Director, Employment Law

Director, Employment Law Remote - Compensation: $170,000-$200,000 + Bonus Job Summary: LaserAway is the nation’s leader in aesthetic dermatology, and we are seeking a dynamic and driven attorney to help lead our employment law function company-wide. As Director, Employment Law, you will direct the company's employment litigation strategy and be the core advisor on the issues that matter most in a multi-state workforce. Partnering with Benefits, HR, Payroll, and business units, you will counsel HR leaders, help run proactive audits, and lead the HR compliance function through one direct report (Senior Manager, HR Compliance). This is a hands-on leadership role. The position is remote (U.S.-based); deep California employment law expertise is required. Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities: Litigation & Outside Counsel Management Manage outside counsel across the employment litigation portfolio—wage-and-hour class and PAGA actions, single-plaintiff claims, and arbitrations—setting strategy, controlling scope and budget, and driving matters to efficient resolution. Oversee the company's response to EEOC and state civil-rights agency charges, reviewing and approving position statements and information requests. Direct the workers' compensation litigation portfolio in coordination with Risk Management and Benefits. Select and evaluate outside firms; manage legal spend and billing guidelines; and escalate key matters and exposure to the General Counsel. Oversee internal investigations and translate litigation trends into risk-prevention priorities. Benefits, Leave of Absence (LOA) & ADA/FEHA Accommodations Advise the Benefits and Leave Administration teams on complex, multi-jurisdictional leaves (FMLA, comparable state and local leave programs, and workers' compensation leaves). Establish best practices and legal guardrails for the ADA/FEHA interactive process, counseling on complex accommodations for clinical and corporate staff. Drive coordination across leaves, disability/ADA, and workers' compensation—return-to-work plans, light-duty assignments, fitness-for-duty evaluations, and defensible leave-exhaustion protocols. Partner with Benefits to standardize LOA documentation, medical certification templates, and employee communications that maintain compliance. Proactive Wage & Hour Processes Lead internal wage-and-hour audits and serve as lead counsel for federal or state wage-and-hour inquiries or investigations. Partner with HR Operations, Payroll, and IT to maintain compliance in time-tracking systems, pay statements, and payroll calculations. Maintain defensible worker classification (exempt vs. non-exempt; contractor vs. employee) under federal and California standards for clinical and non-clinical roles. Serve as subject-matter expert on pay calculations—overtime, double time, and premiums when employees earn commissions, bonuses, or multiple pay rates. Counsel Finance and HR on the legal design of incentive and bonus plans. Legislative Tracking, Policy Strategy & Team Leadership Track and analyze federal, state, and local employment law developments. Translate regulatory change into policy; direct the Senior Manager, HR Compliance in maintaining handbooks, state addendums, and compliance SOPs. Counsel HR Business Partners and Operations in real time on high-risk terminations, performance management, severance, restrictive covenants, and escalated leave/accommodation matters. Manage and develop your direct report, including oversight of the employee hotline. Oversee workplace safety compliance and advise on labor relations strategy. Minimum Qualifications: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school; active bar admission in good standing. 8–12+ years of labor and employment law experience, combining strong law firm training with in-house legal leadership—ideally in a multi-unit retail, healthcare, hospitality, or aesthetic environment. Deep, hands-on command of California employment law with multi-state fluency across a national footprint. Subject-matter expertise across leave and disability accommodation, wage-and-hour compliance, worker classification, and technical pay calculations. Sound, business-oriented judgment and a proven ability to advise senior stakeholders on high-stakes employment decisions. Proven people-leadership experience developing legal, HR, or compliance talent. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion. Technical familiarity with HRIS/Payroll systems (e.g., ADP, Workday, UKG) and leave-management software platforms. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Remote, U.S.-based, with limited travel as needed for investigations, hearings, agency proceedings, or company meetings. Compensation & Benefits Base salary range: $170,000 – $200,000 per year, plus an annual bonus in addition to base salary. This range reflects the geographic breadth of a U.S. remote role; actual base pay offered will depend on job-related factors such as experience, skills, and the market in which the successful candidate is located. Additional benefits include, but are not limited to, medical benefits, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and generous employee discounts. Disclaimer: This job description is not all inclusive. In addition, LaserAway reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. LaserAway is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.