Senior Counsel - Employment

Job Description

As a Senior Counsel - Employment, you will provide strategic legal guidance on complex matters that may include high-value transactions, litigation, regulatory compliance, and corporate initiatives with significant financial impact. You’ll bring deep expertise in employment law (including benefits & compensation), partnering closely with senior leadership, company officers and subsidiaries to support business objectives. This role is a key leadership position within the Legal Department, offering the opportunity to influence major decisions and drive legal excellence across the organization.

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What You’ll Do

• Provide day-to-day employment law counseling on matters such as hiring, performance management, employee discipline, terminations, accommodations, leaves of absence, wage and hour compliance, workplace investigations, employee relations, and state specific employment law mandates.

• Ensures compliance with federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ADEA, and state‑specific requirements.

• Drafts, reviews, and updates employment‑related policies, handbooks, and procedures.

• Advises and counsels Company Officers and senior management on diverse issues of laws that arise in the Company’s business operations, specifically employment law; researches and prepares legal memoranda and opinions applying technical legal knowledge to varying business situations and personnel issues; assists Company management with risk identification and management.

• Supervises federal or state litigation when the Company or one of its subsidiaries is a party in interest. Oversees employment‑related litigation and EEOC charges.

• Responds to administrative complaints and information requests and represents the Company in such matters. 

• Negotiates resolutions of employment disputes, severance agreements, and settlement agreements.

• Assists the Company and its subsidiaries with business transactions, corporate governance, and the development of new products, services, and business relationships. 

• Provides employment‑law support for corporate transactions, including due diligence, integration planning, and workforce‑related risk assessments.

• Confers and negotiates with attorneys and management in other companies. 

• Attends high-level conferences involving BCBSNC management and management in other companies or senior government positions.

• Provides training to internal clients and Company leadership on timely and relevant legal issues. 

• Represents the Company before federal and state regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the Company. 

• Assists the Company and its subsidiaries with assuring compliance with laws and regulations governing its business, including preparation and timely submission of mandated regulatory filings.

• Selects and oversees outside counsel representing the Company and its subsidiaries.

• Researches, interprets, and advises on statutory and case law, administrative rules, and regulations.  Monitors legislative and regulatory proposals, evaluates such proposals, and assists Company management with formulating the Company’s position of these matters.

• Leads practice area team (e.g., litigation, network management, government programs); informally coaches and mentors Legal Department team members.

• Participates in development of, interprets, and improves Company policies.  Assists the Company with implementing existing and new programs, policies, and procedures.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school

• 8+ years of relevant legal experience

• Licensed to practice law in North Carolina or must obtain License within 1 year of employment.

Bonus Points

• Strong business acumen with the ability to align legal strategy with organizational goals

• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts clearly and concisely

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

What You’ll Get

• The opportunity to work at the cutting edge of health care delivery with a team that’s deeply invested in the community .

• Work-life balance, flexibility, and the autonomy to do great work   

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage along with numerous health and wellness programs  .

• Parental leave and support plus adoption and surrogacy assistance   

• Career development programs and tuition reimbursement for continued education  

• 401k match including an annual company contribution   

• Learn more   

Where You’ll Work 

Our Hybrid Flex approach is built on presence with a purpose – giving you flexibility to work remotely with intentional in-person connection – that supports a workplace that’s flexible, connected, and future focused. 

In a Hybrid-Flex role, you’ll work in the office at least two days a week for collaboration and connection. In a Remote Flex role, you’ll work virtually, with a few in-office visits each year for meaningful moments that matter. 

Whether your role is Hybrid Flex or Remote Flex depends on the nature of the work and distance from our Durham headquarters. We welcome candidates from outside the local area and in any states listed on this job posting. Onsite expectations will be discussed during the interview process. 

Salary Range

At Blue Cross NC, we take great pride in a fair and equitable compensation package that reflects market-price and our starting salaries are typically planned near the middle of the range listed. Compensation decisions are driven by factors including experience and training, specialized skill sets,  licensure and certifications and other business and organizational needs. Our base salary is part of a robust Total Rewards package that includes an Annual Incentive Bonus*, 401(k) with employer match, Paid Time Off (PTO), and competitive health benefits and wellness programs. 

*Based on annual corporate goal achievement and individual performance.
 

$191,153.00 - $305,845.00

Skills

Affordable Care Act (ACA), Business Law, Business Litigation, ERISA Fiduciary, Labor and Employment Law, Law, Law Office Administration, Legal Compliance, Legal Documents, Legal Experience, Legal Interpretation, Legal Issues, Legal Practices, Legal Regulatory Compliance, Legal Services Management, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Filings, Statutory Law

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