Role overview

Greenhouse, which provides hiring software, is seeking a Lead Employment Counsel to serve as the primary legal advisor for employment matters across the company. Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, you will be the dedicated employment lawyer supporting the People team and business leaders as they navigate the full employee lifecycle in the US and internationally.

Key responsibilities

Provide legal guidance to HR business partners, People Operations, Total Rewards, and Talent Acquisition on employee relations, performance management, terminations, reductions in force, leaves of absence, and accommodations.
Lead wage and hour compliance efforts, including FLSA and state exemption classification, timekeeping and overtime practices, payroll issues, and periodic classification audits.
Review and advise on compensation programs such as sales commissions and bonus plans, overpayment recoupment, pay equity analyses, and pay transparency requirements.
Draft, negotiate, and maintain employment documents and policies including offer letters, confidentiality agreements, restrictive covenants, separation agreements, contractor arrangements, and handbook supplements.
Conduct or oversee workplace investigations and manage employment litigation matters with outside counsel, from initial complaints through settlement and resolution.
Advise on employment law matters outside the US, including support for employer of record arrangements, entity launches, work-from-abroad requests, and relocations.
Build training programs and self-serve resources for managers, HR, and recruiters, and communicate legal updates to leadership.
Partner with Product, Privacy, and HR technology teams on the employment law implications of AI in hiring and employment decisions, vendor assessments, and data retention practices.

Requirements

JD from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing in at least one US state.
Seven or more years of labor and employment law experience in a law firm or in-house role.
Deep knowledge of US federal and multi-state employment law, with particular expertise in wage and hour matters.
Experience advising on employment matters outside the US, including work with employer of record providers and local counsel.
Demonstrated track record of managing employment litigation with outside counsel, including settlement strategy.
Experience owning employment policies, agreements, and compensation plan terms, and conducting or overseeing workplace investigations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide practical guidance to non-lawyers and executives, and strong organizational abilities to work independently as the subject matter expert.

What makes this role worth considering

As the sole employment law specialist, you will have significant autonomy and high ownership over your work, with the opportunity to build scalable solutions through policies, playbooks, and training rather than handling matters reactively. You’ll also have a unique voice in shaping how AI is reshaping employment law both within Greenhouse and for the company’s customers in the hiring software space.