Sr. Director, Employment Law, Orthopedics

Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson · Pharma · Raynham, MA +2

Sr. Director, Employment Law for DePuy Synthes, a standalone orthopaedics company being separated from Johnson & Johnson. This role provides strategic employment law counsel to business and functional leaders globally, focusing on workforce strategy, employee relations, protecting confidential information, and risk management during a period of transformation. Responsibilities include advising on organizational change, managing litigation, developing policies, guiding labor relations, and monitoring legal changes.

What you'd actually do

  1. Provide strategic employment law counsel to senior leaders and Human Resources partners on a wide range of workforce matters.
  2. Advise on employment-related risks associated with organizational change, restructuring, and business initiatives.
  3. Lead the management of complex employment litigation, claims, and government agency matters, partnering with outside counsel as appropriate.
  4. Develop, review, and interpret employment policies, practices, and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  5. Provide guidance on employee and labor relations issues, including investigations, disciplinary actions, and terminations.

Skills

Required

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school required.
  • Admission to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction required.
  • Typically a minimum of 10-15 years of progressively responsible experience practicing employment law in a law firm and/or in-house corporate environment.
  • Deep knowledge of U.S. employment and labor laws and regulations.
  • Experience with employment and labor laws internationally, including through working with outside counsel or in-house colleagues.
  • Demonstrated experience advising senior leaders on complex and sensitive employment matters.
  • Experience managing employment litigation and working effectively with outside counsel.
  • Experience managing non-compete and non-solicitation litigation.
  • Significant experience managing employee impacts related to reductions in force and either restructuring, acquisitions or divestitures
  • Strong business judgment with the ability to balance legal risk and business objectives.
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills and ability to present to senior executive leadership.

Nice to have

  • Prior in‑house experience within a large, matrixed, or highly regulated business.
  • Experience supporting manufacturing, life sciences, medical device, healthcare or global commercial organizations.

What the JD emphasized

  • employment law
  • employment litigation
  • organizational change
  • restructuring
  • divestitures