Labor & Employment Corporate Counsel II

ALDI is one of the fastest-growing retailers in the nation, and we are charting an aggressive growth course with plans to add 800 new stores by 2028, increasing to nearly 3,200 locations nationwide. You can play a vital part by joining our Legal team.  Our Legal team is key to our strategic direction and the management of a wide range of legal matters impacting the business. As a member of this team, you'll support ALDI in achieving our company initiatives and upholding our core values.

In this role, the Corporate Counsel II – Labor & Employment will be responsible for anticipating and mitigating legal risk, counseling leadership, responding to administrative agency charges, researching and tracking updates to traditional labor and employment laws, and developing related Company policies. This role involves meaningful contact with executive leadership, opportunities for involvement in business development, and working alongside a collaborative team of experienced practitioners. This is a standout opportunity for an experienced employment lawyer with hands-on employer-side labor experience. The ideal candidate will have strong working knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) and experience with union-related matters, as well as broader experience advising and defending employers under federal and state employment laws.

Position Type: Full-Time
Starting Salary: $142,500
Salary Increases: Year 2 - $150,000 | Year 3 - $160,000 
Work Location: Naperville, IL
This role is eligible to participate in ALDI’s Hybrid Work Program, which requires work in-office at least 2 days per month.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Identifies legal issues independently and recommends responsive action, with an emphasis on risk mitigation.
• Engages with leadership, various business units, and external parties involved in the legal process.
• Evaluates and analyzes complex labor relations and employment law issues in multiple jurisdictions and nationwide and reports findings, as well as recommendations, to direct leader.
• Provides strategic counsel to assigned business units on a wide range of labor and employment matters, including recruitment and hiring, background checks, employment agreements, leaves of absence, reasonable accommodations, wage and hour, discipline and terminations, workplace violence, positive employee relations, and EEO and NLRA matters to ensure adherence to applicable law and best practices.
• Researches, monitors, and assesses the impact of emergent labor and employment law trends, new legislation, regulations, and court decisions on the business; identifies and communicates impactful updates to the relevant business units.
• Partners with the relevant internal stakeholders to create and implement workforce policies and strategies impacting employees.
• Assists in the development of and/or review of operating policies, practices, procedures, agreements, and training to ensure ongoing compliance, consistency, and risk mitigation.
• Manages demand letters, administrative charges, and NLRB filings within assigned area by developing strategy, drafting responses, position statements, and other work product, attending mediations, and overseeing settlement negotiations, as applicable.
• Manages outside counsel and relevant external consultants in defending complex labor and employment litigation, including reviewing and revising pleadings, developing strategy, facilitating the gathering of information, responding to discovery, and making recommendations at key stages in the legal process.
• Drafts legal memorandums, case assessments, and reports as requested to identify exposures and risks then reports findings to direct leader.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates labor and employment-related agreements.
• Prepares and analyzes data to identify exposures and risks.
• Provides proactive analysis of current projects and analytical review of reported results.
• Participates in the creation and implementation of company-wide special projects, including training and other impactful business initiatives.
• Recommends process improvements for area of responsibility.
• Communicates effectively and informs direct leader of issues, status, and results of assigned tasks.
• Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership.
• Complies with ALDI privacy and security requirements and policies if job responsibilities include possible access to confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job-specific Competencies:
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Consistently demonstrates the Mindsets, ALDI Acts Competencies and Professional Skills (M.A.P.) as outlined for the role.
• Gives attention to detail and follows instruction.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and customer service skills, including the ability to communicate with a wide variety of individuals and respond to inquiries in a timely, professional manner.
• Effective time management; maximizes productivity.
• Prepares written materials to meet purpose and audience.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external parties.
• Demonstrated skills in the areas of time management, interpersonal skills, relationship building, collaboration, presentation, and problem solving.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local employment laws and ability to assist in defending the company against employment and related litigation.
• Knowledge of how legal issues affect organizations and the ability to develop strategies to coordinate legal considerations to business objectives.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including creativity and ability to communicate information accurately and proficiently to non-lawyers.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to analyze and present complex data.
• Ability to anticipate legal risks as well as utilize excellent judgment and analytical skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply company policies and procedures.
• Ability to stay organized, multi-task, and prioritize in a professional and efficient manner while working under strict deadlines.
• Knowledge of retail industry standards and practices. 
• Negotiation skills. 
• Ability to plan and organize workflow and embrace new challenges. 
• Ability to apply creative solutions. 
• Leverages legal expertise and business acumen to support the company in achieving its objectives. 

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in traditional labor and employment law, in a law firm, corporate/in-house setting, or a combination of both.  
• J.D.  from an ABA accredited law school required. 
• Licensed to practice in Illinois (or immediate ability to become licensed) required.
• Knowledge of traditional labor and employment law required.

Physical Requirements:

• Work may be performed in an office, remote office or a combination of both where a computer and office equipment may be used as needed to perform duties.
• Regularly required to sit, reach, grasp, stand and move from one area to another.
• Constantly and repeatedly use keyboard/mouse.
• Occasionally required to push, pull, bend, lift and move up to 25 lbs. 

Travel:

• Domestic travel required.
• Up to 10%.

ALDI offers competitive wages and benefits, including:

• 401(k) Plan
• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• PerkSpot National Discount Program

In addition, eligible employees are offered:

• Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Generous Vacation Time & 7 Paid Holidays
• Up to 6 Weeks Paid Parental Leave at 100% of pay
• Up to 2 Weeks Paid Caregiver Leave at 100% of pay
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life, Dependent Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Term Life Insurance

ALDI is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected characteristic. Employment may be contingent upon ALDI's receipt of an acceptable and job-related drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.