Why Join Guardian Life?

Guardian Life is a premier mutual insurance company with a rich history of protecting American families and businesses for over 160 years. As a leader in the insurance industry, we prioritize innovation, employee well-being, and strategic growth. Joining our Law Department as Associate General Counsel, Head of Employment Law in New York means becoming part of an Executive Leadership Team that drives Guardian's purpose, priorities, and values. We offer a collaborative culture, cutting-edge resources, and the chance to shape employment law strategies for a Fortune 500 enterprise. At Guardian, you'll partner as a trusted advocate, advancing solutions that support our mission to safeguard financial security for millions.

Role Description

The Associate General Counsel, Head of Employment Law reports directly to the Chief Legal Officer and serves as the enterprise-wide lead counsel on all labor and employment matters. You will act as a trusted advisor to the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), providing expert guidance on employment strategies, practices, and a broad spectrum of legal issues. As a key member of the Law Department’s Executive Leadership Team, alongside peer Practice Area leaders, you will help steer the department's direction. Your proactive leadership will promote our mission to partner as trusted advocates, driving strategic solutions that advance Guardian’s purpose, priorities, and values in a dynamic insurance and financial services landscape.

Detailed Responsibilities

In this pivotal role, you will:

• Advise and counsel Executive stakeholders across the Guardian enterprise on strategic organizational and employment matters.
• Provide expert guidance to Human Resources partners on day-to-day employment issues, including hiring, terminations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, wage and hour compliance, restrictive covenants, conflicts of interest, independent contractor classifications, statutory employee issues, and employee investigations.
• Manage internal investigations and represent the company at administrative agencies such as EEOC, DOL, and state/local equivalents; prepare position statements and oversee outside counsel.
• Offer legal advice on employee benefits and ERISA compliance matters.
• Collaborate with litigation team on employment and labor disputes, reviewing pleadings, developing strategies, gathering documents and conducting interviews, and recommending actions at critical stages.
• Provide counsel in ethics investigations and potentially lead high-level or sensitive probes.
• Review, interpret, and draft company policies and procedures; oversee drafting of employee benefit plans by specialized counsel.
• Develop and deliver internal training on employment law topics.
• Support company acquisitions in employment law areas of expertise.
• Build professional relationships with internal/external stakeholders and manage outside counsel engagements.
• Lead and manage a team of senior employment attorneys, fostering a culture of high performance and collaboration.

Required Skills

Guardian seeks a leader with:

• Demonstrated business-focused legal advice and relationship-building with CHRO and stakeholders.
• Experience cultivating high-performance team cultures and cross-departmental trust.
• Superior communication and presentation skills for Executive Management and Board levels.
• Proactive horizon scanning to mitigate legal risks and handle complex issues.
• Commitment to innovation and Law Department modernization.

Education & Experience

Critical Qualifications:

• JD degree from an accredited law school; preferred admission to NYS Bar or eligibility under its in-house counsel program.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant labor/employment law experience in a large law firm or in-house legal department.
• Familiarity with laws governing qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans (preferred).
• Strong oral/written communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional collaboration, self-direction, and judgment.

Critical Competencies: Drives Results (achieves excellence under pressure), Collaborates (builds trusted partnerships), Instills Trust (earns confidence through honesty and integrity), in line with our success factors: Acting with accountability, Leading with the consumer at the center, Committing to collaborate, Communicating transparently, and Connecting with empathy and compassion.

Compensation Overview

Salary not disclosed. Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, plus performance-based incentives.

Benefits

Guardian Life offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision insurance; 401(k) with company match; generous PTO; professional development; wellness programs; and hybrid work flexibility in our state-of-the-art New York office. Join us to advance your career while making a meaningful impact.