This is where you save and sustain lives

At Baxter, we are deeply connected by our mission. No matter your role at Baxter, your work makes a positive impact on people around the world. You'll feel a sense of purpose throughout the organization, as we know our work improves outcomes for millions of patients.

Baxter's products and therapies are found in almost every hospital worldwide, in clinics and in the home. For over 85 years, we have pioneered significant medical innovations that transform healthcare.

Together, we create a place where we are happy, successful and inspire each other. This is where you can do your best work.

Join us at the intersection of saving and sustaining lives- where your purpose accelerates our mission.

As In-House Counsel, Labor & Employment, you will support and report to the Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment and will be responsible for providing proactive, strategic, and practical counseling and legal advice to key team members globally on a wide range of labor and employment law matters such as hiring and termination, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, wage and hour matters, employee benefits and executive compensation, collective bargaining agreement interpretation/implementation, collective bargaining agreement negotiations, arbitrations, employee health and safety, and employee relations investigations.

You will oversee members of the labor and employment team to ensure the business receives consistent advice, counsel, and support. You will also be responsible for leading outside counsel in litigation and other matters.

#Thisiswhere your expertise will make an impact!

What you'll be doing

• Understands the strategic and tactical objectives of Baxter's businesses and/or functions, and the associated legal implications.
• Assesses and formulates strategy to lead key legal issues pertinent to Baxter.
• Directly handles most legal matters within the assigned groups for Baxter.
• Participates in articulation of the Labor and Employment Law team's goals and supports strategies for operational management of the Legal Department.
• Participates as a strategic member of the business; finds opportunities and suggests/implements solutions for better practices regarding structure, systems and delivery of services.
• Establishes positive relationships with internal and external constituents; has principal responsibility for relationships with key outside legal firms.
• Accountable for keeping the Deputy General Counsels, Human Resources Leadership Team, and other members of the Legal Department advised of key labor and employment law matters.
• Builds a strong and cohesive cross-functional teams to achieve desired outcomes.
• Takes responsibility for team actions, efforts and outcomes.
• Works collaboratively with other pertinent members of the Legal Department to put together cross department teams to address complex issues.
• At least 8 to 10 years' experience in labor law and employment law, including employee benefits, executive compensation, US unions and collective bargaining.
• Proven experience of successfully working with the management team as a business partner contributing to the success of the business.
• Prior experience counseling business clients with respect to all major federal employment laws (e.g., Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, WARN) and state and local counterparts; preferably some experience with IL, CA, NC, AL, AR, IN, FL, NY and/or MS state and local employment laws.
• Experience defending and/or managing federal, state and local employment litigation and government administrative charges or claims throughout the US.
• Works with other pertinent members of the Legal Department to put together cross department teams to address complex issues.
  
  

What you'll bring

• JD or international equivalent from a nationally or internationally recognized institution. Minimum of eight years of demonstrated professional experience, including at least five years in a corporate environment with a high level of complexity. Experience in the medical device and/or pharmaceutical industries preferred.
• Experience of successfully working with senior management and executive teams as a business partner contributing to the success of the business.
• Significant prior experience counseling business clients with respect to all major federal employment laws (e.g., Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, WARN) and state and local counterparts; preferably some experience with IL, CA, NC, AL, AR, IN, FL, NY and/or MS state and local employment laws.
• Significant experience defending and/or leading federal, state and local employment litigation and government administrative charges or claims throughout the US.
• Prior experience developing and leading employment law training and drafting employment law policies, contracts and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Prior experience counseling on US labor relations matters and defending against unfair labor practice charges.
• Prior experience conducting and training other professionals on internal employee relations investigations.
• Prior experience with employee benefits (e.g., retirement, pension, health and welfare) administration and litigation.
• Prior experience with executive compensation, including drafting of executive agreements.
• Prior experience in advising federal contractors on affirmative action obligation and programs, as well as responding to compliance reviews by the OFCCP.
• Prior experience with M&A due diligence pertaining to employment matters both US and OUS.
• Ability to optimally develop key partnership with clients and other individuals.
• Proven ability to be a strategic partner to the Law Department's and Human Resources' leadership teams.
• Consistently and broadly recognized achievements in the areas of critical thinking, good judgment, the ability to view issues holistically, balancing benefit and risk to make decisions that are in the best interests of the business, and being a genuine teammate that willingly collaborates, mentors and can take on additional and multifaceted responsibilities as business needs dictate.
• Ability to function in a high paced legal environment and to proactively develop strategies to ensure efficient and effective counsel.
• Preferably, prior experience counseling clients in healthcare (medical products, biologics, and/or pharmaceutical) environment.

Baxter is committed to supporting the needs for flexibility in the workplace. We do so through our flexible workplace policy which includes a minimum of 3 days a week onsite. This policy provides the benefits of connecting and collaborating in-person in support of our Mission.

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. At Baxter, we are committed to equitable pay for all our employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices. The estimated base salary for this position is $224,000 - $336,000 USD annually. The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position. We may pay more or less than the anticipated range based upon market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience, and other relevant factors. This position may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and/or long-term incentive. For questions about this, our pay philosophy, and available benefits, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply and are selected for an interview.

#LI-DG2

The successful candidate for this job may be required to verify that he or she has been vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to reasonable accommodations for individuals with medical conditions or religious beliefs that prevent vaccination, and in accordance with applicable law.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Baxter is an equal opportunity employer. Baxter evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability/handicap status or any other legally protected characteristic.

EEO is the Law
EEO is the law - Poster Supplement
Pay Transparency Policy

Reasonable Accommodations

Baxter is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information.

Recruitment Fraud Notice

Baxter has discovered incidents of employment scams, where fraudulent parties pose as Baxter employees, recruiters, or other agents, and engage with online job seekers in an attempt to steal personal and/or financial information. To learn how you can protect yourself, review our Recruitment Fraud Notice.