Employment Law Counsel

This role is Boston based, in office 4 days per week

Wayfair’s Legal Team is looking for an employment lawyer to join the team to help support the company’s efforts in the areas of advice and counsel, compliance, charges and litigation and in-house training and development. 

As an influential and integral member of Wayfair’s employment law team, you will be tasked with: partnering with our Operations/HR/Talent/other business partners for advice as needed; tracking and ensuring compliance with new federal / state / local law;  identifying trends to drive the development of timely training to keep our internal partners abreast of the everchanging labor and employment law landscape; and managing administrative charges and litigation. We are looking for an experienced advisor, preferably with demonstrated employment compliance and litigation experience, who is comfortable independently advising HR and business partners in a wide range of employment matters. The ideal candidate will proactively balance risk with practical and business-oriented solutions to support a dynamic organization.  This role is based in our Boston office with four days a week in office.

What You'll Do

• Collaborate with members of the Talent/HR Team with respect to advice and counseling on employment-related matters;
• Advise the Employee Resources Center (leaves & accommodations) as needed;
• Participate in the creation and delivery of labor and employment-related trainings and updates;
• Coordinate and manage employment law-related special projects (e.g., internal process reviews and policy updates);
• Manage employment administrative charges and litigation;
• Ensure compliance with state and local laws and regulations, including EEO and wage and hour laws and requirements;
• Work cross-functionally and hand-in-hand with members of the Talent/HR and Operations Teams to develop relationships and gain a keen understanding of what’s happening in the business;
• Assist as needed with tasks pertaining to the Company’s Independent Workforce Program; 
• Identify, review, analyze and mitigate litigation and regulatory risks.;
• Demonstrated ability to issue spot legal issues and a strong sense of when to escalate (and not escalate) those matters to partners and stakeholders;
• Effectively communicate complex legal principles to business stakeholders and partners by crafting succinct and practical advice that helps further the company’s business objectives and mitigate risk;
• Take on ad hoc projects aimed at improving efficiency, eliminating redundancy and mitigating risk; and
• Develop deep expertise in our business, industry and communities in order to anticipate and address risks to the company.

Description of ideal candidate:

• J.D. degree and membership in at least one U.S. state bar;
• At least 3+ years of experience practicing employment law;
• Experience advising internal partners and/or clients on employment law-related issues, including with respect to EEO and wage and hour compliance;
• Experience independently managing a robust pre-litigation and litigation matters, including class actions;
• Business-savvy, creative approach to problem-solving; capable of devising legal solutions in novel and pragmatic ways.
• Ability to efficiently handle and organize multiple projects at a time in a fast-paced and innovative environment, to make quick but informed decisions and to persuasively advocate for a position.
• Willingness to utilize systems, tools and technology to solve or prevent problems.
• Excellent analytical, writing, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to roll up your sleeves, get into the legal nitty gritty, and tackle legal problems of all sizes.
• Strong organizational skills & attention to detail;
• Act with a high degree of integrity, professionalism and maintain confidentiality; 
• Ability to build productive relationships and partner with employees at all levels of the organization; 
• Ability to travel as needed 5-10% of time; and
• Role based in Boston with four days required in office

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an in-house employment law role;
• Massachusetts and/or California bar membership;
• Significant U.S. employment law experience; and
• Experience working in the technology, retail, and/or e-commerce industries.

Total compensation includes base salary + RSU in the range of $213,500 - $246,500