Assistant General Counsel, Labor and Employment

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Support labor relations activities.

• Advise on collective bargaining agreement interpretation and administration. Support bargaining preparation, labor-management discussions, and development of proposals in partnership with HR and business leaders.

Manage employee relations matters and investigations.

• Conduct or support workplace investigations involving misconduct, workplace complaints, and sensitive personnel matters.
• Assess legal risk, assist with findings, and recommend appropriate corrective action.

Handle grievances, administrative matters, and litigation support.

• Manage or assist with grievances, administrative charges, disciplinary appeals, and arbitration preparation. Coordinate with outside counsel on employment litigation and specialized matters as directed.

Provide legal advice and employment counseling.

• Advise Human Resources and business leaders on employment law matters, including performance management, discipline, accommodations, leaves of absence, wage and hour, and workplace disputes.
• Provide practical, risk-based guidance that supports compliant and effective employment practices.

Draft and review policies, agreements, and guidance.

• Draft, review, and revise employment-related policies, procedures, agreements, templates, and guidance documents.
• Monitor legal developments and recommend updates to practices or policies.

Develop and deliver training and education.

• Create and facilitate training on labor relations, investigations, discipline, accommodation, and workplace compliance. Educate managers and stakeholders on employment law requirements and emerging developments.

Support cross-functional initiatives and organizational objectives.

• Collaborate with HR, Employee Relations, Legal, and operational leaders to resolve workforce issues. Contribute to initiatives that strengthen employee relations, reduce legal risk, and advance strategic goals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal and state labor and employment laws, including collective bargaining, discrimination, leave administration, wage and hour, disability accommodation, and related workplace regulations.
• Knowledge of labor relations principles and collective bargaining agreement interpretation and administration.
• Skill in legal research, analysis, writing, drafting, and oral communication.
• Skill in providing practical, business-oriented legal advice that balances legal risk, operational objectives, and employee relations considerations.
• Ability to conduct investigations, gather and assess facts, evaluate risk, and provide clear recommendations with guidance as appropriate.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with human resources professionals, managers, operational leaders, legal colleagues, and outside counsel.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-site, collaborative environment.

Minimum Job Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor required.
• 5 years of relevant legal experience required, with a concentration in labor and employment law, preferably in a law firm or corporate legal department setting.
• Master’s degree, MBA, MHA, MPH or related degree preferred.
• Significant experience advising on labor relations, collective bargaining, contract administration, grievances, arbitrations, investigations, and employment law compliance preferred.

License/Certification/Registration Required: Current Massachusetts bar admission or admission in another jurisdiction with the ability to become licensed to practice in Massachusetts.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Patient Contact: None

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

EEO Poster

Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Why work here?

With a career at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, you play an important role in helping to fulfill our mission and ultimate goal: the eradication of cancer and related diseases. We are ranked as one of the nation's best midsize employers and offer exciting jobs and careers to match your skills, interests, and passions.