Associate General Counsel - Labor and Employment

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Associate General Counsel - Labor and Employment

Job Profile Title

Associate General Counsel

Job Description Summary

The Office of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel at the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine seeks a full-time Labor and Employment attorney to provide sophisticated legal expertise in advising and representing the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Medicine in all aspects of labor and employment-related matters and activities.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Employment Counseling & Compliance

• Provide practical, risk-based guidance on compliance with federal, state and local employment laws, including wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, leave entitlements, and workplace accommodations.
• Analyze and advise on the intersection of employment laws and collective bargaining obligations, ensuring alignment between policies, CBAs, and statutory requirements.
• Stay abreast of legal and compliance issues that may affect higher education and/or academic medical centers from a labor and/or employment perspective and partner with internal stakeholders to appropriately address such issues.

Employment Actions & Investigations

• Counsel HR and management on discipline, performance management, investigations, and employee separations, including just‑cause standards and contractual procedures where applicable.
• Advise on restructurings, reductions in force, and operational changes, including bargaining obligations and union notice requirements.

Litigation & Administrative Proceedings

• Represent or manage employment and labor matters before agencies such EEOC, PHRC, PCHR, DOL, OSHA, NLRB, NJ DCR and state and federal courts.
• Oversee responses to administrative charges, subpoenas, and agency investigations involving both labor and employment claims.

Labor Relations & Union Environment

• Serve as a legal advisor on labor relations in a unionized setting, including collective bargaining strategy, contract interpretation, and labor‑management relations.
• Advise management on compliance with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and applicable state labor laws
• Draft, review, and interpret collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), memoranda of understanding, side letters, and labor‑related policies.
• Advise management on CBA interpretation, including with respect to grievances.
• Support management during collective bargaining negotiations, including preparation of proposals, analysis of counterproposals, and risk assessment, as well as during CBA implementation.
• Represent management in or oversee arbitrations and unfair labor practice matters, including preparation of cases and/or coordination with outside counsel as needed.
• Counsel on union organizing activity, protected concerted activity, strikes, work stoppages, and other labor disputes.

Policies, Training & Strategic Support

• Draft and update employment policies, labor‑related procedures, and management guidance applicable to unionized and non‑unionized employees.
• Develop and deliver training for leadership, clinicians, managers, and HR personnel on labor relations, contract administration, and employment law compliance.
• Partner with leadership to proactively identify labor and employment risks and develop strategic solutions.
• Provide on-call attorney advice periodically to Penn Medicine clients.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from a recognized college or university; graduation from an ABA accredited law school with a J.D. degree. Professional Experience: Minimum 5 years’ professional experience as a practicing labor and employment attorney with experience in unionized environments required.
• Bar Qualifications: Must be admitted and in good standing in Pennsylvania and New Jersey state bars; admission to Pennsylvania bar required within one (1) year of appointment.
• Other Requirements: The position requires:
  • Demonstrated excellence in legal research, analysis and reasoning and drafting, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear, practical advice.
  • Impeccable oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively present to and advise various audiences in all areas and at all levels including senior leadership, and to tailor communications appropriately.
  • Ability to identify, frame, and resolve complex and sensitive legal and operational issues, using sound judgement, creativity and discretion.
  • Ability to interact and function effectively in both a higher education environment, as well as in an academic medical center setting.
  • Demonstrated experience with collective bargaining, grievances, arbitrations, and NLRA compliance.
  • Strong legal writing, negotiation, and advisory skills, with a practical, solutions-oriented approach.
  • Ability to manage sensitive matters with sound judgment and discretion.
  • Experience working directly with executive leadership and senior HR professionals, preferred.
  • Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with high emotional intelligence and the ability to build credibility quickly across many different stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated capacity to manage a high volume of complex work in a fast-paced environment, including the ability to prioritize, balance competing demands and concurrent matters, and respond in a timely and service-oriented manner for timely resolution of issues.
  • Ability to work effectively in a decentralized, matrixed organization, navigating institutional structures and bringing the right stakeholders into discussions as appropriate.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team while also leading initiatives and influencing outcomes without direct authority.
  • Demonstrated ability and willingness to learn new subject areas and develop expertise in emerging or specialized areas as needed.
• Preferred Qualifications: The following qualifications are preferred for this position:
  • Experience working in or advising higher education institutions, including with respect to the distinct legal frameworks governing faculty employment.
  • Experience working in or advising academic medical centers, hospitals and/or the healthcare industry more generally, including familiarity with the operational and regulatory complexity of healthcare organizations and medical staff employment.
  • Experience providing legal counsel and advice with respect to immigration law compliance as it relates to employees and/or students.

https://ogc.upenn.edu/

* Please submit cover letter and resume to be considered for this opportunity.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

President's Center

Pay Range

$152,625.00 - $250,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin(including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protectedunder applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours:Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay