Position Title:  Legal Counsel, Employment Law ‎

What is the Opportunity?

The Legal Counsel, Employment Law will provide practical, business-oriented employment law advice to Aecon leaders, Human Resources, and operational teams across the United States, with a primary base in New Jersey. The role will support a complex, project-based and geographically dispersed workforce and advise on employment compliance, workplace investigations, employee relations, litigation and agency proceedings, policy development, and employment-related agreements.

The successful candidate will balance legal risk with operational objectives, translate complex requirements into clear recommendations, and help develop proactive and consistent employment practices across multiple jurisdictions. Experience supporting construction, infrastructure, project-based, or similarly operational workforces is a strong asset.

What You'll Do Here:

Employment Law Advice and Compliance

• Provide timely, practical advice on federal and multi-state employment law requirements.
• Advise on terminations, performance management, leaves of absence, accommodations, wage and hour matters, restrictive covenants, workplace conduct, and other employee lifecycle issues.
• Monitor legal developments and recommend proactive updates to policies, practices, templates, and compliance programs.
• Draft, review, and update personnel policies, employment-related agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, separation documents, and other templates.
• Partner with HR and business leaders to support consistent, legally compliant employment practices across jurisdictions.

Workplace Investigations and Employee Relations

• Advise on and support investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower allegations, workplace conduct, and other employment claims.
• Guide HR and operational leaders on investigation strategy, documentation, findings, remedial actions, and risk mitigation.
• Provide counsel on sensitive employee relations matters, including discipline, performance concerns, and terminations.
• Support conflict resolution and negotiation of employment-related disputes.

Litigation, Agency Charges and Outside Counsel

• Manage employment litigation, administrative agency charges, demand letters, and related disputes from initial assessment through resolution.
• Coordinate responses to federal and state agencies and advise on current agency procedures.
• Select, instruct, and manage outside counsel, including strategy, budget, work product, and business alignment.
• Identify key legal and business risks and develop practical resolution strategies with internal stakeholders.

Operational Partnership

• Provide employment law support to project, operations, and corporate teams in a complex, matrixed environment.
• Partner closely with HR, operations leaders, senior management, and other functions.
• Develop and deliver employment law training for managers and HR personnel.

What You Bring to the Team:

Qualifications and Experience

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school, with strong academic credentials.
• Current admission to the New Jersey Bar in good standing.
• Minimum 4 years of employment law experience.
• A mix of law firm and in-house experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting construction, infrastructure, project-based, and geographically dispersed workforces is a strong asset.
• Experience advising on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower matters, restrictive covenants, and other employment claims and investigations.
• Experience advising on terminations, leaves, performance management, wage and hour compliance, policies, and employment-related agreements.
• Experience managing employment litigation, agency charges, and outside counsel.
• Experience advising on multi-state employment law issues and implementing nationwide policies and practices.

Key Competencies

• Provide clear, practical advice that appropriately balances legal risk and operational objectives.
• Translate complex legal issues into actionable recommendations for stakeholders.
• Exercise sound judgment in sensitive, high-risk, and time-critical matters.
• Build credibility with HR, operations leaders, and senior management.
• Use a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach.
• Communicate legal risk clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate strong conflict resolution, negotiation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Manage multiple priorities, investigations, disputes, and advisory matters with attention to detail.
• Identify emerging legal risks and develop proactive, scalable compliance strategies.
• Operate independently while collaborating across a complex, matrixed organization.

Benefits

• Eligible for Aecon's Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP), subject to plan terms.
• Health Insurance Benefits (Dental/Medical/Vision).
• 401K (comprehensive match plan).
• Vacation - Paid Time Off.
• Wellness Benefit.
• Green Living Benefit.
• Tuition Reimbursement (eligibility may vary).

The expected pay range for this role is $175,000 - $185,000 USD per year.

Individual pay is determined based on several factors, including work location, education, experience, unique skills and job conditions. Other considerations may include certifications, specialized training, and the complexity or scope of the role.