Associate Director - Legal Counsel Employment Law

The Employment Counsel (India & APAC) will provide comprehensive legal advice, guidance and strategic input on all matters related to India & Asia Pacific (India, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore & Australia) employment law and employee relations. The Employment Counsel (India & APAC) will work closely with the global Employment Law team and other key stakeholders across Legal, Regulation, Tax, Compliance, Human Capital, and the wider firm. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Your responsibilities will include: Serves as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor on India employment law and employee relations matters. Able to advise independently on all but the most complex India matters. Co-ordinates with external counsel and Counsel, Employment Law (EMEA & AIPAC) to advise on non-India APAC employment law and employee relations matters, escalating matters appropriately. Types of work covered include: o Advising on complex hires, internal transfers, office expansions, restrictive covenants, terminations, pay equity and expanding opportunity issues. o Managing employee relations issues and internal investigations (i.e., discrimination / harassment / retaliation). o Advising Human Capital on performance management (i.e., performance improvement plans), probation reviews, and disciplinary issues. o Maintaining knowledge of regulations, laws, industry trends and practices that may affect firm; tracking new developments, assessing and evaluating risk and advising accordingly to ensure compliance o Advising on employment law aspects of mergers and acquisitions o Managing employment-related arbitration, litigation, mediation whenever required o Familiarity with industry compensation practices Additional EMEA & AIPAC aspect to role include: o Taking ownership of developing and updating EMEA & AIPAC templates used by Human Capital (i.e., offer letters, separation agreements, promotion letters, etc.) o Working on EMEA & AIPAC workplace-related training requirements and partnering with Human Capital on training design. o Maintaining, updating and drafting Employee Handbooks and other employee policies. o Managing and maintaining employee relations case management tracker and system. Qualifications & Experience Law degree and qualified solicitor Indicative guide of 10+ years of relevant experience at a top-tier law firm or in-house at a global financial services firm (although equivalent experience will be considered) Extensive understanding and experience of employment law across India and, preferably, the Asia Pacific region generally Thrives in a fast-paced, rigorous work environment ; effectively prioritizes and meets deadlines Thinks critically and proposes business-oriented solutions that combine excellent judgement, creativity, risk-taking and technical expertise Fluency and familiarity with complex compensation arrangements, including incentive compensation. Influences and impacts decision-making through strong business acumen and negotiation skills Superior collaboration and interpersonal skills; builds and maintains strong relationships/credibility with relevant internal stakeholders Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral; ability to distill complex concepts into discernable terms Ability to work collaboratively, in partnership with Employment Law team and Human Capital Adept at managing external counsel to ensure that they produce high quality work product and meet deadlines/budgets Highly motivated and proactive; proven work ethic Possesses professional integrity and the discretion, tact and ability to maintain confidentiality