Global Employment and Labor Counsel

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

As a solutions-oriented, “hands-on” expert in employment law you proactively manage and mitigate global labor and employment legal risks and advises senior management. Reporting to our VP and Division General Counsel, and partnering closely with the Global HR leadership team, you provide ongoing legal counsel to senior executives and other business team members.

• Serve as primary legal counsel and trusted advisor overseeing employment and labor law matters, advising MKS on the full scope of US federal and state employment and anti-discrimination laws including FLSA, ADA, ADEA, Title VII, WARN, OSHA and the corresponding enforcement agencies

• Manage in-house EU labor/employment lawyer and provide support on issues relating to European Works Councils

• Manage and partner with international outside counsel on local employment and labor law matters

• Provide practical and business-oriented legal advice to the global HR team and business leaders on employment-related issues, including recruitment, hiring and terminations, compensation and benefits, wage and hour, disability accommodation requests, leaves of absence, investigations, performance reviews, disciplinary warnings, terminations, workplace safety, immigration, non-competition and non-solicitation, and international assignments

• Draft employment, separation, confidentiality and non-competition agreements as well as sales commission and bonus plans

• Manage and partner with outside counsel on employment and labor-related litigation, arbitration, and agency proceedings from inception to resolution

• Work with outside experts as needed to counsel the Total Rewards team on compensation and benefits law matters, including executive compensation

• Refine/develop human resources policies, programs, procedures and handbooks

• Collaborate with HR to develop and conduct training for HR and management on employment-related issues

• Provide support for M&A activities and other strategic transactions

• Ability to travel up to 15%

Skills You Bring:

• JD degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school and admitted in good standing to practice law in at least one state in the U.S.

• 10+ years of labor/employment experience at a law firm or in-house; combination of law firm and in-house experience preferred

• International experience in-house or with a law firm preferred

• Experience counselling clients on employment law issues, compliance, litigation/dispute resolution and risk management

• Experience litigating employment actions

• Experience with technology and manufacturing companies preferred

• US and international labor law experience preferred

• Strong interpersonal and excellent written and verbal communication skills; at ease in working in diverse/ multicultural environments, possesses a global mindset, including communicating and presenting at the executive level

• Excellent project management skills, with demonstrated ability to oversee complex projects and lead them to successful completion

• Resourceful and able to work independently and take ownership of work, but knows to seek guidance when needed

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Perform activities such as sitting, standing, or typing for extended periods of time

• Regularly requires good manual dexterity and coordination

• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand

• Must be able to exchange accurate information

• The ability to observe documents and details at close range (within a few feet of the observer)

• Operates in a professional office environment

• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery

• Noise level in the work environment is usually average

LA County Fair Chance Material Job Duties:

• In addition to the above responsibilities, the following are considered material job duties of the position:

• Ability to take and follow directions and instructions.

• Ability to interact with other employees, customers, suppliers, vendors, or the public, in a safe, professional, and respectful manner.

• Access to sensitive and confidential business systems and software, personally identifying information, the company’s financial information, and/or the ability to maintain physical security and safety.

• Because this position involves the above material job duties , trustworthiness, reliability, and good judgment also are material job duties.

We are interested in a qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we will not be sponsoring work visas for this position, at this time.

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

LA County Fair Chance Verbiage:

MKS will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers.

​ Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Pay Range:

Total Base Pay Range $210,900 - 391,700.00 per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. 

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].

Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.].

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Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: [email protected] .

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role