatives related to labor and employment compliance, workplace conduct, and management best practices.

10. Monitors legal and regulatory developments in labor and employment law as well as relevant political and external developments impacting labor relations, and proactively advises on their impact to Care New England and its affiliates.

11. Supports enterprise risk management initiatives related to workforce issues.

12. Develops and delivers education on labor and employment matters.

13. Manages and directs services of outside counsel and other advisors involved in labor and employment matters, including providing direction, oversight, and evaluation of outside labor counsel in connection with negotiations and disputes.

14. Performs other duties as assigned by General Counsel.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience as a practicing attorney in a mid-to-large law firm or in-house legal department, with substantial experience in labor and employment law in a healthcare environment.
• Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school and outstanding academic credentials.
• Licensed to practice law in at least one state and in good standing in all states where admitted. Member of Rhode Island bar or eligible for admission within one year. Potential to waive this requirement for appropriate candidate if eligible for limited in-house registration in Rhode Island.
• Essential Skills and Abilities:
• Demonstrated experience advising senior leadership on labor relations, employment litigation, and workforce strategy.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to provide practical, business-oriented legal advice.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Demonstrates ability to manage multiple tasks and initiatives; ability to prioritize and to provide comprehensive legal advice without the need for close supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small legal department.

Additional Information:

Care New England Health System (CNE) and its member institutions, Butler Hospital, Women & Infants Hospital, Kent Hospital, VNA of Care New England, Integra, The Providence Center, and Care New England Medical Group, and our Wellness Center, are trusted organizations fueling the latest advances in medical research, attracting top specialty-trained doctors, and honing renowned services and innovative programs to engage in the important discussions people need to have about their health.

EEOC Statement: Care New England is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Ethics Statement: Employee conducts himself/herself consistent with the ethical standards of the organization including, but not limited to hospital policy, mission, vision, and values.

Americans with Disability Act Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job-specific functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, to be determined by the organization on a case-by-case basis