Responsibilities:
The Senior Counsel - Labour & Employment (EMEA & APAC) will serve as a trusted advisor to HR and business leadership, leading labour and employment legal strategy across a complex, multi-jurisdictional environment. This role will own the delivery of pragmatic, commercially focused legal guidance across the full employee lifecycle-from hiring through separation-supporting Sazerac's continued growth across key international markets including the UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, and Australia. Operating at the intersection of business expansion, workforce strategy, and regulatory compliance, this individual will play a critical role in enabling scalable, compliant employment practices while effectively managing legal risk across EMEA and APAC.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead labour and employment legal strategy across EMEA & APAC, advising on complex, multi-jurisdictional issues and aligning regional practices with global business objectives.
* Act as a key advisor to HR leadership on workforce planning, organizational design, restructures, and reductions in force, including managing legal risk and execution requirements.
* Provide expert guidance on employee relations matters, including performance management, disciplinary actions, terminations, and sensitive workplace investigations.
* Oversee employment-related litigation and disputes, partnering with external counsel across multiple jurisdictions to drive effective outcomes.
* Advise on employment contracts, policies, and compliance frameworks, ensuring alignment with local legal requirements and global standards.
* Support global HR initiatives, including immigration/visa considerations, mobility, and benefits structures, with a focus on risk mitigation and operational feasibility.
* Develop and implement scalable employment policies, templates, and playbooks to drive consistency and efficiency across regions.
* Design and deliver training to HR and business leaders to proactively mitigate employment risk and enable confident decision-making.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications
* Qualified lawyer in England & Wales (or equivalent common law jurisdiction).
* Minimum 7+ years of labour & employment experience, including significant in-house experience within a multinational organization.
* Strong commercial judgment with the ability to balance legal risk and business priorities in fast-paced environments.
* Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and partner effectively with HR leadership.
* Deep experience advising HR teams across EMEA and APAC jurisdictions, including navigating diverse and complex legal frameworks.
* Demonstrated experience managing cross-border employment matters, including restructures, terminations, and regulatory risk.
* Experience overseeing employment litigation and working with external counsel internationally.
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