Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Associate General Counsel, Labor & Employment serves as a labor and employment lawyer and serves as a strategic advisor to Human Resources and business leadership across the enterprise. Reporting directly to the General Counsel, this role provides practical, business-focused legal counsel on a broad spectrum of labor and employment matters, including employee relations, workplace investigations, employment litigation, labor relations, wage and hour compliance, leaves of absence, accommodations, policy development, workforce restructuring, and regulatory compliance.
The successful candidate will partner closely with Human Resources, Operations, and executive leadership to proactively identify and mitigate employment-related risks, develop compliant and scalable employment practices, manage employment disputes and litigation, and support the Company's talent and business objectives. This role requires a strategic thinker who can balance legal risk with practical business solutions in a fast-paced, multi-state manufacturing environment.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Employment Law Counseling & Business Partnership
Serve as a labor and employment legal advisor to Human Resources, business leaders, and executive leadership.
Provide proactive legal counsel regarding employee relations issues, disciplinary actions, performance management, reductions in force, restructurings, terminations, restrictive covenants, workplace accommodations, leave administration, and other employment matters.
Partner with Human Resources to develop legally compliant and business-focused solutions to workforce challenges.
Advise management on legal risks associated with employment decisions and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
Support organizational transformation initiatives, workforce planning, plant consolidations and closures, acquisitions, divestitures, and integration activities.
Participate in strategic business discussions and provide employment law risk assessments and recommendations.
Employment Litigation & Dispute Management
Lead the management of employment litigation, arbitrations, agency charges, and pre-litigation disputes.
Oversee matters involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour claims, wrongful termination, leave and accommodation disputes, and other employment-related claims.
Conduct early case assessments and develop litigation and resolution strategies.
Manage outside counsel and ensure legal matters are handled efficiently, strategically, and within budget.
Oversee mediation preparation, witness preparation, litigation holds, discovery coordination, and settlement negotiations.
Provide regular reporting to the General Counsel and executive leadership regarding litigation trends, exposure, and significant developments.
Labor Relations
Advise the Company on labor relations issues, including union organizing activity, collective bargaining negotiations, grievance management, unfair labor practice charges, and labor arbitrations.
Partner with Human Resources and Operations leaders to develop proactive labor strategies and maintain positive employee relations.
Provide guidance regarding compliance with the National Labor Relations Act and related labor regulations.
Support management teams during collective bargaining negotiations and labor-related disputes.
Investigations & Employee Relations
Oversee and conduct, where appropriate, sensitive workplace investigations involving allegations of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics concerns, workplace misconduct, and other employee issues.
Advise Human Resources and business leaders regarding appropriate investigation protocols and corrective actions.
Ensure investigations are conducted consistently, fairly, and in compliance with applicable laws and Company policies.
Identify recurring employee relations trends and recommend preventive measures and policy enhancements.
Employment Compliance & Policy Development
Monitor federal, state, and local employment law developments and assess potential business impact.
Draft, review, and update employment policies, employee handbook provisions, workplace procedures, and employment-related agreements.
Provide legal guidance regarding compliance with federal, state and local employment laws and regulations.
Develop and deliver employment law training programs for Human Resources professionals, managers, and leadership teams.
Partner with Compliance, EHS, and audit teams on employment-related compliance initiatives.
Risk Management & Legal Operations
Monitor and analyze employment litigation and employee relations trends to identify emerging legal risks.
Support budgeting, reserve reporting, and management of employment-related legal spend.
Evaluate outside counsel performance and oversee outside counsel relationships.
Develop and implement processes that improve consistency, efficiency, and compliance in employment law support across the enterprise.
Promote best practices in documentation, investigations, employee relations, and employment decision-making.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school
Licensed to practice law and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
12+ years of labor and employment law experience, including significant experience advising employers on complex employment matters.
Experience in manufacturing, industrial products, or construction/building materials industry preferred
Substantial experience managing employment litigation, including class and collective actions, administrative agency charges, and workplace investigations.
Demonstrated expertise in federal and state employment laws and regulations.
Experience serving as a trusted legal advisor directly to executives, senior Human Resources leadership and business leadership.
Strong experience managing outside counsel and legal budgets.
Ability to balance legal risk with practical business objectives and operational realities.
Exceptional analytical, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Proven ability to influence decision-making across all levels of an organization.
Substantial labor relations experience, including NLRB proceedings, collective bargaining, and labor arbitrations.
LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
Cornerstone Building Brands (CBB) Values and Behaviors & Mindsets – Act consistently with CBB’s Values (Safety, Integrity, & Inclusion) and Behaviors & Mindsets (Customer-Centricity, Interconnectedness, Continuous Improvement).
Communication - Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with ability to translate complex legal concepts into practical business guidance
Delivers Results – Prioritizes achieving outcomes without compromising values
Influences with Impact – Clearly communicates with confidence to drive action and build enthusiasm
Raises the Bar – Inspires growth by challenging limits and pursuing excellence
Knows the Business – Exhibits strong business judgment, understands priorities, and acts decisively
Manages Courageously – Adapts to change and effectively resolves conflict
Resiliency – Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
Hybrid